Page 99 of Rescued by the Single Dad

He smiled and leaned into her touch, inching a little closer and running a hand affectionately down her side. When he cupped her butt, there was no sexual suggestion in his touch, just affection. She welcomed it.

“You’re making it damn near impossible not to fall for you, Brooke Barker. After the way you helped Talia today ...” Desire burned in his gaze. They had the bedside table lamp on, and she could only make out the white flecks in his irises. His pupils were dilating, black invading the blue. “I couldn’t have helped her like that. Yes, my mother passed away, but I was an adult when it happened. She was here for all my major milestones. Your mom and Jacqueline weren’t. Thank you for helping her. For reminiscing with her by looking through photos. I’m sure that couldn’t have been easy.”

Brooke tilted her head to the side. It wasn’t effortless since she was lying with her head on a pillow. “Why do you think it was difficult?”

His shoulder lifted. “Because they were pictures of my wife.”

“Who was beautiful and, from what I could tell, an amazing mother. I’m not jealous. If anything, I’m intrigued. Those albums gave me a greater glimpse into your life.”

“She was an incredible mother. She loved Talia with every ounce of her being.”

“As a mother should.”

His fingers drew lazy circles on the top of her thigh. “Do you want kids one day?”

Heat and need ignited inside of her. They’d been operating under the assumption that this was temporary. And now he was asking her if she wanted kids? You didn’t ask a temporary lover questions like that, did you?

You also don’t tell a temporary lover that you’re falling for them ...

Touché.

She nodded. “One day. I don’t really care how it happens, though. You know? Like I don’t need the kids to be mine. Adoption or foster or ...” She let him fill in the blanks. She also needed to change the subject. “How did your visit go with your dad?”

His face brightened. That one dimple came out to play, and her lower belly warmed and fluttered. “It was one of the best visits I’ve had with him in a long time. He thought I was his brother, and I played along. But our conversations were real. You know?”

“That’s so great. Thank you again for picking up Rocco and letting him stay here.”

“Have you seen our crazy clan? What’s one more?”

That made her smile. She loved his crazy clan. She’d only really gotten to know Jagger and the children, but the other three brothers had popped up to the house to introduce themselves. They all seemed great. Hands-on dads who were doing the best they could given the circumstances.

“You’re still sure about Rocco telling Sergeant Fox that you’re alive?”

“If you think we can trust him, then yes. Having a cop as an ally might draw out my attacker.”

“I think we can trust him,” Clint said. “He’s former military, too. Was a marine.”

“Oorah,” she said with a giggle at the end.

He rolled on top of her, caging her beneath him. “Oorah,” he repeated, brushing her hair off her face. “We don’t have to do anything tonight. I just want to make sure you’re okay.”

Looping her arms around his neck, she spread her legs so he could settle between them. “I was tired and needing sleep.”

“Was?” He hiked a brow.

“Yeah, was.”

“Now?”

“Now, I want you to make me forget about everything but who you are and how lucky I am to have washed up on your beach.” Then she pulled him down to her and took his mouth, savoring the minty flavor of his toothpaste and the way being with him, covered by him and adored by him, gave her a sense of unparalleled peace.

Clint did just like she asked. He made her forget the entire world and just focus on him, focus on them, and how everything made sense when they were together. When he was inside of her.

Before she fell asleep in his arms, with his lips against her shoulder, she had to keep herself from saying the words that practically bellowed in her heart out loud.

So she said it in her head. “I love you, Clint McEvoy.” Then drifted off to sleep with a smile on her face, surrounded by Clint’s protective embrace, because there, she knew she was safe.

The next day, after Talia went to school and Clint went down to the brewery, Rocco and Brooke sat on Clint’s couch and called Sergeant Fox.

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