Page 44 of The Hard Hitter

“I want to wear jammies,” she says.

“You can. Let’s just get you a clean pair.”

She nods and her dark curls bounce. My heart pounds a little harder as they leave the kitchen hand in hand, the same way they came in. A little tear pricks at my eye and I blink it away.

If I’m being completely truthful with myself, I might want kids, but I’m not so sure I want them on my own. I’m capable of raising a father-less child, but when I see the kind of bond those two have, it makes me realize how much my child would be missing out on. And Daisy might have female influences in her life, but when it comes right down to it, no one can take the place of a mother.

I gather the dinner dishes we left outside last night, and my body responds just remembering what we did after having a nice meal. And it was a nice meal. I can’t deny that I enjoy Zander’s company, he’s fun and easy to be around.

I tidy the kitchen and rinse the dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. The TV sounds from the other room, and warm heat moves through me when Zander comes back, presses his body to mine, his mouth at my ear.

“You didn’t have to clean up,” he says. I turn to face him, and with Daisy nowhere to be found, I go up on my toes and give him a proper good-morning kiss.

“I want you in my bed again,” he says.

“It’s too risky with Daisy here.”

“I know.”

“But I do want you in your bed again,” I say. “You’re exhausted, Zander. Let me take care of Daisy for a bit, and you go have a nap.”

He shakes his head. “No, she’s not your responsibility, she’s mine. It’s important I spend every minute with her when I’m here.”

“I understand, but you’re not much good to her when you’re a walking zombie.”

“I don’t know…”

How can I bargain with this stubborn man? “How about this? You’re determined to help me around my place, right? And I know you won’t take payment. Consider this payment. You sleep. I take care of Daisy.”

He stifles a yawn.

“I saw that, you know. You can’t hide that from me.”

He cups my ass and squeezes. “I am tired.”

“Then go. I’ll watch Paw Patrol with Daisy. It’s good for me to be up on my kids’ shows anyway. It helps me relate.”

“Just don’t put on the alligator song, you’ll have an earworm for the rest of the day.”

I chuckle and give him a nudge. “Go. Sleep. Daisy’s in good hands, I promise.”

“I know she is.” He drops another kiss onto my cheek, then goes to talk to Daisy. I dart outside and gather up my dress, bra and underwear, and grab Zander’s clothes as well. I wasn’t in mine long enough last night for them to be dirty, and they’ll do just fine until I can get home and change.

I rush inside as Zander talks to Daisy and tells her I’ll be watching her, and hurry to the bathroom to dress. When I emerge, Daisy is nearly asleep on the sofa and Zander is making his way to the stairs.

“Sleep well,” I say.

“Thanks, Sam.”

He disappears upstairs, and I settle in next to Daisy. Her eyes are practically rolling in her head as sleep pulls at her, but like every other toddler I know, she’s fighting it. I reach for the remote and turn the TV down a bit, and surf through my phone as I wait for her to go out.

When her lids finally fall shut, I tuck her in, and lower the volume even more.

I’m about to grab another coffee when a knock comes from the door. I pad over quietly and peek through the peephole before opening it.

When I see Quinn standing there, I go still.

Dammit. Do I let her in? What will she think of me staying overnight? Last night, Zander said he was certain she knew it was me in his house.

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