The thought stills me for a moment before I manage a response to Chelsea. “Did she, now?” I question as I step into the kitchen and find the beautiful woman sitting at the table about to devour a piece of sweet dessert. Her long, wavy hair is tied in a messy knot on top of her head, thin tendrils of strawberry-blond hanging around her face making her look angelic. Her large doe eyes peek up at me under long lashes.
“Mr.—”
“Austin,” I interrupt her, causing a gorgeous blush to warm her cheeks.
A swift nod of understanding, and she smiles. “Hello, Austin.” Her voice is timid, with a slight tremble.
There’s emotion rolling off her in waves and it matches the way I’m feeling about her. Nervous, excited, and enamored. I can see it in her eyes, affection so deep and pure it steals my breath.
“Daddy,” my little girl murmurs in my ear conspiratorially. “Are you going to kiss Lily again?”
Darting my surprised gaze to my daughter, I open my mouth to respond, but I can’t find the words. Setting her down, I straighten and glance at my babysitter, who is now blushing furiously. Chelsea may be young, but she’s picked up on the tension between the two adults in her life. And that’s what Lily is, an adult.
“Munchkin, can you give me a minute to talk to Lily about something? I’ll come find you after, okay?” I say, giving her a kiss on the top of her head.
“Okay, Daddy.” She nods, her pigtails bouncing as she races into the living room.
Now that we’re alone, the air shifts and there’s evident desire hanging between me and the beauty at my table.
“I’m… I made something to eat. I don’t know if—”
Closing the distance between us, I grip her face in my hands and crash my mouth to hers. I don’t care what I’m doing. Every risk and rule flies out the window when my lips touch hers. A soft whimper falls from her lips and I swallow it. I want all her sweet sounds. I want to taste her essence. Everything this woman is, I want it all.
She rises, her hands snaking their way around my neck, and her body molds to mine. Her mouth is warm, sweet, and so fucking delicious. Her arms twine around my waist, holding on to me as if I’m her lifeline, but I don’t think I am, because in this stormy ocean, she is mine.
Each day I watched her grow closer to my daughter. And every moment she spent in my house as my babysitter, she burrowed her way into my heart. Nothing is going to stop me having her now. She feels perfect, utterly perfect in my arms.
“Austin,” she mumbles against my lips. “My parents.”
Two words and I’m stepping back. I know we need to tell them, to let them get to know me and Chelsea. And what better time to do it than Christmas.
“I’ll go with you. I want you, Lily. Nothing is going to stop this.” I’m earnest in my words. She needs to know this isn’t a one-night stand. I’m here, and if she’ll have me, I’d like to keep her for far longer than just a night.
“Let me talk to them first,” she pleads and I know why. Her father, the sheriff, is not an easy man to please, and I don’t blame him. I’d be the same with Chelsea.
“Okay. But then I want to be by your side after. I need to be. To show him I’m worthy of you, Shortcake,” I mumble against her pink lips.
“Always.” Her murmur is a promise. A heartfelt, honest vow, and I nod.
Lily
“Lily.” My mother looks at me with emotion shimmering in her eyes. “This man, he’s too old for you. And he has a child,” she implores me, telling me everything I already know. Her voice is thick with confusion and as much as I love her, she doesn’t realize this is something I’ve thought of for a lot longer than she can imagine.
“Mom, he’s a good person. I’m not running out to marry him. We’re taking things slow. Please trust me?” This time, I’m the one begging her. I need her to understand. To see I’m not an immature child. I’m not going to do anything stupid, and I know Austin better than he sometimes knows himself. He’s a responsible person. He would never do anything to put Chelsea in harm’s way, whether it’s physical or emotional.
“I just don’t want to see you get hurt, honey. I don’t doubt that he’s a good man. I’ve seen him with his little girl. He’s caring and loving, but becoming a step-in mom for her is not going to be easy.”
I nod in response. This is something I’ve mulled over in my mind for a few days since Austin asked me to go out on a date. It’s a fear that’s kept me up at night. I don’t want to be a replacement, but I feel so at ease with her and she seems comfortable with me around.