He chuckled before settling into an easy smile. “Fuck that job. Let me take care of you.”
“I told you I like my job.”
“That’s not exactly what you said. You basically said you hated it but were committed to it. You hate me, too, yet we have a mutual commitment. You know you’re never going to have to want for shit anymore. It wouldn’t matter if you didn’t have my child.”
“Well, I do, and I’ll be there bright and early in the morning.”
He chuckled. “Just tell me you want to be around your man and cut the bullshit.”
“Whatever.” I rolled my eyes but didn’t bother to try to hide my smile.
“I’m serious. I miss you and Jada already, and I’m still standing at your door.”
“Good night, Reed.”
“Don’t rush me. My daughter asked if I wanted to have a sleepover. I don’t think she wants me to leave, neither does mommy.”
“Boy, bye,” I said, shaking my head.
Grabbing my chin, he gave me a soft kiss on the lips. My mind never even gave me the signal to fight it. My body was all in, even if my heart still felt a little nervous about letting him access us again. I cursed my knees for buckling. My entire body was at odds with this situation. Thankfully, Reed didn’t seem to notice. He brushed his hand over his hair as he took a couple of steps back.
“See you in the morning, gorgeous. Kiss my baby girl good night for me.”
“I will.”
It took a lot to keep me from worrying about everything going on in the casino. Especially once I officially got Nick to move out. Well, that wasn’t exactly my doing because I had been counseling him for years about living in Cashville when he had a beautiful home. His wife got him to stop being here so much.
We had a competent team of people handling theday-to-day operations. I didn’t need to be there as much as I was, but I enjoyed mingling and building a rapport with the high rollers. They knew if anything came up, all they had to do was come to me. Plus, I could catch a show here and there.
Since we hadn’t replaced Darius yet, I dealt with the residents and whatever talent we had on schedule at the time. Lately, I found it hard to concentrate on anything other thanmy family. My concentration had been shot since the moment I realized I had a daughter.
Since meeting my precious little princess, every thought that wasn’t of Faith was consumed with Jada. I wanted to do everything in my power to let her know how much I already loved her. My baby would never have to wonder if I loved her. Faith wouldn’t come out and say it, but I had worn her down.
I’d spent the past three days with her and Jada. After the first night, I stayed long enough to tuck her in. Now I sat at my desk watching her pretend to be so engulfed in her notes. She refused to accept that there was nothing to find. I didn’t give a damn. All I wanted was my lady back. Leaning back in my chair, I watched her chew on the end of her pen for a few more minutes before I finally spoke.
“Come here.”
“What is it, Reed? I’m trying to work.”
“Are you working or trying to work?”
“I’m working. What do you need?”
“Come over here and see.”
She rolled her eyes playfully but stood from her seat and sauntered over to me. Her soft vanilla scent was a natural reset to my nervous system every single time she was in close proximity to me.
“What is it, Reed?” she asked, folding her arms across her chest like she was really intimidating somebody.
Taking the tablet out of her hand, I put it on my desk as I pulled her down. To my surprise, she only put up a little resistance before her plump ass landed in my lap. Today, she wore a red skirt suit that made her look aggressive, but it was just a front. My sweet baby was back.
“What’s on your mind?” I asked, nuzzling my nose into her neck. I loved her natural scent just as much as I loved her light perfume.
“Obviously, this report.”
“With everything that has transpired lately, that’s no longer obvious.”
“Well, thinking about it helps me to not have to think about the other obvious things.”
