Page 116 of Gabriel & Skye

“See, I’m not just a hot nanny after all.”

I chuckle, resting down on my elbows as she strokes my back. I could stare at her for all eternity and never get sick of it. “No, you’re the whole damn package.”

“Whatever happens with the Tiffany thing, just know I have your back. She can’t take Trinity away, so don’t go getting your panties in a twist.”

“We told the police.” It was the right thing to do. Who knows what that crazy bitch is planning. “And the teachers will monitor Trinity until we find Tiffany and find out what she wants.” None of it sits well with me. I don’t like it, and I don’t like knowing she’s in town. Which reminds me. “I should’ve called the motel, and Moose’s.”

She frowns. “What for?”

“If she’s in town, there’s only two places to stay.”

“Good idea. Call them first thing in the morning.”

“So, I guess we should get some sleep?”

She laughs. “I have to get up early, remember? Trinity will know I stayed if I don’t move my ass.”

“Sounds good. I think we need to figure out what we’re doing before we tell her anything.”

“I agree. The last thing I want is for her to be confused.”

It tugs at my heart that I can’t be affectionate with her in front of my daughter, but it has to be done. “I’ve never even taken you on a date, and here we are, declaring our love for each other.”

She shrugs. “When you know, you know. There’s no fancy dinner or bunch of flowers that could tell me you’re the man for me, Boss. We just have to work out where to go from here. And we will. It’ll come to us.”

“Don’t tell me you’ll send me a schedule,” I chuckle. “But I do want to date you. I also want to scream from the rooftops that you’re mine.”

“Does that mean I can tell your brother I’m off the market?”

I frown. “Which one?”

“Brooklyn.”

“That little asshole!”

She giggles, pulling me back down, planting a kiss on my lips. “He meant no harm.”

“I’ll wring his wiry little neck the next time I see him.”

“He is pretty cute — it runs in the family.”

“Please don’t talk about any of my brothers while I’m in bed with you.” I laugh.

“Why? Are you the jealous type?”

“You’ve no idea.” I kiss her, then roll off onto my back, bringing her with me as she snuggles into my chest. I’ve missed this. I haven’t had it for such a long time. We may have a long way to go, and I hope I’m not holding her back from North Carolina, but I can’t say I’m unhappy about it.

We have a future together. A very bright one, and hearing her say she loves me back is like music to my ears. I’ll do everything in my power to show her the man I am; warts and all.

I kiss her hair as she sighs. “Goodnight, Red.”

“Good night, Daddy.”

Home is wherever she is.

* * *

Mrs. Buckley — from Stoney Creek Motel — calls me before I’ve even had one sip of my coffee.

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