Page 84 of Renewal After Dark

His muffled grunt served as his reply.

“I want aman, Duke. I want someone who knows how to treat a woman, who takes care of the people he cares about, who steps up for a stranger because he wants to, not because she can do something for him. I want a grown-ass adultman,and if you think any of those guys who were supposedly checking me out earlier would do the trick, you’re dead wrong. I promise you most of them are probably more of the same.”

“How do you know I won’t turn out to be, too?”

“I don’t know for sure, but the other thing Rosemary taught me that I’ve never forgotten is that when someone shows you who they really are, you should believe them. You’ve already shown me who you really are. I believe you.” She kissed him. “I believe you, Duke.”

His arms tightened around her as he stared at her intently. “I can’t believe you’re here with me like this.”

“Why not? Anddo notsay I could have anyone.”

“Okay, I won’t say that.”

“Now we’re getting somewhere.”

Duke couldn’t believethe series of events that’d brought McKenzie to his lap with her arms wrapped around his neck and her tongue rubbing against his in the sweetest, hottest, sexiest kiss of his whole damned life.

He still felt guilty for doing this with Rosemary’s precious granddaughter, but he had to hope she’d approve. She’d loved him as much as he’d loved her. Had she loved him enough to want him making out passionately with her granddaughter?

He’d never know.

He could only hope so.

His head was spinning, and he was hard as stone by the time she pulled back to look at him, smiling as if she saw something she liked.

He still couldn’t believe that was possible.

She twirled a length of his hair around her finger.

“Do you hate my long hair?”

“Not at all. It’s part of who you are.” She leaned in to kiss the side of his neck. “Just like your beautiful ink is.”

He shivered from an almost painful need for more. “You’re driving me crazy, but of course, you know that.”

“Do I?”

Duke could barely speak or breathe or think for wanting her. “I’ve got to tell you something.”

She continued to kiss his neck, making a red-hot mess of him. “What’s that?”

“Remember when I told you about that fiancée I had for a second?”

“What about her?”

“I never once felt like this when I was with her.”

“Like what?”

“Like I might die if you ever stop kissing me.”

Chapter18

Ashleigh had cried herself to sleep in Tiffany’s arms while Blaine held them both. In his entire life, he’d never been more heartbroken for anyone than he was for his sweet little Ashleigh. He wished he had a magic wand that could take away her pain and return her to the happy, smiling child she’d been before real life interrupted her childhood.

He couldn’t imagine loving Ashleigh more if he’d fathered her himself, and it wasn’t lost on him that he would now be the only father in her life. He’d be the one to raise her and nurture her and teach her to drive and holler at her when she missed curfew.

His heart ached for Jim Sturgil, a man he’d despised and, at times, feared due to the sometimes-violent way he reacted to Tiffany. The last few days had wrought some of the most intense emotions Blaine had ever felt. If he’d been asked before Jim went missing if he’d ever mourn for that guy, he would’ve laughed. But now… He ached for what Jim would miss with Ashleigh. He ached for a man who’d had it all and let it get away. And he ached for his sweet little girl, who would mourn her father for the rest of her life.

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