Page 3 of Satisfying the King

I took a few steps toward them. “I’ll come, too.”

Carlo turned around and shook his head. “Stay.” He held Dani close and rocked her. “Have a shower and settle in. We can trade after I take her around the house.”

I stopped moving and thought about what he’d just said.

This man wanted me to go take a shower and settle in—while he carried my screaming child around?

I mean, I was definitely getting the better end of the bargain here. Even so, she was my kid. And he shouldn’t have to deal with a crying toddler.

“It’s okay, you go shower first. I can take her.” I walked up to them and set my hands under her armpits.

And.

She.

Yelled even louder.

And thrashed around.

“Good grief,” I whispered to myself and stepped back. This kid was glued to her dada.

Carlo sighed and breathed out a loud huff. “She wants me, Giselle. Just trust me, okay?” He stared into my eyes and kept trying to comfort Dani.

I nodded and touched his arm and squeezed. “I do trust you. I just feel like I’m dumping her on you when she’s my responsibility.”

His eyes grew a little cloudy and he shook his head. “She’s my responsibility, too. I’ve told you that already.” He took a deep breath. “You refuse to believe me, though.”

There was hurt in his eyes and in his words. I’d told him I trusted him—but apparently, I hadn’t shown him.

I looked off to the side for a moment before looking back at him. “Thanks for taking her. I’ll see you guys after I shower.” I slipped my hand off his arm and I walked away.

2

Giselle

“Ifeel bad for him,” Eve whispered to me, “for them. But gosh, how hot does he look holding a baby?” Eve’s eyes widened as she grinned at me.

I giggled quietly as we tiptoed through the living room and into the kitchen.

She was right.

A billion percent correct.

Carlo was hot on any given day.But when he was caring for a cranky, tired, scared toddler?Well, that amped his hotness factor up considerably.

Dani still hadn’t let go of her dada. It was both heartbreaking and terribly sweet to watch.

We tried our hardest to convince Dani to come to us.

Nope.

We tried everything.

Candy.

Chocolate.

Ice cream.

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