Page 10 of Piece Of Me

Taz Pullman couldn’t hide his surprise. “Candy?”

“All the way from Canada.”

“Must be damn good candy.”

“It is.” A spark of something rifled through her. “And I don’t share.”

“That a challenge?”

She lifted her chin. “Just the truth.” For a few moments there was silence between them, then Taz cleared his throat.

“I’ll grab your bag.” Before she had a chance to reply Taz strode over and scooped up the large baby tote at her feet. When he stood, he was inches from her. He was something else, no two ways about it. His pull was magnetic, and she realized being in his orbit was dangerous. Her breath hitched at the back of her throat, and she didn’t breathe until he stepped back and winked.

“I have to warn you, the backyard and pool look like a Pepto Bismol nightmare and the barn’s even worse.”

“I can see that,” she managed to murmur, glad to find her voice.

Just then a pink tornado grabbed him from behind. “Daddy, we want to go in the pool.” Silky brown ringlets danced around a little girl with eyes that looked at Taz with the kind of adoration children can’t hide. Dressed in a pink bathing suit that featured a ruffle around the waist, she jumped up and down excitedly, and pulled on his arm. It took her a few seconds to notice Scarlett, and when she did her eyes widened.

“You have purple hair,” she whispered, yanking harder on Taz’s arm. “I want purple and pink hair.”

He laughed. “That’s not going to happen.”

“Who are you?” she asked shyly, leaning into her father.

“Manners,” Taz said lightly. “We introduce ourselves to our guests, remember?”

“I’m Cameron,” she replied, a small frown on her face. “I never seen you before.”

Scarlett hid a grin. “I’m Scarlett.”

“This is daddy’s new friend,” Taz said, eyes on Scarlett.

She hoped her cheeks weren’t as red as they felt.

“Is that your baby?” Cameron asked.

“Yes.”

“Is it a baby boy?”

Scarlett nodded. “His name is Hank.”

“Does he like Barbie?”

“He’s a boy.” That was from Taz.

“Boys can like Barbies.” Cameron looked up at Taz. “Mitchell at the daycare has four of them.”

“Does he now.” Taz slung Scarlett’s bags over his shoulder and slid Cameron’s hand into his. “Come on, let’s get you in the pool.” He glanced her way. “You coming Miss Scarlett Bridgestone?”

She didn’t think this was a good idea but knew she was past the point of sneaking home with no one the wiser. “You have my bags, so I guess I am.”

His smile was pure magic, and she felt the effects as she watched him stroll toward the house, the little girl at his side chattering the whole way. The bond between them was obvious, and there was something insanely attractive about the tall, handsome man and a daughter who made no effort to hide how much she adored him. Scarlett couldn’t take her eyes off of them.

And that was a bit of a problem. These thoughts. That smile. These feelings.

She assumed her reaction was because she hadn’t been touched in over a year. Not since…she scowled, nope, she wasn’t going to say his name. But the fact that she hadn’t had sex for so long was a concern when faced with a man like this one.

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