Page 22 of Simply You & Me

Speaking of my heart, the fucker dances with joy, immediately accepting this eight-year-old girl as someone important. "I would love that, Peanut."

Her dainty nose scrunches. "You and Tate have to work on your nicknames."

I chuckle, readying to tease her. "Oh, and Z is so creative?" I actually love that she gave me the nickname. It's sweet and makes me feel important.

Rory bobs her head, but her attention snaps over my shoulder in the next beat. Her furrowed brow halts the humor of our moment. "Are you okay, Mom?"

I immediately stand and turn to find a very pale and shaky Addie shuffling into the kitchen. She didn’t look this fucking bad when she walked out of the living room a bit ago. I want to know what the hell happened in the time she spent in her fucking bedroom.

"I'm fine, honey," Adelyn murmurs.

Bullshit. Brushing by Julian, I ignore his worry. Without hesitation, I swoop Addie off her feet and into the cradle of my arms. I take a second to appreciate the squeak she lets loose before she settles. I swear I see her wince, but it's gone before I can truly see it. Unwilling to let her go, I take a seat at the dining room table.

"Julian, get me some crackers or something," I grit out, attempting to control my raging concern and need to take care of this little woman. Why is she so damn small?

Rummaging in the kitchen is background noise to Adelyn's soft puff of air against my shirt. Her eyelids droop a little when I run my pointer finger along the arch of her nose.

"That's nice," she whispers.

"No sleeping, Addie. You need to eat something."

Her lips purse, and the little slits of her eyes that I can see narrow. "You could say please."

Julian and Gabby chuckle in the kitchen while I smirk down at the beautiful woman attempting to snooze in my arms. "Where would the fun be in that?" I drop my head, directing my low, husky voice into the shell of her ear where only she can hear. "My little dolly is going to eat what I give her, isn't that right?"

Allowing space between our faces again, I see her wide eyes dilate with lust and hesitate with a smidge of confusion. I briefly wonder if she would allow this any other time. Would this beautiful woman let me hold her if she was feeling better? Before she can say anything, Julian sets down a plate of crackers, raspberries, cheese, Gatorade, and water. Nice.

My doll's hand lifts, but I'm quick to snatch it and nestle it on her lap. "Relax, Addie. Let me take care of you." She frowns again and looks to where her daughter and friend are messing around in the kitchen and ignoring us.

Using her mild distraction to my advantage, I grab a berry and swipe the tip across Addie's plump lips. She jolts in shock, her mouth making an 'O' shape. Dropping the raspberry in her mouth, she immediately closes her lips, surprised at the intrusion. Her reaction puts her in a new predicament; my thumb and pointer fingers are now trapped between her lips.

Her eyes flare, and I'm almost positive she's now aware of my hardening cock against her pert little ass. To my complete and utter fucking shock, her hot tongue swirls around each finger before releasing me.

"Fuck," Julian whispers, breaking the spell my dolly put me under.

Swallowing roughly, I watch her throat work the raspberry down. I continue feeding Addie until she won't open up for me any longer.

"I'm fine now, Zach. Thank you," she says, squirming to stand.

I reluctantly allow her to leave and watch like a fucking stalker as she walks into the kitchen. Rory turns to her mom and smiles when Addie bends to give her a hug with whispered words. Even from the dining room, I can feel the little girl's tension release when she's snuggled in her momma's arms.

"So." Julian clears his throat. "What the hell was that, man?"

I narrow my eyes at him and do my best to ignore how sexy he is with that damn smirk that drives me crazy. "That was me taking care of our woman." Feeling defensive, I add, "Aren't you here to apologize?"

Julian's expression dims a smidge. "Yeah, I was going to, but I think we should head out soon. Rory and Addie look exhausted and like they need some alone time." His eyes soften. "Zach, I wasn't judging you. It's just not something I ever thought I'd see from you. And if she is happy to give you that role in her life, then I'm thrilled for you both."

I'm stunned silent by his acceptance, which gives him the opening to place a gentle kiss on my lips. Snatching the back of his neck, I whisper, "Thank you."

Julian nods and gives me a small smile. "Now, let's get out of here and let our girls have some space, yeah?"

I hate it, but he's right. I'll just have to settle for seeing my peanut and dolly another time.

Chapter Fifteen

Julian

Why the hell am I so nervous?

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