Page 123 of Buckin' Around

Dammit, Riles.

Fuck, now I feel like the world’s biggest asshole.

I strap Ivy into her seat and find her pacifier. She’s snuggling up with Mr. Fluffy a beat later, her eyes drifting shut, and I close the truck and send my gaze around the grounds for Riley.

Come on, Riles. Where are you, baby?

Not wanting to leave Ivy in the truck alone, I open the driver’s door and sit on the seat, facing out. I turn my hat around in my hands as I think over the last nine months of my life.

Ofourlives.

Would I have simply handed my daughter back?

I don’t know now that I wouldn’t have. I knew what it would cost me, and I was adamant at the time that it didn’t turn out that way. Despite my best efforts to lead a double life in relation to the expectations of a Lockwood and being a dad, I failed anyway.

I did lose that part of my life.

Now, looking back on it, I can’t say I’m worse off.

Footsteps crunch over the grass, and I snap my attention up. Maggie and Riley are wandering toward the truck. Slowly, they home in on me, chatting away. Like what’s being conveyed between them is far more important than me sitting here.

“Night, Riley,” Maggie says. “Night, Spence.” She gives me her wide, genuine, happy smile and waves as she turns and makes her way back to where her and Hadley are parked for the night. Under their big tree. Those two always find a tree to park under, no matter the event or the location.

My focus is back on Riley as she walks toward me. I step out of the truck and meet her halfway.

“Riles, I’m sorry,” I breathe, hands closing around her jawline as I lift her face up, her gaze connecting with mine. “Ivy is all you’ve ever cared about, and I’m the world’s stupidest asshole for doubting that for even a second.”

“No. You’re an eejit. Plain and simple. But I am so sorry I didn’t tell you about the note later on. To be honest, I forgot about it. And when that woman talked about Ives like that...”

Fire lances through her eyes, and her jaw feathers in my palm.

I chuckle, low and soft.

“You are the softest, most fiery, protective person I have ever met. Goddamn, woman, you are driving me fucking crazy. And yes, I am aware how fucked up those two statements sound.”

Riley’s eyes search my own. “Do you really think she will try to take Ivy back?”

I sigh. “I don’t know, Riles. I hope not. But if she does, she’s in for one hell of a fight.”

A sad smile props up one side of her pretty mouth.

I haul her into my body, smooshing her head into my chest as I plant a kiss to the crown of her head. The ways I love this woman are too many to count.

Soft snores drift from the inside of the truck, and we both lose breathy laughs.

“Time for a long, hot soaking bath and bed,” I whisper into Riley’s ear.

Her head tilts up, dark eyes pinning me from below. “Hot, wet, and naked. Just how I like to end a hard day.”

I scoop her up into my arms and she squeals, immediately slapping a hand to her mouth. Always thinking about Ivy, she is. Riley O’Malley makes an incredible mother. Would make an incredible mother.

And... I’m fucking hard at the thought of putting a baby in her.

I walk her to her door, open it, and sit her on the seat. Her arms don’t fall from my neck. I dip and capture her mouth with mine.

Fine fingers slip under my collar, and I groan, leaning into the seat to relieve the throb in my cock.

Home—well, motel—now would be good.