Page 33 of Stolen Kisses

“Of course. Kenny’s got the note in her backpack. It covers all of the information you’ll need.”

“Okay. Thanks.” Kenny’s finally stopped crying. “Say bye to Mrs. Roberts, Kenny.”

“Bye, Mrs. Roberts. See youtomowwow.”

“See you tomorrow, Kenny.”

“Thank you.”

“No problem.” She finishes with a warm smile and I carry Kenny and herbackpackout to my truck. On the way down the hallway, I hear Lachlan’s distinctive voice coming out of a classroom and slow to a stop at the door to see what’s going on. The boys are shooting screwed-up paper into the trashcan and cheering as they make the shot. Emma’s sitting at her desk, shuffling papers around. I take a moment to admire her deep in thought. I wonder if she realizes how damnbeautifulshe is?

I clear my throat to let her know I’m here. “Hey.” Kenny pulls her head out of the crook of my neck to look around. A small smileformson her lips but it’s still plainly clear she’s been crying.

Emma looks up from her papers and the boys stop their game. “Hey, Theo. Hey, Kenny. How was school today?” She gets up and comes over to greet us, placing her hand on Kenny’s back, her brows pinched. “What’s up?”

“Hey, Kenny.” Austin sings out as he comes over.

Lachlan moves closer too. “Hello.”

“Would you … uh … have time for a chat later?” I gesture with my head to Kenny, widening my eyes and hoping Emma catches on.

“Sure. No problem. We were getting ready to head home ourselves. Maybe we could all go to the park?”

That perks Kenny right up. “Weally?” She wriggles her way down my body to the floor, a smile on her face. “I love playing at the park.” My eyebrows must almost hit my hairline at her sudden turnaround.

“Great, we’ll see you at home.” She turns back toward her desk and my eyes automatically drop to appreciate her sweet ass.

“See you in a whileboys.” I take Kenny’s hand and lead her outside to my truck.

When we arrive home, I check through Kenny’sbackpacklooking for the note about the Daddy-Daughter dance. Apparently, it’s an annual event organized to provide fathers the opportunity to spend special time with their little girls. I rub the tightness in my chest as I read on. Dress is formal attire and the event includes a formal dinner followed by dancing. It sounds amazing and there’s no way I’m going to let Kenny miss out on this experience. It’s her first year at school and she deserves to participate with her friends. I may not be her biological father, but I’m her daddy in all the ways that count and I plan on showing her how a lady should be treated. I formulate a plan in my head, ready to share it with Emma when I get the chance.

“You want a snack, Munchkin?”

“Yes, please, Uncle Theo.”

“Go wash up and I’ll get it ready.” I cut up an apple and some cheese, placing them on a plate along with some crackers. I’m pouring a cup of milk as Kenny comes back into the kitchen, looking a lot happier than she did when I picked her up from school. We sit at the kitchen table sharing the snack I prepared. “So, would you like to go to the Daddy-Daughter dance?”

She chews the food in her mouth slowly and I can see her mind ticking over. She shrugs. “I don’t have a daddy.” She fiddles with a cracker. “That means I not allowed to go.”

I think carefully about my words. “Well … your mommy asked me to look after you. That means she wanted me to be your daddy.”

Kenny’s face lights up instantly as she sits up straight. “Weally?”

“Really.” I hold out my hand for hers. “Would you do me the honor of accompanying me to the Daddy-Daughter dance?” Kenny leaps from her seat into my arms, squeezing me tightly around my neck, while placing kisses all over my face. I squeeze my eyes closed tight, absorbing her excited affection. This is the Kenny I know and love; it’s great to have her back. She giggles and I laugh at her antics. “Is thatayes?”

“Yes, Uncle Theo. I would love to go to the dancewivyou. Thank you.” She kisses my face some more. “You’regonnabe the best daddy there.” And now my heart melts into a puddle of goo onthe kitchenfloor as I squeeze her tight—our moment broken by a knock at the front door.

“Come on. I bet that’s Emma and the boys ready to go to the park.”

She quickly scrambles down from the table, catching up with me as I walk down the passage to the front door. Sure enough, the trio at our door consists of mygorgeousneighbor and her two boys.

“You guys ready for the park?” Emma asks.

Kenny cheers as I pick up the backpack I keep near the front door and we headto the park, the kids walking ahead of us. I take Emma’s hand in mine, twining our fingers together, locking her to me. I’ve never been much for holding a woman’s hand and considering I haven’t even kissed Emma yet, I’m unused to the possessiveness I feel for her. We’re not in a relationship, we haven’t been intimate, yet I always feel the need to touch her in some way when she’snear. If this is the onlyopportunityI’ll get to touch her silky skin, then I’m not going to be backward in taking the opportunity. She’s stiff at first, looking down to our joined hands and then up to my face. I shrug and keep on moving as if it’s something we always do. A small smile touches her lips, causing slight crinkles around her eyes as she relaxes.

–emma–

He’s doing it again. Holding my hand. I can’t remember how long it’s been since a man has wanted to hold my hand for no reason other than to hold my hand. It took me by surprise on Mother’s Day and it took me a moment to relax again today—but I like it. I like it an awful lot. His hand feels so big, warm, and safe. His grip is sure and strong. My belly flips as he tugs me toward him and places a kiss on my temple as if it’s the most natural thing to do. We make it to the park and I expect Theo to drop my hand, but he doesn’t. He uses his hold to guide me to a bench seat. Allowing me to sit first, he positions himself so the entire side of his body is touching the entire side of mine, then he places his arm along the back of the seat.

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