Page 23 of Like You Love Me

“Girl, please. A leopard’s spots don’t change to stripes,” she countered mildly. “I remember what that bastard did to you.”

Bianca lifted her shoulders. “I know, and I remember, but I believe in forgiving and forgetting.”

Debra folded her arms on the table and frowned. “I hear you, but I don’t want this situation to backfire on you. London is going to be furious if he finds out.”

Bianca shifted uneasily on the padded bench cover and said, “I know, which is why I need to find the right time to tell him.”

Reaching across the table, Debra rested a hand on hers. “Then you better do it soon because you know how territorial London is when it comes to that little girl.” She was right. Other than blood, nobody could tell him Sierra wasn’t his daughter.

Bianca sighed deeply at Debra’s warning and replied, “I’m going to talk to him. I promise.”

Debra leaned back on the seat, grinning mischievously. “I think after he sees you in that sexy ensemble, that might be a great time to bring it up.”

Bianca smiled, feeling hopeful. “You just might be right.”

London walked into the house to the smell of pot roast and garlic potatoes. His favorites. He tugged off a knit cap and gloves, shrugged out his coat and kicked off his boots and left everything in the mudroom. He padded in wool socks through the spotless kitchen and into the family room. Bianca was curled up on the sofa while Sierra was seated across from her in an armchair. His wife flashed a white-toothed smile when she saw him.

“Hi, baby,” she cooed.

He stopped long enough to plant a kiss on Sierra’s forehead before closing the distance and swooping in on Bianca, dragging her flat on the sofa cushions with him on top of her.

“Daddy!”

“London,” Bianca murmured and wrapped her arms around his neck. He dipped his head and pressed his lips to her in a kiss that he savored. He would never get tired of kissing his wife.

“Your dinner is in the microwave,” she murmured.

“Thank you.” After one of his employees called out, the restaurant was too short staff for him to leave during the dinner rush.” He kissed her again.

“Yuck, Daddy. Get off, Mommy.”

“I’ll have you know your mother loves my kisses.” He searched Bianca’s eyes. “Don’t you, sweetheart?”

Bianca looked over at Sierra and rolled her eyes, then murmured, “I don’t have much of a choice.”

“What?” He gawked and began tickling her.

“No, don’t do that!” Bianca screamed and laughed simultaneously while trying to push his hands away, but London knew her spot.

Sierra started giggling then came over to help her mother. “Leave my Mommy alone!” She grabbed his leg and tried to pull him off.

“Then I guess I’ll have to tickle you too.” He got Sierra under her right arm and sent her in a pit of laughter until Bianca pushed them both off onto the floor.

“Enough,” she said and sighed.

Sierra doubled over with laughter until London finally stopped.

Bianca gave a rude snort. “You two are silly.”

“Don’t get us started,” he warned and wiggled his fingers.

“Yeah, Mommy, don’t get us started,” Sierra cosigned.

Bianca held up both hands in surrender. “I give up.”

London moved back onto the sofa beside her. Resting an arm over her shoulders, he leaned in and kissed her ear as he whispered, “We’ll continue that later.”

Laughter erupted before Bianca gently pushed him away and said, “Sierra, did you tell your Daddy the good news?”

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