Page 108 of Bountiful
ChapterThirty-One
Zara
We took Nicole out back,where she buzzed around like a little bee on the lawn. I pictured the two of us playing out here next summer and the summer after that, while she grew into an even more active toddler and then a leggy preschooler. I could push her in the swing. I could even put a sandbox right here outside the kitchen window where I could watch her while I madelunch.
Dave sat down on the grass, running a hand over the green blades beside him. “Grass is getting a little long. We’ll have to find someone tocutit.”
“I’ll ask Benito for a recommendation,” I said quickly. “Next summer I’ll get a reel mower and do itmyself.”
Dave glanced at me, his face thoughtful. But he didn’t say anything. He didn’t call me out for the way I’d just cut him out of the picture, assuming that he wouldn’t be around to cut the grass of the house he’d just bought, or its neighbornextdoor.
But would he? My gut said no. He’d get back to New York, realize his bachelor life looked pretty good, and cross Vermont off his travel plans for the foreseeablefuture.
I couldn’t plan on him returning. I just couldn’t even thinkaboutit.
When Nicole began to tire herself out, I gathered her up and corralled her back into the house. “Time for stories,” I whispered in her ear, and she squirmed because she knew that stories meantbedtime.
Dave gathered the trash from our meal, the clip-on chair, and thebabypack.
“I’ll drive you down the hill to your car,” I offered, and he quietlyagreed.
He hadn’t said much since we’d talked in the kitchen. And he was silent in the car as we practically coasted down Main Street toward the river. I pulled into a parking space between two other cars—I was still too freaked out from the near-miss to stop anywhere that wasn’t protected—and killed theengine.
I cast a glance at Nicole, who was looking downrightsleepy.
Dave laid a hand on my arm. “Just a minute, gorgeous. There’s something important I need toaskyou.”
“Mmm?” My mind was on the baby and whether I could get her teeth brushed before she startedfussing.
“Let me be with you tonight,” hewhispered.
“Wait, what?” I brought my focus to his heart-stopping face and the heated expression there. Had he even been listening in the kitchen? “Didn’t you hear me when I said I needed you to take some time tothink?”
“Every word.” He took my hand and raised it to his stubbled face, kissing my palm with such sweetness that I held in a gasp. “You said Nicole won’t remember this summer. But I knowyouwill. And I sure as hell won’t everforgetit.”
“And?” He caressed my hand, which was verydistracting.
“AndI already promised I’d go back to work and think about my situation. But I’m asking you the opposite favor—not to think at all until I go back. Don’t think.Justbe.”
“Be…withyou,” I clarified. “In what way?” I asked, even though it was a stupidquestion.
His voice dropped low. “Let me love youtonight.”
“And what would thatsolve?”
“If you can’t figure that out, then I can’t really help you,” he said quietly. Then he reached across the gear shift to cup my cheek. “But I’m pretty sure you won’t besorry.”
His fingertips brushed my skin so lightly that I shivered. “How do you know I won’t be sorry?” I was pretty sure Iwould. Not tonight, of course. Tonight would be wonderful. But I’d just be digging the hole deeper for my poor, brokenheart.
“You asked me not to toy with my daughter’s affections.” Those green eyes stared me down, and I couldn’t look away. “And I won’t do that. But you just told me you were a big girl who didn’t worry about knowing the outcome of the game before the hand wasdealt.”
Fuck me, Ihadsaid that. What a giant lie it was, too. “Maybe you’re not what I need right now,though.”
“Aren’t I?” His hot gaze called me on every last one of my lies. “Why don’t you let me convince you thatIam?”
“Convince me,” I snarked. “With your…” I didn’t want to saydickin front of my child, so I dropped my eyes tohislap.
He grinned. Then he tugged my hand, drawing his big body closer to mine, and kissed me once on the corner of the mouth. He slid one rugged cheek against my face as a shiver climbed my spine. He whispered in my ear, “I’m very persuasive. Not just with my cock. But also my fingers. And mymouth.”
