Chapter Five

Matias

I probably shouldn’t have bombarded her with shopping for the fundraiser, but I didn’t want to let the opportunity pass me by. I should have waited until she was settled, but I wanted to do something with her. I wanted to get out of the house and show her the world she could have if she stayed with me.

If she were mine.

And she is. Sophie just doesn’t know it yet.

“Daddy? Can we go to the carousel while we are out? Pleeeeease,” she begs, staring up at me with her big eyes that shouldn’t have this much power over me.

“You know it. We’re going to go shopping, get lunch, and ice cream.” I tickle her sides and she giggles, kicking her legs as I try to put on her shoes.

“Ice cream! With sprinkles?”

“All the sprinkles you want, Ella Bella.”

“Yay! Nanny Sophie is coming, right? I don’t want to go without her.”

“Yes, she is.” I peer up from my daughter to see Sophie sliding her purse onto her bare shoulder. She’s changed into a tight pair of jeans and her shoes are a chunky white wedge.

She looks like summertime.

I love summer.

Her shirt hangs off her shoulder, showing the smooth skin that I want to trail my fingers across until I grip the back of her neck to pull her in for a kiss.

Something about showing the slight amount of flesh has desire burning so deep, I feel the vines of it gripping my soul, pulling me forward to claim Sophie.

“What are we going shopping for, Daddy?” Ella asks.

I finish tying her shoe. “Well, we have to get some formal clothes and maybe get you a few things too, but we are going to spoil Nanny Sophie. What do you say?”

“Yay! Can I pick things out too for Sophie?”

The grin is forced because I’m trying to imagine the things Ella would buy for Sophie. They would probably be all pink.

“Maybe. That would be fun,” I state, keeping it neutral and Sophie laughs in the background.

“Are we ready?”

“Ready.” Ella leaps off the couch and flies down the stairs. “Uncle Gianni!” She says so loud, it echoes through the house. “You’re coming too?”

“Someone has to keep an eye on all of you,” he replies.

“She’s excited,” Sophie says as she walks down the steps.

I follow beside her. “She is. I can’t promise what she’ll choose for you.”

“I’m excited to find out. You know I can purchase my own clothes, right? I don’t expect you to buy them.”

I open the front door for her so she can exit first. “I know, but this is for work, so I’ll be paying. Don’t argue with me, okay?”

She rolls her eyes at me. “Okay.”

I snag her wrist and gently spin her to me. “And don’t roll your eyes at me, Sweet Sophie.”

“And why not? If it causes for an eye roll…” she tests, giving me an unsure look.