Page 16 of The Daddy Claus

"Princess."I gently wrap my hand around Hollie's wrist, halting her before she can slip out of the restaurant and disappear on me. I know damn well that's what she planned to do. She was halfway to the door before I noticed she was gone from the table.

"Jordan," she says, resigned.

"Let me walk you out, baby girl."

"My car is right out front."

I know it is. I saw the damn thing when I got here. I should have stolen the keys and sent it to the dump when I bought the SUV, but I didn't think that far ahead.

"Then we won't have to walk far."

She mumbles something under her breath but doesn't argue further.

I lace our fingers together, leading her outside. A blast of cool air hits us, causing her to shiver.

"Shit." I immediately release her hand, stripping my jacket off. I drape it around her shoulders, gently tugging her hair out from beneath the collar. "There, now you won't freeze."

"Thank you. It wasn't this cold when I left." She snuggles into the jacket. It might be my imagination, but I swear she sniffs it.

"The temperature dropped." I place my hand on the small of her back, leading her toward her car. "Did you have a good time?"

"Yes."

"Are you still pissed at me?"

She sighs. "I'm not mad at you. I just don't understand you. You don't owe me a car just because you got me pregnant, Jordan. I'm not your responsibility."

I spin her around to face me. "You think that's why I bought it? Because I think I owe it to you?" I shake my head, not waiting for an answer. "Your car isn't safe, princess. It's old and unreliable. You're not my responsibility because you're carrying my kid. You're my responsibility because my world doesn't fucking work without you in it," I growl. "I need to know you're safe. It's the only way I get any fucking work done."

"I…" She cocks her head to the side, eyeing me. "Really?"

"I haven't stopped thinking about you. Not once." I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, cupping her cheek. "I know you're scared to trust me again. I know I fucked up, princess. I keep fucking up with you. But what's between us is something worth fighting for. I know you believe it, too."

"I do," she whispers, tears welling in her eyes. "But I'm so afraid, Jordan. I don't want to be something you have to figure out if you're ready for or not."

"Fuck," I groan, pressing my forehead to hers. "I hate myself for hurting you, princess. When I said we'd figure it out, I wasn't talking about us. You have to know that."

"What were you talking about?"

"Gabbi. Moving you in with me. Sorting out HR and your parents." I tip her chin up, brushing my lips against hers. "There was never a time I needed to figure out how I feel about you. I've known that since the day I met you."

"I want to believe that."

"Then let me take you somewhere tomorrow. I'll prove it."

"Where?"

"You'll have to wait until tomorrow to see, princess."

She bites her bottom lip, hesitating.

"Just one day, baby girl. If you're still not sure about us after that, I'll back off." I grimace. "I'lltryto back off and give you a little bit of breathing room at work. I won't stop fighting for you. I won't ever fucking stop doing that. But I'll try to stop hovering so goddamn much and give you a little space."

"Just one day?"

"Just one." I tip her chin up until our eyes connect. "But just so we're clear, I'm not after only one day here, princess. It won't satisfy me. I want forever, and I have no intentions of giving up until you're on the same page."

"One day," she agrees with a soft sigh, and for the first time in weeks, I feel like I can fucking breathe.

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