Page 36 of Kissing Her Rescuer

“I had a paternity test run.”

“You hadwhatrun?” Her mouth dropped open, and her eyes widened. “Behind my back. How? When?”

“My mom got a cheek swab from Carrie. I'm sorry. Really. But did you not see the possibility that I could be her dad?”

“It floated through my mind, but I couldn't afford to get a test done. I couldn't risk pissing him off anymore. I can't believe you didn't ask me about it first.” She stomped her foot, her green eyes flashing in the lamplight, making her look like one seriously pissed off forest fairy.

“I won't do it again.”

“You're damn right. I'm not getting into another relationship where I'm not an equal player. Anything concerning Carrie goes through me. I'm her mom.”

He'd expected her to be mad about that, but he couldn't help but smile. “But Eliza, Zach isn't her father. Think about that.”

She froze.

He placed his hands on her shoulders. “And now breathe.”

“You?” She stammered it out as she sat back down. “It's really you?”

“It's me.” He sat beside her, his hip pressed against hers. He didn't know what to expect from her. At Eliza's silence, Dewey continued. “I can be a better father than Zach.”

Eliza looked up at him. “Oh,” she said, reaching out and gripping his arm. “I know that. It's a lot to process. Right now, I’m mad you'd take a DNA sample without telling me and then the fact that the guy I had to outsmart to get full custody isn't even entitled to custody. I'm happy about you being her dad, really. I'd rather you be her father than Zach. I'm just pissed off about the testing.”

“I'm more than a little pissed that Zach threatened you, and you didn't tell one of us.”

“So, we’re both mad.”

“No.” His voice rose louder than he intended, but he couldn’t help it. “Yours is worse. You and Carrie were in danger, and you didn't say anything.” He flexed his hand, the skin breaking open again. She swore under her breath and pressed another tissue against it. “I promise you that man will never touch you or Carrie again.”

“I can take care of myself, Dewey.”

That's right. She didn't need him. She'd made that perfectly clear at every turn. But Carrie needed him.

“What would you do if Zach hurt Carrie?”

Her eyes snapped up, the fire there again.

“Exactly,” he said. “I would have done anything to protect her before finding this out. But if that jackass makes one wrong move when it comes to her...”

She pressed her lips together and focused on dabbing at the cuts on the back of his hand. “We'd have to get a court order for you to legally become her father. And then we have custody issues between the two of us.”

Dewey crouched down in front of her again, taking both her hands in his. “I'm not trying to take Carrie away from you. But I want to be a part of her life.”

“I can't marry you, Dewey. I promised myself I'd never marry again after what I went through. I can't risk putting Carrie through that.”

Even though he now knew why Eliza rejected him the first time, rejecting him this time because she compared marriage with him to Zach just flat pissed him off. But they'd have to figure that out later. Carrie. That was their focus.

“I'm not asking you to marry me. I want Carrie to be my daughter. Full-out. Legally. My little girl.” He grinned. “I have a hard time saying that and not smiling.”

She watched him, her emotions were still unreadable. “I didn't realize you wanted kids this bad.”

“Not any kid. I want Carrie. Whatever your stipulations. Whatever makes you both comfortable. But I can give her a good life.”

“So, can I,” she shot back.

“Yes. You can.” He cupped her cheek, drawing on as much patience as he could muster. Zach had left so many scars. “And whatever money I have is 100% at your disposal. But I meant I can love her.”

“I guess I need to find a lawyer.”

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