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One thought of Dakota’s full breasts and I’m hard again.
Fuck.
I take a sip of whiskey, letting the sting drown out all thoughts of Dakota. Except it doesn’t. All it does is push everything to the forefront of my mind.
I wish I had paid more attention to my mom and dad when they brought another baby home. The memory of changing diapers on Emmy Lou and Grady pops into my mind. Then another of me chasing them around the ranch. One minute threatening them if they didn’t listen, another laughing as I hauled them over my shoulders and spun them around.
They’re great memories. My family is outstanding. Like all my siblings, I’ve always wanted a big family, but being in the Marines, I figured it was never in my cards.
Homefelt far away from me when I was overseas. Sometimes it still does.
My hand goes to my chest, rubbing at the building ache.
Christ. What the hell am I thinking? Getting too close. Toointhis?
“Goddamn it,” I mutter as I accidentally add two pregnancy journals to my cart.
“Sitting in the dark drinking?”
I glance up at the sound of Ford’s voice. “Got nothing else to do.”
“I set those wolf traps along the road and back near the woods.”
“Good,” I mumble. “Hope we scare him off and that’s that.”
“Yeah.” Ford drops into a chair, kicks his boot up and raps the desk, causing Keena to bark. “How’s Dakota doing?”
I press my lips together. “She’s struggling. She’s sad.”
Ford hitches a broad shoulder. “Girls cry a lot when they’re pregnant.Remember Emmy Lou?”
I rub my brow. “Not that kind of sad.”
Ford cocks his head while evaluating me. “You sure you shouldn’t be in the gym right now? Because you look like you need to beat the hell out of something.”
“I’m fine,” I growl.
I go to close the tab on the window, but not before my nosy fucking brother catches a glance of the screen.
Ford gives me a doubtful look. “She’s having another guy’s baby, man.”
My teeth grate in irritation at the reminder. Especially since Ford’s the town crier when it comes to relationships. “And your point?”
“My point is how do you feel about that?”
My breath is a harsh exhale. I can feel my skin. On edge. Itchy. “How do you think I fucking feel?”
The knee-jerk snap of anger hits Ford hard, and he arches a brow.
He leans forward, smearing his long fingers over his jaw. “It ain’t your kid.”
But it should be.
The thought pierces like a dagger.
Dakota having another man’s child doesn’t stop me from wanting her. I’ve loved her this long and I won’t stop now.
“I don’t have time for a relationship,” I grunt.
