Page 77 of Perfect Imperfections

“I’ll share my chocolate with you as long as I get to eat my share off your sexy, naked, body.” He whispered the words in her ear in a low, sultry voice, causing a shiver to vibrate her body.

Since the temperature was currently seventy-five degrees out, he knew it had nothing to do with the weather and everything to do with the mental image he’d suggested. Seemed Ellie liked the idea. Good, because just suggesting it had him half hard. Since they were in a very public place and his daughter was currently a few feet in front of them, swinging the hand she had clasped in his brother’s, he needed to stop this line of thinking. They could experiment with all kinds of delicious, naughty desserts later. Right now, was family time. Smelly, wonderful family time.

They’d already explored half the zoo and were now headed to the aviary exhibit. His heart stuttered a beat when he caught sight of the penguin enclosure. The deep pool of clear liquid was scattered with bits of leaves and flowers floating on its surface. A few penguins were sunning themselves on the rocks, only one racing through the water. The tiny animal suddenly shot out of the water onto the ground, creating a ripple of small waves in the formerly still water.

His mind flew back to that day. He swore he caught a glimpse of a soaking wet Charlotte being held in Ellie’s arms. It still terrified him to think about it. What would have happened if Ellie hadn’t been there? Hadn’t dived in to save his daughter? He’d lost so many people in his life. He didn’t think he would have survived losing his daughter.

“Hey.”

Ellie’s soft voice broke through the dark fog he found himself in. She squeezed his hand gently.

“Are you okay?”

He turned his head, focusing on her. He pushed out all the fear of what could have happened, and concentrated on what did. Charlotte was fine because the amazing woman in front of him—holding his hand, sharing his bed—had saved her. Saved his daughter without knowing her, without a thought to her own safety.

“Yeah. I’m fine. It’s just…”

Her gaze flicked to the enclosure and back to him. “I understand. We don’t have to go in if you don’t want t—”

“Penguins! Daddy, the penguins!”

He chuckled. “Pretty sure we do.”

At least the event hadn’t traumatized Charlotte. Kids were resilient. Charlotte dropped Gavin’s hand, running over to grab his free one and tug it up and down with childlike glee.

“Daddy, can we see the penguins?”

“Sure, Angel. But let’s not get too close, okay?” Irrational as it may be, he still held a small bit of fear standing at the scene of her accident. He knew it wouldn’t happen again, but protective dad brain had taken over.

“I have an even better idea,” Ellie suggested, kneeling to get in Charlotte’s direct eye line. “How would you like to go inside and meet some penguins?”

“Really?”

“Yup. I bet there are even some treats in there you could give them.”

His daughter’s eyes lit up with excitement and she practically dragged him toward the aviary building. Ellie laughed, being dragged along as well since she still clutched his hand. His brother—never one to be left out—hurried after them.

Once inside the building, Ellie quickly took control, guiding them all to a dark grey door marked Employees Only. She slipped a card out of her back pocket, sliding it over the smart lock on the door. There was a soft beep, then she turned the handle and ushered them all into a large grey room lined with a big, chrome sink and countertop on one wall and a large industrial sized silver refrigerator against the back wall. A very tall woman with red, curly hair, khaki shorts and a shirt emblazoned with Sunlight Zoo Staff on the front looked up from her position in front of the sink when they came in. Her face broke into an enormous smile, and she lifted her arms out of the sink to reveal a pudgy penguin.

“Hey, Ellie! I didn’t know you were going to be here today.”

“Cam. What are you doing here?”

Right, Cam. The other woman he’d met the day of Charlotte’s accident and also Ellie’s best friend. He hadn’t spent any time with the woman, but Ellie had spoken of her fondly many times. Any friend of Ellie’s had to be good people.

“Gus called in sick.” The tall woman rolled bright blue eyes. “Sick my as—as if I believe that.” She corrected as her eyes fell on Charlotte and spoke in a hushed voice. “I know he went to Red Rocks last night for a concert. He’s sick, all right, but it isn’t from illness.”

“Why didn’t I get called in?”

Cam laughed. “They only needed one body to cover the shift, Doll-face. Besides, I knew you’d be…” The woman’s eyes shifted from Ellie to Sullivan and then down to their joined hands. A knowing grin ticked up the corner of ruby red lips. “Busy. And anyway, it seems you are here today. And with Miss Charlotte! How are you doing, sweetie?”

“Is that a real, live penguin?”

He looked over at his daughter’s awed tone to see her eyes, wide as saucers. She was frozen in place, like the time he gave her his grandmother’s gold necklace and told her it was a family heirloom and to be careful when wearing it.

“Sure is.” Cam smiled wide, crouching down with the black and white bird who seemed totally content in the keeper’s arms. “Charlotte, meet Bingo. He’s very old and very sweet. You want to pet him?”

“Oh, can I? Can I?”

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