“Baby, no. I swear I’m being honest when I say I want you. I choose you. Not because you’re great with my daughter or because you keep me grounded on this tour, but because I like you. A lot.”
“Just…” She glances away. “Marlowe is, like, knockout gorgeous and really damn talented. My God, her voice is phenomenal. And I think she wants you again.”
I turn her to face me. “Marlowe is playing a part. She doesn’t want me, not really. She might regret ghosting me back then, but I think that’s as deep as it goes. She wants stardom and chart-topping hits, not domestic bliss and certainly not a man with a one-year-old.” I point to the crib. “And Layla and I are a set. My daughter is non-negotiable.” I lick my lips, nervous that Rory might not be on board anymore. “The question is, are she and I something you want?”
Her eyes get glassy. “Like I said, I can’t compete with Marlowe.”
Leaning down, I kiss her. “There’s no competition. You already won, baby. You already have me.”
A tear slips down her cheek. “If you’re sure you’re not settling.”
Cupping her face, I wipe it away with my thumb. “You’re not the consolation prize, Aurora. You’re the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.” That gets me a genuine smile. I kiss her again, soft and slow, until she sighs and kisses me back. “So tell me, how do you feel about dating a single dad with great taste in music? I hear he’s kinda cute.”
She chuckles and shakes her head. “I mean, you’re not a troll.”
There’s my girl. “Maybe not, but I feel like I smell like one right now.” I lift a brow. “Wanna take a shower with me?”
39
JACE
“We’ll never fit.”Rory starts to back out of the bathroom, and I grab her hand.
“You’ve said that before, and I proved you wrong.” She laughs, and I push her against the counter and kiss her. “Let’s just try. For educational purposes.” The shower might be compact, but this is a large bathroom for an RV with a normal-sized sink and counter.
Before she can argue, I grab the baby monitor and set it in the corner. Then I untuck my shirt and unbutton it. Toss it to the floor. Unbuckle my belt. Pop open my jeans.
When she doesn’t budge, I pat the counter. “Since you look like you’re gonna stay for the show, get comfortable.”
She points to the tiny shower. “We’re supposed to conserve water and turn it off when we soap… everything.”
Grinning, I shove down my jeans and kick them off. Until I’m standing in my boxer briefs. “So we’ll do that.” My sweet little librarian looks scandalized. “Come on, darlin’. Let me suds you up. It’ll be fun.” I could use some fun after the night we’ve had. I just want to reconnect with Rory, but I won’t push her. I holdout my arms. “Last chance.” Her eyes travel down my body, and I grin. My girl likes what she sees.
She reaches up and touches my wedding ring that dangles on my chest. “I suppose I could use some help scrubbing my back.”
Fuck yeah. I hook my thumbs in my underwear and wait for her to start stripping.
Her lips twist. “There’s a lot of light in here.”
“That’s the best part. That way I get to appreciate your great tits and beautiful ass.”
Her cheeks go red, and she rolls her eyes, but she reaches down for the hem of her shirt and yanks it over her head, which leaves her in a thin white bra. Her pretty nipples, which I plan to suck in about five minutes, poke through the fabric. She kicks off her shoes and shoves off her shorts. She’s wearing those white cotton panties with the pink bow. “Are you happy now?”
“Hmm.” I cross my arms. “Turn around.”
“Why?”
“So I can look at your ass. Obviously.”
I wait for her to balk, but she doesn’t. She nibbles her bottom lip but does as I ask. Fuck, she has a nice ass. Kneeling down behind her, I grab it and take a bite.
She squeals. “Oh my God. What are you doing?”
I lick the spot to make it feel better. “Biting your cute little booty.” When I stand, I grab her tits and run my nose up her neck. “Why do you always smell so good?”
“It’s called soap,” she says drolly.
I chuckle. “Smartass.”
