Page 82 of Summer People
Slowly, she nods. “She was, yes, but that doesn’t mean she can’t be yours too.”
“I feel like she’s mine,” I admit, the words almost inaudible. “Like a piece of my heart lives with her.”
“Because you love her.”
I nod, then quickly shake my head. How would people react if I claimed a role that never should have been mine? “But everyone will?—”
“Everyone will know Sutton is lucky because she has you. And for every milestone moving forward, you’ll be her parent.” She shuffles around until we’re face to face and squeezes my hands. “We all know you aren’t trying to replace Hunter, but she deserves a parent who can do all these things with her. Things like buying a bra.”
I swallow past the boulder in my throat. She’s right. Sutton deserves a father, and by some twist of fate, I’m what she’s got. And apparently that means I’m the one who has to get her a bra.
My insides still shake at that idea. “Hell, Princess. You’re giving me chest pain.” I rub at my sternum. “She’s only eight.”
“I know, but it would be fun for her to see an actual store, don’t you think? And there is this boy…” Libby goes on to relay the details of the story that Sutton told her.
After I suppress the need to pummel the ten-year-old boy who mocked my girl, I begrudgingly agree to the bra trip.
“I need a drink.” I rub a hand over my face. How the hell am I going to manage puberty and the teenage years if I can’t even take her to buy a bra? “Want to take the damn cart to the brewery for lunch?”
Libby shakes her head. “That’s not her name. Call her Putt-Putt.”
“No.” I might think it sometimes, but I’ve yet to say that stupid name aloud.
“I’ll give you a kiss if you do,” she singsongs, stepping up in front of me and batting her lashes, looking so damn cute it’s almost impossible to resist.Almost. “You know you want one.”
Oh, I do. Fighting both a smile and an eye roll, I shake my head.
She leans in so close her warm breath skates across my cheek. The sweet scent of her perfume fills my nose, and just like that, I no longer care about the beer. All I want is time with Libby.
“Come on,” she urges. “Say it with me. Putt-Putt.” She kisses the corner of my mouth, teasing me. “Putt.” Her sweet, warm breath hits my lips with each enunciated word. “Putt.”
My dick twitches, and there’s no stopping my grin.
Instead of playing her game, I snake an arm around her neck and pull her to me.
When I press my lips to hers, she squeals. “Cheater.”
“Maybe so, but don’t worry; I have plenty of ideas for how you can punish me.” I toss her over my shoulder and carry her straight up to my bed.
CHAPTER THIRTY
libby
“Areyou going to buy something pretty for me if I take you shopping?” Fisher asks as he tosses me onto the bed.
It’s been like this every time since that first night. His eyes full of hunger, an easy smile on his face. The teasing. It leaves little time for me to worry about much of anything. I’m too damn happy.
“Strip,” I tell him, twirling my finger like a magic wand.
Even as he obeys, he growls. “Answer the question.”
Inches of sinewy muscle come into view as he grips the back of his collar with one hand and pulls his shirt over his head the way only men can do. His abs flex with each move, drawing my focus to the dark hair that leads to the magical V that a man who works on computers shouldn’t have.
He must work out a lot in the winter when there’s nothing else to do on the island. How else would he look this good? He’s not overly chiseled like the men in Hollywood. It’s clear he works for it, but also that he works for a living. I could stare at him for a very long time if he’d allow it.
“Libby,” he growls again, yanking his belt from the loops around his waistband.
“I didn’t think you were the kind of guy who really cared about what his woman wears.” I sit up on my knees and help him pull down his pants. His boxers go with them, and then his cock is springing free. Fuck, I wasn’t prepared. I’m never prepared. The man is beautiful. The way his dick strains to get closer to me makes it impossible not to wrap my fingers around it and revel in the smooth contrast between the silken skin and the rock-hard length.
