Page 10 of Legally Binding
Good girl? Why do I have the sudden urge to preen at the praise instead of telling him not to call me that?
I don’t get the chance to say anything because he turns, heading down the aisle and disappearing around the corner. I stand there wondering if I was supposed to follow him or if he left. Before I get a chance to decide, he reappears holding a basket. The first thing he grabs is the mouse toy, and then he looks at me.
"What else do we need?"
I smile as he grabs a few more toys, tossing them into the basket. I notice he’s not checking any of the price tags.
"You're going to spoil him.”
"Good,” he says and then winks at me, causing a flutter in my stomach.
We go up and down the aisle where he grabs a million things. I start grabbing stuff too, but not at the rate Mr. Adair is. Each time I put something in the basket, I get an encouraging smile.
"This basket is overflowing." I point out after a good twenty minutes.
"Should we get another?" His expression is dead serious, making me burst into laughter.
"I meant that I think we’ve got enough."
"You think?" Mr. Adair glances over to a cat carrier, and I realize that if we're co-parenting, I should probably start calling him Landon.
"Okay, yes we will need one of those.” I grab the carrier and decide to test out his name. “Now I think we're good, Landon."
"Okay," he agrees, and we take it all to the front checkout.
The store clerk from before sees us and turns around to go in the other direction. Thankfully someone else comes over to check us out.
"You scared him," I say to Landon in a low voice so only he can hear.
"Good.” He winks at me again, making me want to melt.
Gah, I’m such a sucker.
Chapter Six
LANDON
It’s pouring rain again by the time we get ready to leave the vet's office. I tell my driver to pick us up at the front, but we still have to dash through the storm to get in the back seat.
“Good thing you got the carrier,” Piper says as she peeks in on the kitten.
“So since you were right, I think you should be the one to name him.” The vet confirmed our ball of fur was indeed a boy, and seeing the way Piper lights up, I know I’ve said the right thing.
“That’s too much pressure. I’ll need to think about it.”
“Why don’t we go back to my place and—” I can’t even finish the sentence before Piper’s body language completely changes. She leans away from me, and the happy expression that was there moments ago is long gone. “Or not. I can drop you both off at your place if you feel more comfortable with that.”
“I can’t keep him there,” she says softly, still trying to make herself smaller.
“What? Why not?”
“My apartment won’t allow it.”
“That’s okay, I can keep him at my place.”
“You promised you wouldn’t keep him from me.”
“I did, and I intend to keep that promise. Along with every other promise I make to you.” Slowly, I reach out and place my hand on top of hers. “I promise I won’t hurt you, Piper. And I certainly wouldn’t keep my child’s mother from seeing him.” A smile tugs at the corner of her lips, and I look to my driver. “Why don’t we take Miss Gray home.”
