Taken Hard (The Hard Boys 2)

She heard the yearning in his voice. “If it makes you feel any better, I think you’d make a wonderful father.”

“You haven’t seen me with kids.”

“I can see you with Darla. Do you want to keep her?”

“Most days,” he said.

She laughed. “She is a gorgeous baby.”

Lilly sipped at her coffee and watched Caleb.

“What about you?” he asked.

“What do you mean?”

“Do you want kids? A family?”

Lilly stared down at her cup.

“This is still a date, Lilly. I’d like to know everything there is to know about you. Don’t leave anything out.”

She ran fingers through her hair. She’d kept it down for the night. She’d also worn a pair of jeans and her favorite shirt. This one didn’t have a single stain. So far, Darla hadn’t thrown up on it, but it had come close. “Yeah. I do. I want kids. A family. I used to dream of having lots of brothers and sisters. My mom decided that I’d ruined her figure enough and it wasn’t worth it seeing as my dad didn’t stick around.”

“Do you know who your dad is?”

“Nope. Don’t even have any pictures. She never told me his name. Just said that he was a loser who knows how to get what he wants and break women’s hearts in the process.”

“Have you ever thought about looking for him?” Caleb asked.

“No. I don’t need to. If he was anything great, he would’ve stuck around, wouldn’t he?”

“I’m so sorry, Lilly.”

“Don’t be.”

“I had this amazing father. I can’t imagine growing up without him.”

She smiled. “He does seem like a laid-back kind of dad.”

Caleb laughed. “No, he wasn’t laid-back. He had his moments, believe me. I think we all turned out pretty great. Family has always been so important to him.”

“I really loved the party you guys threw for me.”

“We all knew you hadn’t experienced a true birthday party, and that’s not right.”

Lilly shrugged and glanced down at the baby girl. “She’s asleep.”

“I think it best we sneak off and have some dinner. James told me she lulls them both into a false sense of security. She could wake up in the next second from a power nap. I think it’s how she broke them down.”

Getting to her feet, she brushed past Caleb. Their hands touched, and she felt this heat of electricity rushing down her arm, tingling her fingers.

She didn’t stop, but she wanted to.

They both wanted to have kids and a large family. It didn’t mean anything though.

****

The following morning, Caleb opened his eyes and became aware of the female curled up against his side. He glanced down, and sure enough, Lilly’s head rested on his chest. His hand was on her back as the other lay above his head.

She was so beautiful. Her head was slightly tilted.

Last night had gone from being glorious to swapping and changing for Darla to sleep.

Glancing over toward the crib, he saw Darla was out like a light.

Sunlight glowed behind the curtains.

He lifted his wrist and saw it was a little after six. Only three hours of sleep.

He was going to feel that today. More coffee would be needed.

Lilly moved. Her body rubbed against his, and damn, he liked the feel of her large tits and curves against him.

His morning wood got even stiffer for something else.

Caleb felt the moment she woke. The way her body went from being relaxed and heavy, to slightly tense.

She lifted her gaze to his. “Morning,” she said.

They’d collapsed together a few hours ago, and now he didn’t want to wake up.

“I’m so sorry,” she said, lifting up.

“What for?”

“For sleeping on you.”

He rubbed his chest. “You can sleep on me even more.”

She covered her face. “You must think this is the worst date in the world.”

“Actually, I think it’s right up there as the best date ever.” He patted his chest.

“What time is it?”

He told her and she groaned. “I’ve got to be at the library in an hour.”

“Well, how about we take a rain check? Do you want to come over to my place tonight?”

“I’ve got the bar until eleven.”

“I don’t mind.”

“Really?”

“I just said that. I want to spend time with you, Lilly. Morning, noon, night, early morning. We’ve both got busy lives. Let me.”

She smiled. “Okay.”

“How would you like to have a sleepover with me? Nothing naughty or X-rated. That way I don’t have to worry about bringing you back.”

“Fine. Fine. Aunt Betty’s not back for another couple of days.” She climbed off the sofa, being careful not to hit him in the crotch, which he appreciated. “I better go and get ready. I’ll make you a coffee.”

“I’d love that.”

Caleb captured her hand, stopping her from leaving.

“What’s the matter?” she asked.

He pulled her close, cupped her cheek, and pressed his lips against hers. “I just wanted to kiss you.”

She smiled, and he loved the blush against her skin.

“Morning,” he said.