Page 14 of Burning Embers
“I hope so. I don't know how many times those guys have been told to have spotters. It's no joke lifting those kinds of weights. Henry has been doing this for years, and evenhewould never without someone spotting him." He runs his fingers through his hair.
"You were amazing—how quickly you reacted," I say.
He smiles. "Careful, it kinda sounded like a compliment."
I laugh, turning to head back upstairs before glancing over my shoulder. "It was meant to.”
He smiles, but it’s not the cock sure one I’ve seen him use on women at the bar…or when he’s flirting. I force myself to look where I’m going before I embarrass myself by falling up the stairs.
Chapter Ten
RACHEL
“What do you mean, you’re moving to Dubai?”
Molly fidgets in my hold; I let her get down. Barely through the door to drop her off to Marcus, and he launches into a speech about moving out of the bloody country—what the hell?
“As I said, it’s a great opportunity.”
I shake my head, struggling to digest his words.“Molly, go put your bag in your room.” She spins in a circle, showing off her tutu before doing as she’s told. “You are positively crazy, Marcus. You don’t just decide—not without talking it through with me.”
He crosses his arms. “Last I checked, I was free to do what I wanted.”
I cannot believe him. “Yes, as a single guy. But as the father to our daughter? Not so much. What about Molly—have you even considered her?” I ask, waving my hands in front of me.
“Of course, I have.”
I lean back, incredulous. “How so?”
“For fuck’s sake, Rach.”
“Fuck,” repeats Molly. I gasp and spin around to crouch down in front of her. “You do not repeat that word, Molly. It’s naughty.”
She pokes out her chest in defiance.Great,here we go. “Daddydid.”
“And Daddy is sorry, aren’t you, Marcus?”
He at least has the good grace to seem apologetic as he nods. “I am. I shouldn’t have said it, and you shouldn’t repeat it.”
“We need to discuss this, but now is not the time.”
“I don’t know why you can’t be happy for me, Rach…”
I squeeze my eyes closed and take a deep breath before I open them. “Marcus, my priority, in case you haven’t noticed, is our daughter—not another one of your whims.”
His phone vibrates, and I know his attention is now lost.
“Molly, come give me a kiss goodbye.” I give her a big squeeze and a kiss on the top of her head; she’s already wriggling to get free.
“Hey, Pumpkin, shall we have pizza?”
Does he ever cook?
“I’m not a pumpkin,” she says, annoyance lacing her voice.
“Oh? Then what are you?” he asks, amused.
“I’m a flamingo princess.” Marcus and I share a laugh.
