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I didn’t want to do anything that would mess things up with Roan. Not when his opinion could be the difference between me getting to be involved in the girls’ lives. I wanted to spend as much time as I could with Cassidy and Daisy while I was in town, but I didn’t think my lawyer would define being amicable with Roan as panting after him. Maybe even pretending I needed something so I could knock on his bedroom door in the middle of the night.
There was also the possibility that this was a test of some kind to see if I was only here to get what I could from Roan—like somewhere free to stay. Or so he could keep a close watch on me while he looked for a reason to keep me away from the girls in the future. “I get what you’re saying, but I’m not sure it’s the best idea.”
“I gotta disagree, Ava. I think it’s a fan-fucking-tastic idea.” His hazel eyes burned with sincerity, relieving some of my worry about his motivation for wanting me here. “Help me make the girls’ day. Let’s go back in there and tell them that not only are you going to the zoo tomorrow but you’ll also be staying right down the hallway from them all weekend.”
Canceling my reservation at the cheap motel would save me some money, even if I paid for stuff like the trip to the zoo tomorrow. And it would mean that I was staying somewhere safe and clean over the long weekend. “I mean…I guess you have a point about it being the right thing to do for the girls. If you’re sure, I guess I could stay here, at least until I need to head back to Jersey on Sunday night.”
“I can work with that answer…for now.”
Before I could ask what he meant, he tangled our fingers together and tugged me into the den, where Cassidy and Daisy reacted to the news as expected—with cheers and laughter.
5
Roan
Now that Ava finally agreed to stay, I swallowed a sigh of relief. I had a feeling I would have been dragging her back here anyway because, with her budget, I doubted the hotel she booked would have been safe. And having her near made it a hell of a lot easier for me to work on my plans for the future.
“Are your bags in your car, baby?” I asked as I held out my hand.
She nodded and dug her keys from her pocket. “Bag,” she corrected as she placed the keys in my waiting palm. “Since I’m only here for a few days.”
She lifted Daisy out of her chair again and made more funny faces at her. The baby’s belly laughter warmed my heart.
I was surprised to find only a small duffel in her car since most of the women I knew would have at least one big suitcase for a short weekend away. My sisters were notorious for overpacking.
After retrieving the bag, I observed her old, beat-up little car and frowned. The peeling paint and rust were the least of its problems. The taped-up window in the back, bald tires, and steady oil leak under the vehicle worried me more. I had no idea how she’d made it here in that thing. But I knew for certain she wouldn’t be driving it again. It wasn’t safe.
I shut the passenger side door and cursed when the loose handle fell partway off. As I walked back up the brick path to the front door, I pulled my cell from my back pocket and sent a quick text to a friend who owned several car dealerships. He replied quickly, telling me he’d put one of his assistants to work on finding the right vehicle for my woman.
With that done, I made my way back to the den and smiled at the sweet picture all of my girls made. Cassidy and Daisy were snuggled up to Ava again, captivated by her as she read them a story.
When she finished, Cassidy begged for another, but I stepped in. “Maybe later, sweet cheeks. Right now, I want to get your aunt settled in her room. Then we’ll order dinner.”
“Yay! Can we have mac and cheese?” she asked hopefully, blinking her pretty eyes and wrapping me even tighter around her tiny finger.
“Sure, sweet cheeks,” I said and then pointed a finger at her. “But you have to eat your veggies with it.”
“Awwww, Daddy…” she grumbled.
“Deal?” I raised an eyebrow, and she sighed.
“Deal.”
I heard a muffled laugh, and my eyes strayed to Ava whose shoulders were shaking as she buried her face against Daisy’s tummy.
My lips curved into a grin, and I shook my head. “You won’t find it so funny when you’re in charge of making sure she eats her vegetables, baby.”
Ava’s head popped up, and she smiled, hope shining clearly in her eyes. I knew she was assuming I was leaning toward joint custody, but since I didn’t think she was ready to hear the truth, I didn’t correct her assumption.
I canted my head in the direction of the doorway into the hall and waited while she returned Daisy to her bouncy chair. “I’ll be right back, Cassie-bear,” she said softly before brushing a soft kiss over her other niece’s blond curls.
She walked over to me, and I forced myself to keep my gaze on her face rather than the sway of her hips. But when we stepped into the hallway, I placed my hand on her lower back, just above her juicy ass. I felt as if my fingers were burning her skin right through her shirt, and desire licked at my nerves when a shiver skittered down her spine.
Shoving away my need, I guided her to the stairs and up to the next floor. The landing at the top was open to the floor below, separated by a black wrought-iron banister. To the right were the doors to Cassidy’s and Daisy’s bedrooms, as well as two other guest bedrooms with en suite bathrooms. To the left was my office, and the master suite, with a guest suite between.
I’d handed the decorating of my home over to my sisters and mother, but I hadn’t been happy about them setting up a guest bedroom right next to mine. Rather than argue, I simply hadn’t used it. Now, I was sending them silent accolades for their unknown help in keeping Ava.
I opened the door to the room and let her walk in first. Ava’s mouth opened, her eyes growing wide, as she turned in a circle, taking everything in. The walls were mint green and decorated with art in cream, distressed wood frames. The large oval mirror above the bed matched the style as well. There were two floor-to-ceiling windows on the wall opposite of us, both with long cream drapes that fell to the soft carpet in the same color. A comforter set in green and cream tones adorned the bed with a bunch of pillows set against a cream, tufted headboard. A wrought-iron chandelier was hung over the bed and the rest of the light would come from the matching sconces on the walls. There was a small area near the windows set up as a little reading nook with a green chair and iron end table. On the wall opposite the bed was a door that led to an en suite bathroom.
