Page 66 of The Way We Collide

“I don’t mind.” My voice is quiet, and my eyes slide over his muscled arms in that tee holding our little girl with so much confidence.

I think about the first time I handed her to him, and he almost turned her upside down.

“Did you like the movie?”

“Yeah, I’m surprised.” I look up to see a glint in his eyes. “It was good.”

“You’re surprised?”

“I mean, come on. It’s about an old lady and her chauffeur.”

“I wouldn’tsteeryou wrong,” I tease.

He grins, tilting his head to the side. “I’m glad I didn’t live in those days. I’d have gotten into a lot of fights.”

“It’s hard to imagine.”

We walk to the kitchen, and I leave all our things by the sink. Following him to Haddy’s room, I do my best not to gaze at his perfect ass flexing in those thin joggers.

Clenching my teeth, I remind myself of his one-date rule. I remember his love of the game, his dream of building a legacy and playing football until he’s too old to throw a good pass.

It actually works.

I wait at the door, watching as he bends down to put Haddy in her crib. The nightlight casts a galaxy of stars on her ceiling and the temperature is right. A baby monitor is on the side table, and he picks up one of the small receivers.

Slowly, he walks to where I’m standing at the door, hesitating like he might stay.

“She’ll be okay,” I whisper. “I’m right across the hall.”

His shoulders drop, and he nods. “I know. I just… I don’t ever want her to be afraid.”

My heart melts a little more as I close the door. “You’re a good daddy.”

He stands in front of me in all his rock-hard gorgeousness, and that naughty smile is back as he looks down into my eyes.

“What?”

“It didn’t work, Pink.” A tease is in his tone.

A tingle moves through my stomach. “What didn’t work?”

“The movie. It didn’t work. I still want you.”

“Hendrix…” I try to argue, but I don’t have a leg to stand on.

“Don’t worry, I know.” Leaning forward, he kisses the side of my cheek, surrounding me with the scent of seduction and soap. When he straightens, his eyes linger on my lips, which are heavy. “See you in the morning.”

With that, he walks away, and I lean against the door trying to catch my breath.

17

Hendrix

I’m really not trying to wear her down, I promise, but when Raven walks into the kitchen wearing a curve-hugging black skirt that ends at her knees and black heels, I sit back in my chair.

“Dang, my wife is fine.” Haddy is in her baby chair waiting for her next bite of cereal, but I need a minute.

Raven’s ears turn as pink as the linen top she’s wearing, and she goes to the coffee machine. “You shouldn’t say that.”

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