Page 51 of His Surrender

“I know,” I whisper, smiling as I wheel her toward the nursery. “Let’s get you looking pretty before everyone gets here.”

I finish tying the tiny bow around Liana’s head just as I hear a bedroom door open down the hall.

My heart gives an annoyingly familiar little flutter.

I scoop Liana into my arms and carry her into the family room.

Dean steps out of the hallway at the same time.

He’s traded his wrinkled work clothes for dark jeans and a fitted black V-neck sweater that somehow makes his blue eyes look even brighter. His dark hair is still slightly damp from the shower, and the clean, woodsy scent of his cologne reaches me a second before he does.

My body reacts before my brain has a chance to. Warmth blooms low in my stomach, spreading through my chest as I inhale a little too deeply.

As he walks closer, my brain takes me back to the two of us in the foyer. Rain dripping from my hair and the unmistakable heat in his eyes before he forced himself to look away.

Stop it. That was a week ago. We agreed to move on.

Dean’s gaze lands on Liana, and whatever expression was on his face completely melts away.

“Oh …” he says barely above a whisper.

He steps closer, smiling as he takes in the cream-colored dress with its embroidered pumpkins, the brown knit leggings, and the little crocheted slippers on her feet.

“Look at you. You look beautiful, sweetheart.”

Liana responds with a smile while kicking both legs.

“I thought she’d look cute in something a little more festive,” I say, suddenly feeling oddly self-conscious.

“Cute?” Dean lets out a quiet laugh. “She’s going to steal the show.”

My smile grows. “I was hoping she might.”

He reaches down and adjusts one of the tiny slippers that twisted sideways, and then he pauses. His hand stills, and his eyes lift to mine. “Where did this come from?”

“I picked it up this afternoon.”

“You bought it?”

I nod. “I was already out.”

His smile fades into something more thoughtful. “Aubrey …”

“It’s just a little outfit.”

“With your money.”

I shrug one shoulder. “I wanted her to have something special for tonight.”

For a long moment, he simply looks at me with gratitude. Then his expression changes, almost like he’s realizing something.

“I never gave you a company card.”

I blink. “What?”

“You’ve been buying things for Liana.”

“Oh.” I wave a hand dismissively. “It’s nothing.”