After a few seconds, the water feels good compared to the baking sun on my skin. My face is hot. I’m probably as red as a lobster, but Levi did put sunscreen on me, multiple times. His hands always lingering a little longer than necessary in front of Amelia’s innocent gaze.
“You joined us,” Levi says, beaming as he stands on the sandbar. We’re not far out, but the ocean dips and then rises. In the distance, when we first got to the beach, there was old, hardened lava rock to navigate. This beach is perfect for swimming, with soft, sandy shores, unlike a few spots earlier we investigated that turned out to be fun snorkeling enclaves but not great for lounging on the sand.
“Daddy.” Amelia swims to Levi and wraps her arms around his neck.
He holds her waist, helping her stay above water. While it isn’t deep for us, it’s still above her head if she stands.
“I’ve got you,’’ Levi says. “I won’t let anything happen to you, to either of you.” He stares straight into my soul, and I know he means every word.
He protected me from Zander. The offer sent by the lawyer to my ex-husband was enough to have him pack his carry-on bag and move to Mexico, where he could live lavishly.
Levi still kept tabs on him. The Eagle Tactical guys will alert us if Zander’s passport is used to enter the country.
It’s only been a year, but it’s been the best radio-silent year that I could hope for, and by the sound of it, he found himself an eighteen-year-old to obsess over, which makes me happy. His attention is no longer focused on me.
It’s like a weight has been lifted and I can finally breathe again.
“Daddy.” Amelia’s voice is sing-song, sweet and cheerful. “Can I have a baby sister?”
“You have to ask your mommy that question,” Levi says with a growing smile.
“Can we?” Amelia asks, her eyes wide. Levi not having said no apparently means yes to the kid. “You’re not getting any younger.”
My eyes widen. “Did you teach her that? Did you tell her to ask me if she can have a baby sister?” I ask, pinching Levi.
“Ow!” he squawks, and laughs, splashing me. “What was that for?”
“She didn’t learn that on her own. If you want a baby, all you have to do is ask.” I stare, grinning up at him. I’d kiss him, but Amelia is wrapped around his neck, and I don’t want her drowning while the two of us are making out like two teens with raging hormones.
“I want a baby sister!” Amelia declares. “Can we have one?”
“I meant your father,” I say, and press a kiss to Amelia’s cheek and then one to Levi’s lips. It’s soft and sweet, a promise of things to come later, tonight, while we’re in bed together.
“Can we have a baby sister?” Levi asks, his cheeks burning as he tilts his head, his blue eyes and long lashes stealing my heart.
“And if it’s a boy?” I ask, smiling.
“Then I guess we’ll have to keep trying.” Levi chuckles and presses a kiss to my forehead. “I love you so much.”
“I love you too.”
* * *
Thank you for reading Billionaire Grump. I hope you enjoyed Levi and Clare’s story.
One-click Mountain Grump, the second book in the Bossy Single Dad series now!
I know she came here to judge me. Well, she can be my guest…
The average single father would probably tell you they have a lot on their plate. And they wouldn’t be lying.
But do they have an entire ski lodge to manage on top of everything else?
I don’t think so.
I might be a billionaire, but trust me, turning the Blue Sky Resort in Breckenridge, Montana into a skier’s go-to destination has been no piece of cake—not even for me.
And my 15-year-old daughter sure isn’t making things easier.