Page 78 of Draft Pick
He looks like a man-sized Barbie doll, but the heat between us still simmers. “I’m sorry for stopping by unannounced. I thought Addie was with Hilary. I can come back.”
“Why are you here, Doc?”
I shake my head nonchalantly, acting as if I’m every part calm and collected. “Oh, I was just in the neighborhood.”
A slow hiss eludes him. “Not looking like that, you weren’t.”
I kick my Christian Louboutin heel to the side, showing the bright red underside. “These babies? They’re new. Had to break them in somehow,” I laugh.
“I see. And the coat?”
I fake a shiver. “Gotta love these chilly May nights, am I right?”
Crew glares, burning a hole through the buttons of my coat. “What’s underneath the coat, Juniper?”
“Scrub—”
“My gift?” he interrupts. “Is my well-earned gift underneath all that fabric?”
I can’t lie. Not when Crew looks at me like he wishes we were alone and he could find out for himself. So, I nod and don’t speak another word.
His eyes fall closed momentarily, and I hate that our timing always seems to be off. “Fuck.”
“I’m gonna go,” I rush, spinning quickly to retreat.
“Don’t go.” His hand reaches for me, pulling me closer until we’re cheek to cheek. Even in heels, he has to bend down to reach me, but does it with ease. “Wait for me, okay?” he whispers, his gravelly voice melting into the warmth of my skin.
I pull back to look at him and tuck the box to my side. My free hand reaches his makeup-painted face, and I stroke my thumb against the side of his cheek. “I’ll wait. Go take care of that little girl in there.”
I hand him the box and walk away slowly.
“Daddy!” Addie yells, making me laugh.
The door closes behind him, and although nothing about this went as planned, I did get something out of it.
Confirmation that we feel the same.
24
CREW
Deep breaths.
I’ve had enough time to convince myself out of this, but there’s no turning back now. Hilary’s car pulled out of the driveway, and seconds later, mine followed, soon parking directly in front of Juniper’s house.
If I go inside, there’s no going back. She will be mine. I’ll make sure of it.
I’ve spent the past three months wrestling with wanting her and doing right by my family. But somewhere along the way, I forgot to ask what if? Or why not? Why not let myself fall for a beautiful woman who understands and appreciates me? Why not give my daughter one more person in her life who chooses her? Loves her? Will stand up and fight for her?
Because Juniper does that.
I knew I needed to use this week as my chance to woo her, if you will. To help her see how much I notice her. I notice the things she loves and the things she hates. I haven’t missed a beat.
I like to think of myself as a gentleman, but nothing about the way my cock stirs for her feels gentle. It’s as if we’ve beentiptoeing on a tight rope, hand in hand, since meeting, only waiting for the rope to snap.
Enter me, snapping that measly rope in half. Right the fuck now.
I throw the Suburban in park and get to her door in record time. There’s a soft glow from inside the house, telling me Juniper’s home. I know from the previous times I’ve given her rides that she stores her Audi SUV in the garage at night, terrified of break-ins.
