Page 23 of Brazilian Fantasy
“Is strict about TV, too,” she says. “I get it. But Maddie is in my hands these next few weeks, and I’d like to try things my way, if you don’t mind.” I turn to her, and my eyes meet such genuine concern and kindness in hers that my pulse stalls.
“I trust you,” I say, and a soft smile tugs at her mouth.
“After Frozen, and Maddie goes to bed, you’re watching Sharknado with me.” Her lips pinch tight like she won’t stand for any arguments.
“If I have to,” I say. Unable to stop grinning, I drive home, then Piper and Maddie take the pup for a walk so she can do her business. As I unload the vehicle, the women in the neighborhood, all with their own little dogs, race over to see Maddie’s new pet.
I see the way Piper protects Maddie from the swarm, the way she drops to eye level to talk to her. She really is good with kids. I can’t believe she doesn’t want any of her own. Then again, at times when I look at her, I see vulnerability, a little girl lost. What’s really behind her not wanting a family?
I carry the bags inside and set the pup’s bowls out on the kitchen floor, filling one with water. A tortured noise sounds in my th
roat. I can hear Nanny Eugenie’s wrath now when she comes back to a puppy. In only a few short days, Piper has really shaken up the place—shaken up me.
“Something funny?” Piper asks as she comes into the kitchen.
“Nope.”
She waves me away. “Go do whatever it is you do in your office. We have baking to do.” She picks up Maddie, who is still clutching the pup, and lifts her onto the counter. “How about chocolate?” she asks. Maddie nods and strokes the pup’s head. “I think little miss pup needs a nap. Why don’t we put her in her new bed, and we can cuddle her again when we watch the movie?”
Maddie agrees and lets Piper take the pup. She helps Maddie from the counter and says, “I need you to grab two big bowls. Can you do that for me?”
Maddie nods and goes in search of the bowls.
I stand still, watching them, and my heart is pounding so hard I’m worried it’s going to break a fucking rib.
Piper puts the dog to bed, bending at the waist and purposely aiming her sweet ass my way. My cock thickens, and a growl catches in my throat. Oh, she is so going to pay for that.
She turns to me, looking all fucking innocent when she’s anything but. “Are you still here?” She waves her hand. “Go. We’ll call you when they’re done.”
Laughing, and knowing I’m going to tie her up for that stunt later, I walk away, leaving my girls to their baking.
My girls.
Fuck, I’m in trouble.
How could I be falling for Piper? She landed on my doorstep less than a week ago, and I barely know her, but I can’t deny something is happening, something I have zero control over.
Chapter Eight
Piper
With the lights in the room low, I sneak a peek at Maddie, who is doing everything to keep her eyes open on the sofa beside me. After baking, swimming, and playing with the pup, we sat down to a nice meal prepared by Lucas and then settled in for a show. I nudge Lucas, who is also dozing as we watch Frozen.
“Yeah,” he says, his eyes heavy-lidded.
“Looks like Little Miss Maddie needs a lift to her bed.”
“I’ll take her.”
He stirs beside me, looking lazy and rumpled and so damn sexy my body zings to life. What would it be like to hang out with the two of them like this on a regular basis—like a real family—and then, after putting Maddie to bed, having Lucas all to myself. That thought fills me with warmth.
I remove the pup from Maddie’s arms so Lucas can carry her to bed. “No, want puppy,” Maddie cries out in her sleep, and both Lucas and I go ramrod straight. I mute the TV, the room going so still I can hear his throat work as he swallows. My gaze shoots to his, and we stare at each other, waiting for Maddie to say more—anything.
“Ohmigod,” I mouth to Lucas, who doesn’t appear to be breathing.
Seconds turn to minutes, and when we hear her soft breathing sounds, Lucas scoops Maddie up. She stirs and moans and reaches for her pet.
“Let me take the pup outside so she can do her business, then I’ll bring her bed into your room,” I say quietly.
