Page 16 of When We Burn

Lying on her driveway, as crazy as it sounds, was the most peaceful I’ve felt in years.

I want more of that. Icraveit.

And damn it, I’m going to have it. I know I havesome work to do to earn her trust, to mend our friendship and build from there, but I’ve never been afraid of hard work.

Silently, I let myself into the house. The lights in the living room are on, but Dani’s not asleep on the couch.

With a frown, I walk down the hallway and peek into Birdie’s room, and my heart stumbles.

Birdie’s sleeping peacefully in her bed, and on the floor beside my daughter, lying on her side with her hands folded under her chin, is Dani.

Fuck, she didn’t have to sleep in the same room as Birdie. And definitely not on the goddamn floor. I never want her to sleep on the floor.

After checking on Birdie, I squat down and wedge my arms beneath Dani, then lift her easily in my arms, cradling her to me.

“I’m sorry,” she whispers without opening her eyes as she loops her arms around my shoulders. “She had a bad dream.”

“Shh.” I press my lips to her forehead and breathe her in. Fuck, she’s sweet and smells like apples. I lay her gently on my bed and tuck her in, and she burrows down, buries her face in my pillow, and is already asleep again.

She’s in my hoodie, and the sight of it surprises me.

I like it.

I like it a lot.

With a sigh, I close the door behind me and head for Birdie’s bathroom for that shower, and then I fall asleep on the sofa with thoughts of the sexy woman in my bed.

The sun had just barely started to lighten the night sky, and I couldn’t sleep on the couch any longer. It’s big enough for me, but it’s lumpy, and I kept dreaming about Dani.

Dreams that might have had me returning to my bed so I could have my way with her, and while she may have been game for a kiss in her driveway, I know for certain that she’s not ready for me to fuck her.

Not quite yet.

I’m leaning against the counter, sipping on black coffee, when I hear footsteps coming lightly down the hallway. They’re not my daughter’s footsteps, I know that for sure.

And within seconds, it’s confirmed when Dani stops, her eyes widening when she sees me, and I don’t miss the way she drinks me in, from head to fucking toe.

“Good morning.” I sip the coffee and tuck my free hand into my pocket. Fuck, I want to touch her. Her hair is messed up, and her eyes are sleepy. She’s still in those tiny shorts and my hoodie, which is zipped all the way up to her neck.

“Um, good morning,” she replies and scratches her nose. “I woke up in your bed.”

I nod, watching her. “Yeah. I found you on Birdie’s floor.”

“She asked me to stay in her room. Bad dream.” She shuffles forward and leans on my island, watching mewith her wide, blue eyes. “I was fine on the floor. You didn’t have to give up your comfortable bed.”

“I don’t want you sleeping on the floor, Dani. It wasn’t a problem to carry you to my room.”

She swallows in that way she does when she’s nervous. She’s fucking adorable, and it makes my lips twitch. “Youcarriedme?”

“How do you think you got there?”

Dani tugs on her bottom lip, and that makes my dick come to attention.

I want to bite that lip. I want to sink my teeth into it as I push inside of her and make her moan.

“I’m sorry I missed that,” she admits out loud and then flushes beautifully. Fuck, she’s not making me want her any less. “I should go home.”

I’m not ready for her to leave yet. I like having her here in my house. “Do you want some coffee first?”

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