Page 79 of The Double Play

She raises a brow. “How on earth is giving me a house foryou?”

“I hate your apartment complex,” I say, and she laughs. “Having you here will give me peace of mind. Plus, I’ll get to be with you more often if you’re closer. So, you see, the whole thing is selfish of me, if you think about it.”

“Selfish,” she repeats in a skeptical tone.

“I want to see you all the time, Wildflower. Having a thirty-minute drive to your apartment building is too much space.” I step to her and place my hands on her waist. “I don’t want anything between us.”

“You make it difficult to say no,” she says.

“Then say yes. You’ll have your own space, but still be close enough to see me and June as much as you want. Raven will be safe here and can hang out here or at my house while you work.”

“Are you sure that’s okay? I don’t want you to think my attention is compromised if Raven is around while I’m caring for June.”

“I know you better than to think that.” I tuck her hair behind her ear. “Would you like to live here? Don’t think about me, just what you want.”

She closes her eyes. I can sense the war raging within her. I don’t push her; instead, I just wait while she makes her decision. Her eyes blink open.

“I would love to live here.”

I smile and pull her in for a hug. “Thank you. I love you.”

She laughs against my chest. “I’m supposed to be the one thanking you.” Her head tips back. “You don’t know what this means to me. I know that I’m stubborn about accepting help. The fact that instead of giving up, you just try harder–” Her eyes water. “I love you so much.”

“You deserve all of this and more, whether you believe that or not yet.”

I cup her jaw and bend down to kiss her. Our lips meet and everything around us slips away. It’s just Hazel. Her citrus scent, the sweetness of her lips, the feel of her palms sliding up my chest. I let myself sink into the moment and simply be with the woman I love. The one who wanted me when I didn’t know what that felt like. The one who treats my daughter as her own. The one whose soul shines in such a way that it casts light on all she encounters.

My Wildflower.

Chapter thirty-eight

Hazel James

“HowdoIlook?”I ask Emmett as I step inside through the garage door.

He has a game tonight, and I’ll be taking June and Raven to watch him play. I’m wearing the jersey Emmett gave me in New York, and I’ve left it open to show the white tank top I have on underneath. I paired the top with some denim shorts and Emmett’s hat.

“Like I’m going to be distracted all night.” Emmett pulls me to him by my belt loops. I giggle as he dips down to kiss me.

“Can you two wait to be gross until I’m somewhere else?” Raven asks from behind us. She pushes past, mutteringewunder her breath.

“She’s a little moody today. Her friend started dating the guy she’s had a crush on,” I explain.

“I’m not moody, and I don’t care who Victor dates! I don’t even like him like that,” she shouts over her shoulder as she walks into the living area.

Emmett chuckles. “I hope you can still have a good night.”

I wrap my arms around his neck. “I’ll be watching you, so it’s guaranteed to be good.”

“Watching me play or admiring how I look in my uniform?” he teases in a low, sultry tone.

I play with the hair at the nape of his neck. “The world will never know.”

“Mmm but I will.” His lips meet mine. Though either of the girls could come across us at any moment, he’s unhurried in his movements. A hand sinks into my hair while the other splays my hip. His mouth caresses mine with a reverent passion. The soft scratch of his beard on my skin sends tingles down my spine. When he finally pulls back, I’m breathless and a little dizzy.

“You make it difficult to stop kissing you,” he murmurs.

“Why stop, then?” I ask with a smile.

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