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“You’re not. It’s just, I’ve always wanted Addy to have these moments with her father…”
“If you don’t want me to step in—”
We’d stopped dancing altogether. “It’s not that. I promise. It’s just hitting me harder than I thought it would. I’m a little overwhelmed. I’m happy and sad for her at the same time. It should be her father who’s doing these things. But I’m struggling with the idea of it being okay if someone else does them instead, whether it’s my father or someone like you.”
“I don’t think it matters who does them. All that matters is that she’s loved and the people in her life step up in moments like these. Any one of my brothers would be there for her. My mom would, too. I wasn’t kidding when I said she has us on her side.”
“Thank you for that. We have our family, but it’s nice to be part of something bigger.” It felt like our family had expanded since we’d met the Monroes.
“Can we watch that Santa show?” Addy said when she came into the room with icing on her face.
“Just as soon as you wash your face.”
Knox chuckled as she raced out of the room. “She doesn’t do anything slowly, does she?”
“She’s usually in a rush.”
“Mom made some chocolate-covered popcorn earlier. Would you like that? Or should I make some fresh popcorn?”
“Chocolate-covered sounds amazing,” I said as Addy returned.
She picked up the remote and navigated through the menus until the show we watched yesterday was ready to go.
“Let me get the popcorn. You want anything to drink? I have water and juice.”
“Juice for me,” Addy said.
“I didn’t hear a please,” I said automatically.
“Please, may I have some juice, Knox?” Addy asked in a sweet voice.
“Of course, sweetheart. Coming right up.”
I helped Knox carry in the bowls of popcorn and drinks. Addy clicked start on the movie as soon as we were settled on the couch. Addy sat next to Knox, resting her head on his shoulder. He didn’t seem to mind that she snuggled up to him.
He took everything that came his way in stride. It made me like him even more. This time, when Addy fell asleep, Knox moved to take her upstairs right away.
When he pulled her door so that it was slightly ajar, he moved so that my back was against the wall, and his body pressed against mine. “I wanted all the time with you I could get.”
My heart thumped wildly in my chest. “What did you have in mind?”
“More of last night.”
“Yes,” I said as he kissed me. After a few seconds, my skin was hot, and my nipples pebbled with desire. He pulled back with a wink and grabbed my hand to pull me down the hall into his bedroom. He closed and locked it behind him. “Are you sure?”
I nodded. “I’ve never been surer of anything.”
He’d left the lights off, but the light of the moon was bright tonight and shone through the ample windows in his room. He kissed me as he backed me toward his bed, his hand flirting with the edge of my sweater until he finally pushed under, and his palm rested on my stomach. He was warm and big, and my stomach muscles fluttered under his touch.
His hand moved around to my side as he spanned my waist and kissed me deeper. I wrapped my arm around his neck, pressing myself into his body. I felt every hard ridge, his belt buckle digging into my stomach, but I didn’t care. I wanted to feel every inch of him. I wanted to savor this moment.
He eased back, lifting his shirt over his head and baring his upper body to me. My hands drifted lower, touching every hard ridge and valley of his body. I kissed him, loving how hot his body felt under my lips.
He was like a furnace, burning hot. I should have been afraid he’d sear my skin, but I was sure he was branding my soul instead.
“I love how it feels when you touch me.” His voice was guttural, spurring me on and making me brave.
I kissed his chest as his hands moved higher, palming my breasts. I paused, unable to move or think, while his hands and fingers caressed my breasts and rubbed my nipples through the lace of my bra.
