Page 40 of Wildest Dreams

I delicately try and scoop Lainey off my bare chest and hold her out for Dixie to take. Her ocean blue eyes widen, one hand still pinched at the top of her towel.

She stands helpless and I internally kick myself.

“Shit, of course,” I curse under my breath, turning and laying Lainey down in her crib instead. The urge to brush my fingertips through her soft brown hair is strong but I resist.

Standing tall, I walk towards the door, Dixie pushed against the wall trying to keep me at a distance. Giving her a soft nod, I push the handle down and disappear out of her room and straight into the bathroom.

My skin tingles when her scent is still floating around the bathroom. I shouldn’t feel like this. She hurt me.

Broke my heart into a thousand pieces.

Hate her for it.

Stripping my jeans off my tired legs, I drag myself under the shower and wash the day from my skin.

I needed my bed.

Tomorrow was the start of a new week.

The countdown to the funeral.

Five days to get through and then Dixie will be out of my life.

It’s just five days.

Five. Long. Tedious. Days.

And from tomorrow, we were going to be working together. I’m going to make sure Riggs puts her far away from me.

Her sad beautiful blue eyes are enough of a temptation to drag me back to her. I promised myself if she ever did return, I wouldn’t even spit on her if she was on fire.

Well, she’s back.

And I am not going to fall for her again.

I would keep that promise.

My alarm screamsat five a.m. Hitting the top of the clock, I groan as I roll onto my back. Sunrise hasn’t quite peaked yet and if I can drag my ass out of my warm bed, I can have my coffee on the porch and watch as it greets the day.

Kicking my legs out, I twist and sit on the edge of the bed, scrubbing my face and the sound of my beard scratching against my skin has me realizing I need to shave. I’ve let my stubble grow a little longer than I normally would, and honestly, I am kind of feeling it. It’s been a shitty few weeks and me shaving has been the last thing on my mind.

Scrunching my toes into the rug that lay under my bed, I give myself another minute before I push up, raiding my closet before tiptoeing across the hallway. My wandering eyes drift to her bedroom and I see her door ajar.

Furrowing my brows, I keep moving towards the bathroom and get myself ready for the day.

Moving downstairs, I am the only one awake. Walking into the kitchen, I notice the coffee pot is warm. Crinkling the bridge of my nose, I reach up for my mug and place it under the spout, pushing the button and letting it heat up.

My fingertips drum on the countertop, the soft trickle of coffee the only other noise filling the large house.

Once done, I curl my fingers around the mug and move towards the front of the house and notice the door is already unbolted. My skin pricks and an uneasiness settles in my stomach.

I debate grabbing my dad’s shot gun from the cabinet in his office but decide against it and I am glad I did. As I edge out, Isee Dixie sitting on the rocker, eyes closed, a soft hum vibrating through her. Lainey is wrapped in blankets as she nurses her.

I try to sneak back inside but bang my head on the doorframe, making it throb instantly.

“Tripp?” she calls softly, and I squeeze my eyes shut, an exasperated sigh leaving me.

“Yup,” my voice is full of gravel as I step out onto the deck. I don’t look at her, just fist my hand into my back pocket and look at the early morning sky. “I didn’t mean to interrupt, er… you know,” I dip my head and kick the toe of my boot into the wooden floor.

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