Page 97 of Ghost

I rubbed the back of my neck. “Uh, yeah.”

Fuck!

“Jesus Christ!” Melissa stormed off, muttering, “Is there anyone in my freaking life who isn’t a goddamn biker?”

“Princess, wait.”

I caught up to her just as she turned and narrowed her eyes at me. “Why do you call me that?”

“What?”

“Princess.”

She stood there, Dani on her hip, and in that moment every thought in my head was gone. Replaced by a fantasy. Melissa standing in front of the clubhouse, baby on her hip, her belly round with another one.

Fuck, I knew I wanted her to be my old lady, but until this moment I hadn’t thought beyond that. Never gave much thought to being a dad. I never knew mine.

But damn, if I didn’t want to be a father to her children.

I reached over, taking Dani from her and holding her in my arms. Looking back at Melissa, I smiled. Yeah, I wanted to knock her the fuck up.

I kissed Melissa’s forehead and walked inside with Dani, ignoring her question. I wasn’t sure she would like my answer, and I didn’t want her mad at me.

Anger was the biggest cockblocker of all.

When I walked into the clubhouse, Tank was on the couch with the three girls. Looking at the TV, I was surprised it wasn’t playingMy Little Ponies. Charlie had gotten the behemoth hooked. Today it looked like... Fuck, was thatTinkerbell?

“What the hell are you watching?”

“Tinkerbell and friends,” he answered without looking at me. I swear it was like this man had never experienced cartoons before.

Tank was lying on the couch. Tabby laid in front of him with his arm around her like he was preventing her from rolling off. She was sound asleep with her teddy bear tucked in under her head like a pillow.

Charlie and Chrissy sat on his hip and legs; their eyes glued to the animated show on the screen.

“Got room for one more?” I asked, walking over to where the girls were piled on top of him.

“Sure,” he said. I set Dani on his waist next to Charlie, who immediately put her arm around the little girl so she didn’t fall.

“What are you doing?” Melissa cried and moved to take Dani.

“Easy, Princess. The girls love Tank. He watches cartoons with them every weekend. There is no one in this clubhouse they are safer with.”

Dani’s eyes went to the screen, and I watched as they widened with the vivid colors and fast-paced movement.

“Has she watched cartoons before?”

“Not often. I try to limit her screen time. I knew growing up with Danny and Dante, computers would be a huge part of her life, so I try to limit it now while she’s learning all the things she should have already learned.”

“Well, a little time watching TV with the girls won’t hurt. Come sit at the bar with me. We won’t leave the room.”

Melissa and I talked while Dani watched cartoons with Tank and the girls.

“You never answered my question,” she said, bringing the glass of wine the prospect gave her to her lips. I watched as she took a sip. She was so fucking beautiful. Her tongue darted out to erase any trace of the fermented grapes left on her lips.

I reached down, adjusting myself, not trying to hide it in any way. What was the point? She knew I wanted her. Knew firsthand how her body affected mine.

She raised an eyebrow at my crass display, and I was reminded of the heat in her eyes that night we met. How her gaze was locked on mine while I eye-fucked her without shame.

---