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“I think there’s something here I can’t get anywhere else in the world.”
He backed her up against her car and put his hands on her hips. “And what is that thing, Gracie?”
She gave a long, dreamy sigh. “The sloshy. I had one on my date with this hockey player I met, and it was delicious.”
“Is that right?” He was dangerous in so many ways, but none so wicked as that sexy, playful grin.
“You have the best smile. I want to lick it like an ice cream cone.”
“Well, then, it’s good you like ice cream because I’ll need you to do a lot of licking.” He framed her cheeks with his hands and kissed her. Deep, sensuous, the kiss lifted her out of her body and sent her floating. His mouth was soft, warm, and slick. His tongue teased hers into play, and she wanted to climb him like a tree.
She was in a parking lot, though, and so she gently pulled away. “If I didn’t have to get to work, I’d want you in the back of my car so I could lick you somewhere else.”
“If I didn’t have a conference call in five minutes, I’d let you.”
ChapterFourteen
It wasfour in the morning, and Jaime threw back his covers. Eager to get to the Dream House and see Gracie, he headed into the bathroom to wash his face and brush his teeth.
When he caught his reflection in the mirror, his daughter’s words popped into his mind.You’re the Beast.
She had her princess dress, but she didn’t have a prince. And she sure as hell didn’t want to take the Beast to a dance.
Worse, she had a dad who held her back. Jumped straight to worst-case scenarios when all she wanted was to throw herself into the things she loved. He’d never have seen that if it hadn’t been for Gracie.
I want to be better for my daughter.
I want to be her prince.
Determination took hold, and he grabbed his razor and shaving cream. First, though, he trimmed his beard. After he made it more manageable, he squirted the cream onto his palm, rubbed his hands together, and then lathered up his face. He worked until he removed every last trace of the scruff he’d worn for a decade. Finished, he dried himself and rubbed his now-smooth jaw.
But he still didn’t look like a prince. Not with hair that brushed the collar of his shirt and was as messy as if he’d been riding his motorcycle on the Gallatin Road.
You’re more one-percenter than Hallmark hero.
He couldn’t believe how badly he wanted to be Kinny’s and Gracie’s hero.
Cut it.
Dropping the towel in the sink, he left the bathroom. He didn’t keep scissors in the cabin because he didn’t want Kinny to get a wild hair up her ass and start cutting clothes, furniture… her bangs.That’s ridiculous.
What have I been doing to this kid?
He turned on the baby monitor, grabbed his end of the device, and headed out of the cabin. He was so eager to get the job done, he nearly broke into a jog. When he burst into the big house, he heard the music and breathed in the scent of bread baking. A rising sense of purpose flowed through him.
Ten years ago, he’d barricaded himself inside this mental cave, the four walls nothing but movie screens replaying Booker’s landing. Then, she’d crashed into him, this bright, sunny woman with a passion for baking—a passion for me.Just by being herself, she’d drawn him into the sunlight.
I need her.
He stalked into the kitchen and, as always, came to a hard stop. The sight of her was like taking a hockey puck to the chest. She was the dream he’d never allowed himself to have.
This morning, she was wearing black leggings and a cropped white T-shirt. It revealed a slice of her abdomen, and he flashed back to the night before when he’d had her naked, his mouth, his tongue, his fingers exploring every inch of her.
Fuck, but she was responsive.
As much as he wanted her, she was working, and he was on a mission. He’d leave her alone.
He pulled open a drawer and sifted through the ladles and spatulas.No scissors. He tried another one. It had corn on the cob skewers, a whisk, measuring cups and spoons.
