Page 100 of Protector Daddy

“Thank you, Doctor Science. I know how the process works.” I opened the driver’s door and waited until he finally finished clearing off the windows on the other side of the vehicle.

Then he moved to the roof.

I groaned. “Seriously?”

“It’s a hazard to you and to other drivers not to remove all snow from your vehicle.”

I had to bite my tongue because I really, really wanted to be snarky. That probably wasn’t the way to encourage him to propose.

Not that I necessarily needed a ring right now. There was no rush. But he’d put the wife thing in my head. And then the baby thing again.

Until this morning, the idea of beinghishad seemed really fucking wonderful. At least before he’d started acting like my taskmaster instead of my boyfriend. He didn’t even know I was pregnant yet for sure.

Lord only knew what he’d insist on if I actually was. Probably bedrest.

I was a hot mess of confusion, and I was about to devour that ham sandwich standing in his driveway. I wouldn’t have time to eat it otherwise.

“Why are you dressed in your full police regalia? I thought you had today off.”

“Covering for the Chief this morning. Brady also out with the baby. By the afternoon, I’ll be free.”

“Oh, is Tab actually trusting him to help?”

“It’s his kid, Honey. The man can certainly care for his own child.”

I did my best to keep my face composed. “He can, of course. But the first time Presley isn’t feeling well, she needs her mother.”

Christian stared at me across the top of my vehicle. “So women are inherently better at childcare than men, is that it?”

“I didn’t say that. I need to get to the bakery. Can we argue later?”

“We aren’t arguing. We’re having a discussion.”

“Can we have a discussion later?”

He slapped his snow brush against the hood to get the snow off then dumped it on the floor of the backseat. “Fine. Have a good day.”

I was about to get in and slam my door when I remembered he was going to work. His potentiallydangerouswork.

In police work, you just never knew.

Not to mention he had an important day with Reagan and his family—a day I had to miss part of against my will. Maybe even the whole thing if things didn’t swing my way with work.

Halfway into the car, I reversed course and popped back out to round the car to his side. His eyes widened in surprise as I leaned up to frame his face. “New rule.”

“Okay.”

“We never part without a kiss and an I love you.” I kissed his chin.

“Chin doesn’t count.” He dragged my mouth up to his, his cool lips warming under mine. “Much better. I love you. Have a good day.”

“I love you. Be careful, okay?” I gripped him by his lapels. “You’re entirely too hot in your police finery so stay inside behind closed doors.”

His grin made me almost forget his heavy-handedness. But to be fair, I’d been a jerk too. “Ditto. Maybe I’ll stop by for a croissant.”

“Maybe I’ll slip you a freebie. Hope you can escape at a decent time.”

“I will.”

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