Page 44 of The Keeper

Avery perked up at the sound of her name, her green eyes wide and curious. I searched her little face, soaking up every detail. “There are parts of you in here,” I murmured. “I see you in her eyes and her little button nose.”

Piper stroked her cheek, a soft smile playing on her lips. “These dimples are yours.”

I nodded, seeing more of us in our daughter with each passing moment. Our eyes met, and my heart damn near burst out of my chest at the vulnerability in her gaze. A single tear tracked down her cheek, and I thumbed it away before cupping her face in my palm.

She leaned into my touch, eyes fluttering shut. “Sorry,” she whispered. “It’s just surreal, having you here.”

“Too late to change your mind now. You’re stuck with me.” I tilted her chin up toward me. “Hey, I’m serious. We’re a team now. A family.”

Her breath hitched. “I want to believe that, but…”

“But you’re not there yet,” I finished. “I get it. Trust doesn’t happen overnight, but I’m not going anywhere. And I’m willing to do whatever I can to prove it to you.”

She turned to bury her face in my neck, breathing deeply as if to ground herself. Knowing her old man hadn’t bothered to stick around, her reluctance made sense. Piper had been let down one too many times to believe someone might want to stick around for the long haul.

It was evident in the guarded look in her eyes and how unused she was to accepting help.

And as much as I’d love to place blame solely on her old man’s doorstep, I hadn’t exactly given her much reason to trust men either. Regardless of what my intentions had been, I’d hurt her just as much, if not more, than her father. He’d walked out without a word. I’d been the bastard who said he wanted more than one night before bailing on her without a word.

Earning her trust wouldn’t come easy, but it’d be worth it.

As we sat there, wrapped up together with our daughter between us, I felt a sense of peace settle over me. This was where I belonged—with my family, my whole world within these walls.

Eventually, Avery’s mouth stretched in a wide yawn, her eyelids growing heavy as she snuggled deeper into my chest. I plucked her sippy cup off the table and offered it to her, gently rocking her as she drank.

“You’re like scary good at this,” Piper whispered, watching us with a mix of awe and something else I couldn’t quite place.

I shrugged, trying to play it cool even as pride swelled in my chest. “I’ve had plenty of experience with my brothers’ kids,” I admitted, a pang of grief hitting me as I thought of Levi. I pushed the feeling aside, focusing on the warm weight of my daughter in my arms. “You think I should lay her down?”

She checked her watch. “Yeah, she usually takes her morning nap around this time.”

“Come here, sweetheart. Let’s get you to bed.”

Piper followed as I carried Avery to her room.

“Sweet dreams, princess,” I murmured, kissing her wild curls before lowering her onto the crib mattress. I tucked her blanket around her and placed her teddy bear beside her, marveling at how tiny she looked.

Piper launched herself at me as soon as the bedroom door was closed, wrapping her arms around my neck and crushing her lips to mine. I groaned, backing her against the wall as heat flared between us.

“Take me to bed,” she said against my mouth, her fingers tangling in my hair.

FIFTEEN

GHOST

Ivy & Piper’s Guide to Life Rule Number Thirty-One:

Establish clear boundaries upfront.

Ididn’t need to be asked twice. I carried Piper into the bedroom and tossed her onto the bed before stripping off her yoga pants, growling when I encountered nothing but damp, bare skin.

No panties.

Fuck, she was trying to kill me.

“Jesus, darlin’,” I said, running my hands up her thighs.

She spread her legs and arched her back invitingly. I could see how wet she was already, her arousal glistening on her inner thighs.

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