Hot.
Ash refocused on me and draped an arm around my shoulders. “So, on a scale from one to ten, how was your first visit to Mclean House?”
I snickered. “A solid ten points. But it’s House Mclean.”
“So brats keep sayin’.” He dipped down and kissed my temple.
I wanted so much more. Hell, I was already desperate. The stars just had to align first, and we were only missing one.
“For the record,” I went on, “ten points doesn’t mean it wasn’t hard at first. I was so nervous that I’ve decided James needs to give me a batch of cookies and a Dachshund puppy.”
He found that way too funny for my liking!
“You think that’s a fair reward for visiting your next playground?”
“You don’t know how nervous I was, Sir!”
He rumbled a laugh and hugged me to him.
The sheer comfort he exuded in every hug was something else. He was so big and strong and warm and kind and funny.
“I missed you today.”
Oh my gosh. I inched back and peered up at him. “You did?”
He smiled and kissed me on the cheek. “Sure did. And all kidding aside, I’m proud of you for coming out here on your own. I know it wasn’t easy.”
It was insane how strongly I reacted to his words. The shift in my brain was instantaneous, and the Little in me that I’d tucked away temporarily skidded out on his socks and shouted hello. Tension left my shoulders, filters came tumbling down, and the world became a better place.
“I’m also proud of you for standing up for your friend,” he murmured. “And for trying to prevent the fight.” He slipped his hands down my arms and cupped my elbows. “Which one did you use?”
Use for what? Oh, for…
I lifted my right elbow more.
“This one?” He inspected it before dropping a kiss there. “We’ll have to keep an eye on it. Nobody’s allowed to give my boy bruises without my permission.”
I swallowed, unable to stop staring at him.
Slight problem. What if I developed deeper feelings for him?
“Ash?” That was James’s voice. I glanced back at him as Ash lowered my elbow and kept me close. “You might wanna haul ass.”
“What?”
James jerked his thumb over his shoulder. “I think I just saw Nathan.”
Oh my gosh.
“You didwhat?” Ash immediately rose to his feet. “Here? Now?”
“I was behind the bar, and he walked through the club area,” James elaborated. “I recognized him from your photos. He stopped short right here in the doorway and turned back.”
“Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, he probably saw us, Daddy.” I rushed out the words and grasped his hand. “You have to go after him!”
I could see the stress in his face, but he was momentarily frozen. Stricken. So I squeezed his hand, and he flicked his gaze to me. But I wasn’t sure he was actually seeing me. His jaw ticked.
“Go to him,” I urged. “Get out of here. Get babysitters. Make sure you get him alone, and don’t let him escape. Tell him everything.”
