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Taking her hand in mine, I gently press the cotton ball against her wound. She winces, letting out a low hiss at the contact.
“I’m sorry that hurt,” I say as I lean in and softly blow on the cut. The last thing I want is for her to be in any more pain than she already is.
“It’s alright. Your touch makes it better.” Her heated blue-green gaze meets mine, and I momentarily pause.
Taking care of Marlow brings me a sense of satisfaction that I’ve been missing. Now that I know what it’s like, there’s a part of me that yearns to be the one she trusts to heal all her wounds, the one to kiss away the pain.
I’ve tried and failed to maintain professional boundaries, and despite our best attempts at disregarding our feelings, an undeniable magnetic pull repeatedly draws us together.
I shift my focus back to her finger and tenderly pat the area dry with the towel before applying the antibiotic ointment and carefully wrapping a rainbow bandage around her finger.
“Thanks for saving me,” Marlow teases, her eyes still fixed on mine. “This has to be the coolest bandage I’ve ever gotten.” She nods to her finger.
“You have Lola to thank for that.” I close the lid of the alcohol and set the used cotton ball on top of the towel. “If it’s not from Bluey, a unicorn or rainbow, she wants nothing to do with it.”
Marlow laughs. “She’s just a girl who knows what she wants, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.”
I place my hand over her uninjured one. “Lola is a spirited kid, and it can be challenging for people to relate to her. Kendra was her nanny for two years and was often at her wit’s end because Lola had specific preferences for how she liked certain things done. But not you. From day one, you’ve accepted her for who she is, and I appreciate that more than you’ll ever know.” I idly draw circles on the back of her hand with my thumb, appreciating the warmth of her skin against mine.
“I know what it’s like to be judged for doing things differently than others. As a kid, I wished more than anything that I had someone willing to be patient and see things from my perspective.” Marlow tucks her hair behind her ear. “I want to be that person for Lola. She deserves nothing less.”
I stare at her with awe. Marlow possesses a unique gift for recognizing the positive in people, and my daughter is no exception. She consistently showers Lola with sincere compliments and words of encouragement, and I couldn’t be more appreciative.
I’m captivated by this confident woman who views the world through a kaleidoscope of colors. God, it’s no wonder I’m falling for her when she’s so caring, generous, and cheerful. I admire that she marches to the beat of her own drum, refusing to let the world tell her who she should be. Little by little, she is making her way into my heart, and she’s completely unaware of it.
A blush rises to Marlow’s cheeks as I reach out to caress her jaw, tracing her lips with my fingertips as silence lingers between us. Her eyes shimmer with the same longing echoing in mine.
“I wish I could kiss you right now,” I whisper.
More than anything.
“But you can’t because Lola’s in the other room,” Marlow says. “We’re in way over our heads, aren’t we?” She briefly shuts her eyes and inhales deeply.
“Hey.” I press a kiss to her forehead, encouraging her to look at me. “We’re just two people who know what we want, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that,” I say, quoting her words from earlier.
“And what is that you want?” she asks, her gaze filled with uncertainty. “We’ve tiptoed around this conversation for weeks, and I don’t think you’ve ever said.”
“For starters, I really want to kiss you, and if we’re being blunt”—I glance down the hall to make sure Lola’s still in the other room—“I want to strip you bare and fuck you.”
Marlow’s breath hitches at my admission. As I study her, the curves of her breast taunt me. Her plump lips are slightly parted, tempting me to kiss her and draw out an inhibited moan from that fucking sexy mouth of hers.
“I want that too,” she admits as she places her hand over mine. “But I’m still not sure where that leaves us.”
“Who says we have to define anything right now? We’re two people drawn to each other and there’s nothing wrong with wanting to explore that. I’m tired of fighting this, aren’t you?”
Why can’t I bring myself to ask Marlow to be in a committed relationship? The last thing I want is for her to see other people, yet a shadow of doubt hangs over me, warning that if this doesn’t work out, I’ll be left alone again.
Marlow nods. “I don’t want whatever this is”—she motions between us—“to affect Lola negatively. She’s your number one priority, and that’s how it should be. Can you promise me that however this plays out, you won’t use it against me? I’d like to be her nanny for as long as I’m in Aspen Grove… if you’ll have me.”
A heaviness settles in my chest at the thought of her moving away.
“Of course I want you to be Lola’s nanny for as long as you’d like. Besides, Lola and Waffles would revolt if we tried separating them.”
“I think you’re right.” She nervously bites her lower lip. “I wanted to ask, if you’re open to it, I’d like you to continue training Waffles.”
“Really?” My face freezes in disbelief. After my failed attempt last Friday, I wasn’t sure she’d want me to try again.
“Yeah, you were right. It’ll do him some good to learn to listen to commands.”
