AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The low cries turned into a full-fledged wail and a sense of helplessness overtook him. Yes, he could buy anything for her, but what did he know about consoling a child or what to do when they were hurting or sick?
With a soft smile, Cassie looked back to him. “Sorry. I’m sure this isn’t the getaway you’d hoped for.”
Ian returned her smile and reached out to slide his hand over Emily’s back. “The only expectation I had was spending time with both of you. She can’t help that she’s teething.”
Her eyes studied him for a moment before she said, “I don’t know what I did to deserve you, Ian.”
“You deserve everything you’ve ever wanted.”
He wanted to say more, he wanted to do more and give more to her, but they were both in uncharted territory, and taking things slow was the best approach. God knew they hadn’t started out slow. Working backward might not have been the most conventional approach, but it was all they had to work with.
“Can you get in the side of her diaper bag and get out the Tylenol?” she asked.
While Cassie got Emily settled with pain medication and started to sing to her, Ian watched from the doorway. Had his father ever felt this way about him? Had the man wanted to be hands-on? Because Ian desperately found himself wanting to be more in not just Cassie’s life, but Emily’s, as well. He didn’t have the first clue about caring for children, but he wanted to learn.
How could he ever be what they needed?
But how could he ever let either of them go?
Fifteen
Thankfully, after a round of medicine and a short nap, Emily was back to her happy self. Cassie put on her bathing suit, wrapping a sheer sarong around her waist, then put Emily into her suit, as well.
Why waste time indoors when there was a beach and rolling waves just steps away?
“You ready to play in the ocean?” Cassie asked Emily as she carried her toward the back door. “You’re going to love it, baby girl.”
The open-concept living room and kitchen spread across the entire back of the house, and two sets of French doors led out onto the patio. Cassie stepped out into the warm sunshine and stopped.
At the edge of the water, Ian stood with his back to her wearing black trunks and flaunting his excellent muscle tone. The fabric clinging to the back of his well-toned thighs, his slicked-back hair and the water droplets glistening on his tanned shoulders and back indicated he’d already tested the waters.
The man was sinful. He tempted her in ways she never thought possible, made her want things that could never be. They couldn’t be more opposite, yet they’d somehow found each other. And they’d grown so close since their encounter in the attic.
The night of the lock-in had been filled with nothing but lust and desire. Now, though, Cassie was wrestling with so many more emotions. At the top of her list was one she’d futilely guarded her heart against...love.
She completely loved this man who had brought her to his home, shown her his piece of the world. But the clincher was when he’d assumed Emily would accompany them. He knew Cassie and Emily were a package deal, and he’d embraced the fact and still welcomed them.
How could she not fall hard for this intriguing man? He was nothing like her ex, nothing like any man she’d ever known, really. And that was what made him so special.
Emily started clapping and pointing toward Ian. Cassie laughed. “Yeah, we’re going, baby.”
Sand shifted beneath her toes as she made her way toward the man who’d taught her heart to trust again. Just the sight of him had her anticipating their night alone after Emily went to bed.
It wasn’t as if she hadn’t seen or touched him all over, but still, his sexiness never got old.
Emily squealed and Ian turned to face her. His gaze traveled over her modest suit and Cassie tamped down that inner demon that tried to tell her that her extra baby weight was hideous. Ian never, ever made her feel less than beautiful, so that inner voice could just shut the hell up.
“You look good in a suit, Cass.”
His low voice, combined with that heavy-lidded gaze, had her insides doing an amazing little dance number.
“I was thinking the same thing about you,” she told him with a grin.
“Mom, Mom, Mom,” Emily squealed again, clapping her little hands and staring out at the water.
“Can I?” Ian asked, reaching for Emily.
Handing Emily over, Cassie watched as Ian stepped into the water. Slowly, he waded in deeper, all the while taking his hand and cupping water to splash up onto her little pudgy legs. Emily’s laughter, her arms around Ian’s neck and seeing Ian bounce around in the water like a complete goofball had Cassie laughing herself.
