Page 78 of Where the Blacktop Ends

I smile. “I’m glad you think so. I’ll let you pack. I’m gonna throw a few things in a bag and make some coffee for us.” I stand upand stretch my arms overhead. Forty years old and even though I slept well, my body still wakes up stiff and sore most mornings. I notice her eyes watching me hungrily, lingering on the fact that I’m still shirtless and only in boxers, with an unmistakable tent between my thighs due to her little hand job. I’d like to put it in her but I’m patient and I will,soon.

She groans, “You’re killing me, Governor Marshall.”

I freeze. “No.”

Her wicked grin widens. “Papa?”

“Absolutely not. That’s reserved for Liam.”

“Daddy?”

I swallow hard, wetting my lips before stepping forward and taking both of her ass cheeks into my hands and squeezing firmly. She gasps. “No.”

“Big Papa?” she whispers, testing the waters. There’s a teasing tone to her question but I can tell she wants this too. A special nickname just between us that makes it feel real.

“I’ll allow it.” I lean down, brushing a soft kiss across the top of her head as she sighs in contentment.

A few minutes later, I’ve managed to avoid sneaking back into her bedroom to fuck her, packed a small bag for our trip and Georgia’s joined me in the kitchen for coffee when Liam bursts through the front door.

“Papa!” he squeals, running into the kitchen and wrapping his arms around my legs as high as he can reach.

“You’re not working today?” Eleanor asks.

“Hey, buddy,” I say, bending down to scoop him up into a hug and kiss. “Nope, not today. I took the day off because guess what—we’re taking a trip!”

“Where?” His big brown eyes widen with excitement.

“To see your great grandpa Marshall, and your great uncles and aunts in North Carolina.”

Eleanor smiles from the doorway, her grey brows raising in surprise. “You’re going too?” she asks Georgia.

Georgia smiles, nodding as she hoists her and Liam’s bags over her shoulder. Before she can take a step, I move toward her, taking the bags from her hands and grabbing my own.

“She is,” I confirm.

“Well, shit if this isn’t the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,” Eleanor mutters, and I swear she wipes at a tear as I chuckle, guiding them both out the door to the town car waiting to take us to the airport.

Chapter 30 – Georgia

Where’s my little boy!” A female voice squeals as soon as we enter through the doors of the beautiful farmhouse that Troy grew up in.??

It’s a gorgeous property. A large, paved driveway from the main road out in the middle of the country. The trees have all turned shades of orange, red and yellow now that Autumn is in full force and the home is large, boasting of years spent living and several additions built on to it.

Behind it, I can make out two other extensive driveways that Troy mentioned lead to the home he built for him and Max twenty years ago and the other where his brother Lawson who manages sales for their businesses lives with his son, Beckham.

Troy’s other siblings, Cash and his sister Regan, still live in the main house with their father. They’ve yet to have moved out and prefer to keep close to where they work on the Whitewood Creek Farmstead and Distillery.

It’s a lot of family—more people to meet at one time than I expected—but I’m excited to see this side of Troy where his guard might be lowered. It’s a side I’ve never known, the one that might reveal who he really is when he isn’t fighting injustices and bossing people around. Plus, despite being an only child, I always ached to be a part of a big family.

A woman I assume to be Troy’s sister, Regan, comes through the kitchen and into the living room, her arms spread wide open, a big smile lighting up her pretty face. She has dark, auburn wavy hair and bright blue eyes, and she immediately stoops down to Liam, enveloping him in a tight hug.

“You’ve grown so much!” she exclaims, peppering his face with affectionate kisses. “It’s been what, six months since your grandpa last brought you home?” she says between smooches. “I don’t know how he could stand to keep someone this sweet away from us for so long!” After finishing her fussing over Liam, she stands and gives Troy a hug before turning her attention on me.

“Hi, Georgia! I’m Regan,” she says, pulling me into a tight hug. I can’t help but like her instantly—her warmth is contagious. Troy told me we were the same age and similar in spirit, and I can already tell he’s right. “I can’t wait to share all the stories about your grumpy boss.”

Troy rolls his eyes, but before he can respond, an older man joins us in the living room. “So, you finally brought the nanny home with my great-grandson,” the man says, his gaze landing on me.

“Dad, this is Georgia Cameron,” Troy introduces, and I like the fact that he doesn’t introduce me as justthe nanny.

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