Page 29 of Late Nights & Love Lines
I’m still trying to reconcile the two versions of the same person when Alexei pulls onto the gravel road that leads to my new home.
We round a corner, and the large house comes into view. It’s much more space than we needed, but as soon as I stepped inside, I could feel us making it a home. The large light-gray house sits on a hill overlooking the ocean. Windows cover most of the walls, giving ocean views from almost any vantage point.
My palms itch as though I’m nervous, so I wipe them on my shorts. Alexei notices, but simply raises a brow in recognition.
“If, at any time, your plans change, say the word and I’ll be happy to jump in as your wingman.”
I swing my head in his direction so quickly I’m surprised my eyeballs don’t roll around in my skull. “What’s that supposed to mean? I’m here to solidify this merger, to remove my kids from the fuckery at home, and to find a nanny—a permanent nanny—that’s it.”
He opens his door and climbs out, but not before mumbling, “And plans have a funny way of changing.”
God, he infuriates me sometimes. Not even Nick could get under my skin as Alexei does, and Nick always had a bit of a mean streak in him.
Thinking of the man who is still actively trying to turn investors against me reminds me of the betrayal that led me here in the first place. It’s the reminder I need. The reminder to put my children first—nothing else matters as long as they’re happy, healthy, and safe.
Not even the sexy Rowan Ellis.
“Okay,well, I’m out of here.” Alexei’s sly grin is annoying. He’s spent all morning trying to witness the chemistry between me and Rowan in person and it makes me want to kick him out and lock the door.
Instead, I focus on wiping down the kitchen island and wait for him to show himself out.
“You’re not staying with us, Uncle Alex? I have a bunk room. You can sleep with me and Kade. It’s, ah…” Miles scratches the side of his head. “We’ve been having fun. Right, Ser?” He looks to his sister, almost as if he’s asking permission to be happy, and acid crawls up my throat.
“Right,” Seren says. At least she attempted to hold back her sarcasm for him, but I’m starting to miss the Gen-Z slang that used to send me to Google with every conversation. This version of my daughter is muted and much too old for her years.
“I love you, kid, but my bunk bed days are over. I’ll be at a hotel in Corolla, it’s not too far away. I’ll come by in the morning to pick up your dad for our meetings, then we’ll be back to explore the camp with you in the afternoon.”
“Uncle Alex is scared of bugs,” I whisper to Kade as he sits in my lap at the island with a coloring book and crayons. He’s been attached to me since I walked in. My little boy gasps, and mischief sparkles in his shining eyes.
“That’s silly.” Kade giggles.
“Uncle Alex is silly,” I stage-whisper.
A knock on the kitchen doorframe has us all turning toward the sound. Rowan stands in the open doorway with the sun filtering in behind her. Her dirty blond hair is piled high on her head with random strands spilling out as though she just rolledout of bed and didn’t bother brushing it, yet it’s so sexy I can’t drag my gaze away. She’s so fucking beautiful.
She’s wearing a form-fitting black tank top with a pair of very short running shorts, and the strings of a pink bikini sneak out through her top to wrap around her neck.
“Good morning,” she says cheerily. Glancing around the room, she pauses only briefly on Alexei. A perverse sense of satisfaction hits me when she doesn’t show an ounce of recognition.
“Good morning,” I reply. Kade wiggles from my lap and barrels through the room toward her.
Rowan crouches down, but he doesn’t ease up on his speed and almost knocks her over. She catches herself with her free hand and keeps them both upright. He wraps his arms around her tightly and she pats him awkwardly on the back.
That’s…strange. I’ve seen her pick him up before. Is she really that awkward about a hug? Is it because everyone’s staring at her, or did I reinforce her walls by insisting we’d be friends again?
She stands, but Kade immediately slips his hand into hers, and I watch as each muscle in her body relaxes once she has a little space.
“Are we going? Are we going on a hike now?” Kade asks, bouncing on his toes.
Rowan’s face erupts like the first rays of sunshine on a cloudy day as she slowly reveals her perfectly straight teeth and dimples my fingers ache to caress. I purposefully fill my lungs with air, so I don’t do something stupid, like pass out in front of her, but that’s the effect she has—the ability to make me forget basic human functions like freaking breathing.
“We can head out as soon as we cover you with sunscreen.”
“All done,” he grins. “Daddy sprayed us.”
“Oh.” She seems surprised, but I’ve always been a hands-on dad. “Well, if you get your hats on, we can go.” She turns to Seren, and her lips dance around a smile—somehow it conveys understanding.
“Did you decide to come with us?” Rowan asks. Everyone tenses, waiting for my little girl’s response.
