Page 43 of Break Out

The moment felt like a bubble growing between us.

Until Dad cut through it like a knife. “Are you leaving yet?” he asked.

Steel cocked a brow at him. “I know she’s your daughter, but she’s an adult. No need to see me out of her space.”

Dad low-key glared at me.

I shrugged. “It’s fine, Dad.”

“It isn’t,” he fumed.

After a moment I understood and shook my head. “That isn’t happening, Dad. And just to say, I can’t get more pregnant.”

Dad spoke through clenched teeth. “Not fuckin’ funny, Simone.”

I twisted my hands up. “If I don’t laugh, I’ll cry. So… sorry, not sorry.”

“Give me a hug before I leave.”

I closed the door behind Dad after hugging him.

Steel hadn’t moved from the mouth of the hall where he’d stopped me earlier. He stood there, his straight white teeth pressing into his lip.

After a groaning sigh, he said, “I’m not taking Warden or Jackhammer off you.”

“Who’s Jackhammer? Dad only mentioned Warden.”

He had his arms crossed, and it accentuated how hot he was in his cut. “They’re both brothers from Jacksonville. Get used to them.”

“I don’t need—”

“Non-negotiable, Jade.”

My lips twisted to the side to hide my confusion.

“What’s that look for?”

“I’m wondering why you had to bite your lip when thinking about my protection detail.”

He dropped his arms and stepped toward me. “If I’m thinking about you, it’s always a struggle.”

“Right,” I muttered.

The sexiest smolder hit his eyes. “It is right. I struggle to keep my hands, my lips, and other parts of me away from you.”

My chin dipped and I shot him a skeptical look. “You’re besting that challenge as we speak.”

He laughed and came two steps closer. Four feet separated us. The more I stared at him, the more my breasts tingled… and I felt the same struggle.

My more rational side reminded me that saying there was a difference between not wanting parenthood and not wanting the baby was bullshit. A baby and parenthood went hand in hand.

I had to keep that at the forefront of my mind because it meant more than this crazy attraction.

“You raising the baby in a college town?” Steel asked.

I shook my head. “I’m moving into a place in Jacksonville next week.”

He stroked his chin. “Your parents going to help out?”

---