I blinked, taken aback that he’d be worried about me like that, and more tears dripped down my cheeks. “No. He’s manipulative and self-centered, but I don’t think he’s dangerous.”
“Okay.” He held me tight for a moment longer, then prompted, “What else is happenin’, darlin’?” His voice was deep and rumbly, the drawl unmistakable.
I huffed out a laugh that held no humor, and my lip wobbled, my tears starting again. He ran his hand over my hair and gentlypulled me closer. I let go of his shirt and wound my arms around his waist, then nuzzled into the crook of his neck. He let out a rumbly purr, and I held him tighter. It was easier to tell him about the confusing mess in my head when I didn’t have to see his reaction to my words.
“He says he’s thinking of our kids—his son and my daughter. He wants Hannah to grow up with a brother. He’s contacting me all the time. Last night he telephoned nonstop for thirty minutes after we got home from the game. Even when I told him I was busy, he still kept calling.” I didn’t wait for Miller to respond before I continued. “He told me he wants to make amends. He said he’s trying to communicate openly with me and just wants what’s best for the kids. He wants them to have a father. Neither of us had one—he wants to do better. He wants to get back together for the kids.”
“Do you love him?” Miller asked, his arms still tight around me, comforting me.
“I hate him,” I admitted without hesitation. The weight I’d been carrying lifted. I didn’t still love him. My confusion and fear were unfounded. “I hate how he betrayed me and how I don’t think he’s intending to stop with two of us. I hate myself for being too blind to see our marriage was falling apart. I hate how he made out that I’d encouraged him to pursue Amanda, even though I hadn’t, and how he’s now turning it all around and making out that I’m the one betraying our vows when it was all his fault.”
I sucked in a wobbly breath, and Miller slid his big hands into my hair and kneaded my scalp, slowly massaging it. I groaned and melted against his sure touch.
“I don’t want him. I don’t love him anymore. But I need to think about Hannah too. She’s never had a father. Maybe she needs one. I don’t know if I’m enough. Maybe if I gave him a second chance, things could be different.”
Miller grunted and asked, “Do you really believe that?”
My shoulders slumped as I exhaled. He wrapped me in his arms again, and I shook my head. “No. He doesn’t want to break up with Amanda. He wants all of us to live together like some sister-wife deal. I wouldn’t put it past him to try to add more women to his little harem.” I fought down the bile that was creeping up my throat. “But it’s not all about me, is it?”
“I don’t know anything about having kids. I’m barely a functional adult—Spencer wants to kick my ass most days—but y’all shouldn’t settle, Keeley. Hannah won’t be better off with her daddy there if you’re miserable. You’re enough. Y’all’re more than enough.”
I pulled back, shifting my hands to his sculped chest, and looked him in the eye. He was so genuine and serious. There wasn’t an ounce of joking in his tone. My heart squeezed. God, if a man like him loved me…
“Am I being unreasonable? Should I give him another chance? Does he deserve it?” I ran my hands down his chest without thinking, reveling in his warmth and strength. “I just don’t know,” I added as an afterthought.
He grasped one of my wandering hands, then brought my knuckles to his lips and kissed them softly. “Will you wonder what he’s doing every time he walks out the door without you? What about when he’s in the other room with his girlfriend? Will you think about that every time he’s inside you?”
I sucked in another breath, his words hitting like a punch to the gut, and tears sprang to my eyes again. He reached up and wiped them with his thumbs, letting go of me for only a moment before wrapping me up tight again. Every muscle relaxed the moment his arms were around me once more. I hadn’t even realized I’d gone rigid.
“Y’all deserve someone who’ll worship you. Your ex sounds like a rattlesnake.”
I couldn’t help my huff of laughter.
He gripped my chin gently and brushed his lips over my forehead. Electricity zapped through me, and I melted into his touch.
“Miller,” I whispered.
“Shh,” he said. “I know what y’all’re going to say. But let me talk for a minute.” I relented, and he smiled softly at me. “You’re so pretty. Y’all look like an angel. I know you probably think I’m as dumb as a fence palin’, but I believe in fate. There was a reason why I got kicked out of the Blizzards. It was you, darlin’. We’re meant to be. Choose us over him.”
I wanted to believe him so very much. I wanted to pretend just for a moment that I wasn’t so damaged. I pulled away from him and wiped my cheeks with the heels of my hands, giving him my back.
“You’re married,” I whispered, wrapping my arms around my middle again.
“I am,” he agreed.
I spun around, that familiar wave of disappointment crashing into me again. We couldn’t be together, so I should be grateful he’d acknowledged his husband. I still couldn’t help wishing there was a chance. But I said, “It’s not possible.”
Instead of leaving, he sprawled out in my visitor chair, making himself comfortable. His gentle smile was at odds with the way he owned the space. I stared at him for a moment, and his smile slowly morphed into that cocky grin of his. “I’ll just wait here until y’all realize that anything’s possible.”
He was back to being too dangerous for me to be around. My insides clenched tight, and my pussy throbbed at his wicked tone. I shivered and said, “Be serious.”
“I am. I'd do just about whatever y’all asked me to do.” He wiggled his brows, and I bit back a reluctant smile.
“Be good,” I chastised, but my tone was missing its bite.
“Bein’ naughty is so much more fun.” His grin turned devilish, and I couldn’t help smiling back. He knew exactly what to do to make me laugh, pulling me straight out of my spiral. He was adorably annoying. “It doesn’t have to be a thing, you know.”
“What doesn’t?” I asked, confused.
