Page 41 of Second Shot

“I’m yourdaddy.”

His brows drawup.

I know he doesn’t have a clue what I’m saying, but part of me wonders if he doesn’t understandsomething.

“Your mom thinks I’m a bit of a fuck-up. And she’s not entirely wrong. I’ve done a lot of shitty things in my life. Things I wish I could take back. But you’re not one ofthem.”

I swear to God the kid stops sucking and smiles. It’s just a fraction of a second, but it makes my heart swell inside me. This is good. Better than good. It’s perfect. The only thing that would make it better is Brynne. Having her trust me. Wanting the same things Ido.

Maybe it’s an asshole move manipulating her into moving in with me. But I never claimed to be a saint. And she already thinks I’m the fuckingdevil.

“I’m going to make this right. You and me, we’re going to have to stick together. Make your mom see that we can be a family. I’m going to admit, it’s not going to be easy. She’s stubborn. Hell, she may just be the most willful, frustrating woman I’ve ever met. But she’s mine.Ours. And I’m going to make sure she knowsit.”

Chapter 12

Brynne

Iwake up slowly,stretching under the soft Egyptian cotton. It took me ages to fall asleep last night. Knowing Kane was just down the hall had my body on edge. And once I finally fell asleep, my dreams were filled with him. His eyes, his touch, his mouth. Even now, I can still feel the phantom pressure in my core. The delicious ache that makes me want things I have no rightwanting.

The sun creeps through the thick blinds, and I frown, squinting. I panic when I grab my phone and see what time it is. It’s already eight. Noah never sleeps in this late.Ever.

Panic twists in my gut as I jump out of bed and race to hisroom.

He’s notthere.

Morepanic.

“Kane?” My voice is shrill, edged withalarm.

“In here,” he answers from the livingroom.

Kane is spread out on the couch, head tilted forward, eyes closed, with Noah fast asleep on his barechest.

My stomach does one of those flip-flop things that tells me I’m in way deeper than I should be. But I can’t help the way my gaze roams down his body. Sculpted abs, narrow hips, even his damn feet aresexy.

When I look back at his face, I find a pair of intense blue eyes staring back at me, and a grin tugging at hislips.

Busted.

“Enjoying the view?” He cocks a brow atme.

“I’ve seen better,” I lie, turning around so he doesn’t see the red that I’m pretty sure creeps into my cheeks. I try to keep my tone stoic, but it comes out sounding bitchy when I say, “You should put him in his crib. I don’t want him getting used to being held while hesleeps.”

I hear him grunt behind me as I walk into the kitchen and pull out the coffeegrinds.

Walls. I have so many of them, especially where Kane is concerned. Instead of being grateful that he let me sleep in, I ended up criticizing what was really a sweetmoment.

But the second I let those walls down, I know I’m in even bigger trouble than I’m alreadyin.

No. It has to be this way. At least until I know for sure that this is real. That he’s not going to change his mind, or screw it up in the typical Kane Maddenfashion.

A few minutes later, Kane comes up behind me, his arm brushing against mine as he reaches past, pulling two mugs from thecupboard.

He doesn’t say anything, just leans against the counter, arms crossed over his chest, watching me as I finish pouring water into the coffee maker. I turn around, crossing my ownarms.

“You never were a morning person.” He chuckles, reminding me of all the nights he used to spend at my house. All the mornings he’d tease me with his overly brightsmile.

“There’s something wrong with people who can roll out of bed with a smile on theirface.”

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