Page 44 of Wishing Hearts

Harrison’s lips twist, and it looks like he’s battling his own laughter. “You’re not in trouble, Pumpkin. What was the chirping?”

Winnie lets out a big gust of air before throwing her arms up. “I don’t even know! It was gone when we got there.”

“All right,” Harrison says, crossing his arms casually, a little smile on his face. “Why don’t you and Tigger head upstairs? You can give her a bath first. Then yourself.”

The little blonde groans. “Why do I gotta—” At Harrison’s raised brow, Winnie sighs. “Fine.”

She tromps off toward the stairs, calling for Tigger to follow, and dirty human and dog disappear from sight. I swear I hear “not fudging fair” as footsteps hammer up the stairs.

“Oh my God,” I mutter, eyes wide. “There was dirt in her ear. Her ear, Harrison. She was outside for ten minutes. How the heck did that happen?”

“I don’t know,” he says, shaking with laughter. “I really don’t. It’s a talent.”

“I’d say,” I agree.

Turning, Harrison grabs the tray of biscuits and pops them in the oven. He sets the timer before grabbing a pan and putting it on the stovetop. He pauses then, looking toward me. “I’m sorry.”

“For what?” I ask.

“For freezing when she came inside.”

“Harrison,” I say gently, heading back his way. “You’re not ready for PDA in front of your daughter. You already told me that, and I respect it. I’m not gonna push.”

He sighs a little, reaching for my hand. Much to my surprise, he tugs me closer and then curls his fingers through my belt loops, holding me in place. “You make it so easy, Sam.”

“It doesn’t have to be difficult,” I reply.

Harrison’s brow crinkles at that.

“It doesn’t,” I say, resting my weight against his body, hands on the counter beside his hips. “I like you, Harrison. You gave me boundaries, and I heard you. So I’m not gonna kiss you unless we’re alone”—I punctuate my point with a featherlight brush of my lips against his—“and I’m not gonna stay the night until you ask me to. But, stud?”

“Yeah?” Harrison asks a little breathily.

“I really hope you let me into your bed soon. ’Cause I want my mouth on you, every piece of you. I wanna suck down your cock. I wanna hear your moans. I wanna bite your damn ass until you muffle your cries into the pillow.”

Harrison curses, eyes on my lips.

“Your needs and wants?” I tell him softly. “They matter.”

I’m not a parent, no. But the idea that this man has felt alone for so long… That he hasn’t had anyone to care for him, even in the smallest of ways, while he’s been taking care of his family? It makes me damn sad.

“You matter,” I add. “It doesn’t have to be all or nothin’. You can have things that are just for you, too. Lemme give you that.”

He lets out a big, shuddering breath. It takes a moment before he speaks. “Sammy?”

“Yeah?” I ask brightly, stomach flipping.

He runs his thumbs along the top of my waistband, right near my hipbones. “You can bite my ass. So long as I can bite yours, too.”

My cock kicks up, and I’m positive Harrison feels it. He smirks a little.

“Bite my ass anytime,” I tell him.

He hums before letting go. “Dinner first.”

Insides fizzing, I step back so Harrison can start cooking bacon on the stove. And as I whip up some eggs the way Harrison requests, my mind runs over all the ways I can help this man let go of his burdens.

At least for a little while.

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