Page 38 of The Refiner

Did he—This man did not just say the wordpardon. “Hold on.” I slip my hand into my pocket, pulling out my phone. “I need Google Translate. I don’t speak old.”

Astor pulls my phone away with a sigh, leveling me with this parenting stare that’s impressive for a first-timer. “Why do you need me to take my shirt off?”

I startle Tatum with a deep belly laugh that makes her cry. “Don’t flatter yourself, your highness. I’m not trying to hit on the elderly.”

“I’m thirty-seven—far from old.”

“If you say so.” I shrug. “Just letting you know that I have a vibrator that you can’t compete with, and sugar daddies aren’t my thing, so no need to fret. I’m all settled with the single life, thanks.”

“I’m not old,” he repeats, seeming slightly offended, “and vibrators are for the timid.”

I gasp. Did he just say what I think he said? “I’m not timid.”

And like he knows I can’t hit him with a baby in my arms, he offers me a shrug and a smirk. “If you say so.”

Okay, I’ve had all I can take of this bonding session with Piper’s one-night stand, baby daddy. “As enlightening as this conversation is, take your shirt off or the next time Tatum needs to be fed, I’ll tell the nurses to bring her to you.”

Total lie.

I’d never let the poor little thing starve, and reluctantly, I can’t bring myself to see Dr. As-tronomical Pecs suffer either.

“I don’t think it’s—”

“—a good idea. I know, but I promised my sister that I would pass along her goodness, and she wouldn’t let her baby’s father go one more minute without holding his daughter.” I flash Astor a severe look. “Your daughter needs you. Let her hear your heartbeat. You’re all she has left in this world.”

I nod slowly, watching Astor’s gaze as the fear is gradually replaced with determination, his fingers going to the buttons of his shirt. “Let her know she isn’t alone. Let her feel the power of being wrapped in your arms. Let her know she’ll always be safe with you.”

Astor has the first four buttons undone, and I’ve almost convinced myself that I need a hug from this man. “She needs her daddy… even if she confuses him with her grandpa from time to time.”

I chuckle as Astor’s hands stop. “I’m kidding, jeez. This poor kid will need Auntie Keys to teach her what a joke is. Clearly, she’s not going to be exposed organically.”

Shooting me a glare, Astor shrugs off his shirt. “I have a sense of humor.”

I can’t even find it in me to argue.

Because damn.

All I can think is…

Pecs.

Abs.

Ripples of flesh that my imagination can’t even make up.

This man’s body is divine. “Not wrinkled,” I find myself muttering.

“Hate to ruin your joke and remind you thatallof me is thirty-seven.”

I nod, unabashedly staring. “You’ll have to fix that. You’re a dad now. All dads must have dad-bods. It’s a rule. All the parents talk about it in online forums. You’ll be cast out of the club with those things.” I point at the hills of muscles on his stomach. This man definitely doesn’t eat Froot Loops out of an ice bucket.

“I bet they’ll let me slide this one time,” he teases. “Since I’m a new father and all.”

The nerve of this man leaning back against the sofa with the smuggest smile in the entire universe. It’s like he’s enjoying making me…bothered? No, I’m not bothered. I’m unimpressed. Yes, that’s it. I’ve seen an amazing male body before. Astor’s is nothing new.

Been there, rode that.

Okay, I likely flippedthatoff, but he doesn’t have to know all the depressing details of my single life.

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