Page 135 of Rescued by the Single Dad

Sure, there was a small ray of sunshine to this new publicity—if that’s what you wanted to call it: the pub was busier than ever, and their beer flew off the shelves all over the place.

But sales and business had never been bad. Nothing to complain about, anyway.

Now, they’d reached nearly an unsustainable level. If things stayed this way all summer, they’d have to hire more bar and kitchen staff. He’d have to consider upping production in the brewery and possibly hiring another person in there with him, too.

“Anyway, I just wanted to let you know. Jagger said he’d take Rocco to the ferry at noon, then Inez will be here at four, so by dinner time your life should be back to normal. No more house guests, no more media.” Her smile was fake and sad. Nothing but hurt and confusion simmered in her eyes. Hurt and confusion that Clint had caused. She swallowed again. “Thank you, Clint. For everything.” She took a hesitant step forward, and he pulled in a deep breath.

Her hands found his shoulders, and she lifted onto her tiptoes to press a kiss to his cheek. “I’m sorry things couldn’t work out differently.”

She turned to go, her hands leaving hot prints on his shoulders, but she hadn’t even taken a full step away before he grabbed her elbow and pulled her back into his embrace. His arms banded around her waist as she gazed up at him with lustful shock. Her lips parted just enough that he could feel her puffs of breath on his chin.

“I’m sorry,” he said, his heart in his throat. “I ... Jacqueline and I were terrible communicators. She just shut down when she was mad. So that’s what I learned to do, too. But it’s not right. It’s not fair to you. I guess I never really learned how to properly communicate in a relationship.”

Her brows hiked a little. “Is that what this is ... was?”

The word was stung more than he expected it to.

“It’s the start of something ... I thought.”

“You’ve shut down on me three times, Clint. I can’t do it anymore. You’ve got a lot of guilt and other issues to work through.” She cupped his cheek, her green gaze softening. “And that’s okay. But it might be better if you didn’t also have the stress that I’ve brought with me, adding to your woes.”

“You didn’t bring any—”

“I did,” she said with a nod. Her words, brave and vulnerable. Watery but unwavering. “We both know that. The press has been here endlessly. The gate is just barely keeping them at bay from coming up here. None of you need that. None of you deserve that. This is my monster, and the sooner I lead it somewhere else, the better. The safer you will all be.”

His grip on her elbow remained. “I want to be better at communicating.”

Even though her smile was small, he could tell it was real. Her eyes got that whimsical sparkle to them again that he loved so much. “That’s the first step, right? Wanting to be better. Wanting to change.”

“Don’t go,” he whispered, tugging her back into him by her elbow, until they were chest to chest.

She wore those cute little pajama shorts and tank top—but no bra.

“Stay.” He swallowed. “Please.” His heart pounded. Hers had to be pounding, too. Fuck. But as they breathed together, everything softened and turned so goddamn tender. He never wanted to let her go. He dropped his mouth to hers, and she opened for him, willingly.

Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pulled him down to her.

Everything was still tender.

Slow and deliberate.

Like they were trying to prolong their time together by whatever means necessary.

Her hot little tongue speared into his mouth, and she ground herself against him.

His brain threatened to short circuit.

Didn’t she come to tell him she was leaving?

He pulled his mouth away, both of them out of breath, and stared down at her.

Her smile was coy and sweet. “Closure?” She shrugged before reaching down to the hem of her tank top and pulling it over her head.

His throat bobbed hard.

He didn’t want closure. He wanted fucking forever.

She went for the tie of his robe and let it fall open, revealing his once again growing erection. He didn’t even have a chance to stop her before she dropped to her knees and pulled him into her mouth.

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