Aside from that, I’m currently experiencing a full-blown, raging case of love. That moment in the stadium when Dean completely stopped the game just to kiss his little girl and tell her he loves her, melted me to the core. I can’t help thinking if every dad was like him, the world would be a much different place.
And if anyone thought for a second that the baby-smoochie moment made Dean look like a pussy, those thoughts were immediately erased when he kicked ass and took names on the field.
I honestly hate football, but even I was losing my mind watching Dean play. It was insane! He dodged tackles, he ducked tackles, and he even jumped over some guy who was going for his knees. Jerk. That would have really hurt Dean if he weren’t so quick on his feet. The other team couldn’t touch him.
By the end of the game, I swear I was ready to drop my panties right there and try to tackle him myself. So hot. And that muscled ass? Jesus, it should be illegal for a man’s ass to look like that. How am I ever going to concentrate again? Lara, have you finished that report?
No, sorry. I’m doodling an image of Dean’s ass.
Lara, shouldn’t you be watching the road while you’re driving?
Yes. I should. But I’m too busy thinking of Dean’s ass.
Those are the kinds of conversations I can look forward to in the near future.
I park around the back of the complex next to Dean’s truck, which he’ll leave here for a few days.
Dean walks over to help with Fia, whom he grabs from the back. “Let’s make this fast and get out of here. Lots to do.” He winks.
I don’t know if he’s eager to get back to my place for sex or if he’s nervous about Tony showing up. Either way, I agree.
Dean looks at Fia. “And no beer for you, little girl. No flirting either. Those boys are much too old for you.” He chuckles and looks at me. “Just practicing for when she’s older.”
I can’t imagine what Dean will be like when Fia’s old enough to date. I bet he’ll scare off all the boys. Honestly, I won’t blame him. There is something special about her. Maybe it’s her big wonderous eyes. Maybe it’s her cherublike face or the way she smiles all the time, like she’s watching us and enjoying herself. I don’t know, but this week, as difficult and tragic as it’s been, has helped me in ways I never imagined.
I have love to thank for that, I think. When it clicked for me with Dean, it clicked hard. I just knew this was meant to be. Him. Me. Fia. I’ll never get my daughter back, but I have found my home with these two.
Dean cradles Fia in his large arms. He’s such a huge guy with big biceps, it always makes Fia look like a miniature doll.
I so want him. He’s got to be the hottest dad in the world. “Let’s hurry. I’m itching for some payment.”
Dean flashes a grin. “Stop. You’ll give me a boner.”
I shake my head. He’s hilarious. Most of the time.
I follow him up the stairs. The two of us are chatting away, talking about options for dinner at my place and how to get Fia to bed early tonight. I’ve never been so grateful to have two bedrooms.
Dean reaches for the front door of his apartment, totally oblivious to the reporters running toward us down the hall. I’m eager to duck inside and avoid them until something strikes me as weird. There’s no noise inside.
“Wait. Didn’t you say there’s a party—”
I’m too late. Because Dean steps inside. “Lara, don’t come in here,” he says.
“Shut up,” says a deep voice.
I don’t know what I’m thinking, other than I’m not about to leave Fia and Dean, because I step inside. A much, much wiser choice than running for help, Lara. You idiot!
Running was probably our only hope.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
“You. Get over there and join your friends.” Tony Rigatoni waves a very large gun at my face. He’s not a big man, but there’s something about his eyes that screams crazy person! It’s hard to describe other than they lack any sign of human warmth. Apart from that, he looks like your average Joe—short brown hair, medium build, and a paunch. Nothing menacing or scary about him, including his outfit. Brown pants, a gray golf shirt, and a Members Only jacket.
Okay, there is the gun, so I guess that makes him scary. My eyes gravitate toward a figure lying on the couch.
Now that makes him horrifying. Apparently, Tony has killed one of Dean’s teammates. Or could be a roommate. I really can’t tell from the angle of the hand mixer sticking out of the guy’s face.
What is with this guy and kitchen stuff? Maybe his mother was a mean chef.