Page 28 of Beneath the Surface

Lily laughs. “How are we gonna get there, Einstein? You gonna load us up on the back of your bike?”

Shrugging, I pull out my phone. “I’ll call a cab. You just say the word.”

She gazes at me until Chase’s little fists pull on the front of her shirt. “Mommy, pwease. I want pancakes.”

“Yeah, Mommy,” I say. “AndIwant whipped cream.”

Her eyes narrow on me, but she pats Chase’s back, setting him down. “Go start getting ready, and I’ll be in to help brush your teeth.”

“YES!” he squeals, racing down the hall.

The grin cracks my face as I watch him run away.He’s a cool kid.

“You don’t have to do this, you know?” Her voice is low.

My brow quirks. “Do what?”

“Buy his affection… or mine.”

My stomach tightens at her words and I step into her, forcing her back until she’s flat against the wall. The second our bodies touch, heat spirals through my veins.

“Is that what you think I’m doing, little bird?”

Her breath falters, her palms coming up to rest against the cotton of my shirt. “Isn’t it?”

“If I wanted your affection…” My hand slides up the side of her body, skimming against the tight curves hidden beneath her oversized shirt. “I’d take it.”

She scoffs. “You can’tforceaffection.”

My palm continues upward until my fingers wrap around her neck, my thumb resting under her chin. I squeeze firmly, tipping her head back. “Who says I’d have to force it?”

Her eyes flare, her body arching into mine. My stomach flips, my cock straining against my jeans.Christ, she’s sexy.I’m three seconds away from wrapping her legs around my waist so I can slip between her thighs, but her fists press against me, and I allow her to push me away.

“I need to go check on Chase.”

And with that she scurries down the hall.

Fuck. I’m in trouble.

13

Lily

My chest warms as Chase stuffs his face with chocolate chip pancakes and chocolate milk. He’s about to have a horrible sugar crash, but I don’t even care.

He never gets to enjoy things like this.

I never get to enjoy letting himhavethings like this.

Gratitude overflows from the tap, soaking into my bones, as once again, this giant tattooed stranger has barreled into my life and made my kid smile. I don’t know where he came from, or why he’s here, but I know at this point, I’m going to let him stay because he just does these things… these incredibly nice things.

“Take a breath, dude.” Alex’s voice filters across the table, as he stares at Chase with a disgusted look.

Chase smiles, bits of pancake peeking through his teeth, and Alex cracks a grin, chuckling. “You’re supposed to savor this shi—stuff.”

I huff. “Kind of rude to assume heisn’t, just because he eats them differently than you.”

His eyes sparkle as he looks at me. “He isn’t. I can tell.”

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