Just One Dare (The Kingston Family 5)

He shot her a sheepish grin. “Just like last night, I told them I was her father.”

“I’m sorry, what?”

Nick’s sudden appearance took her off guard. “Nick! You said your flight wasn’t until later this morning.”

Nick appeared as exhausted as she felt. He wore a pair of jeans, a wrinkled t-shirt, but he still looked extremely hot, with the scruff on his handsome face and his dark hair messy from what had to be his hands running through it.

Then again, whether he had slicked hair or messy strands, the man looked sexy. While he was gone, when Aurora hadn’t been worried about Leah, she’d been thinking about her last night with Nick. Her body had been putty in his hands. She’d never felt a sense of belonging before, the way she had when they’d come together. And when she’d seen him standing in the doorway, here and not in Florida, she felt better than she had in days. She wasn’t alone.

She didn’t know how to have a relationship—or believe in them, really. But if she was going to try for anyone, it would be Nick. Would he have patience for her issues? She hadn’t even trusted her own family to show up this morning. She rarely verbalized her feelings but she could sum them up in one sentence—it was better to push people away before they disappointed her.

He looked from Mark to Aurora. “I hired a private plane and figured I’d surprise you. I certainly didn’t expect to see another man playing daddy.” He’d turned to scowl at her neighbor.

To his credit, Mark’s face flushed red. “I was just trying to be helpful. Aurora called me last night and asked me to drive them to the hospital. It was the only way they’d let me up so I could check on them. I didn’t want Aurora to be alone.”

Oh, God. This might go south fast, she thought. “Nick—”

He shook his head and glanced at her neighbor. “Mark, I appreciate you being here for my girls when I couldn’t be.” He extended his hand, taking Aurora off-guard.

And Mark, too, if his stunned expression was anything to go by. Mark accepted Nick’s hand. He looked between them, obviously gauging the tension in the room and trying to figure out what his role was.

“Aurora, I’m glad Leah’s okay. If you run into trouble, you know I’m right next door,” Mark said, taking the hint. “Nick.” He tipped his head and left, heading out into the hall.

“Well, that was awkward,” Nick muttered.

She bit her bottom lip with her teeth and released it. “I had no choice. In any of it,” she said, hating how defensive she sounded. “I brought Leah to the car and she refused to get in the backseat alone. So I called Mark to take us.”

“And assume the role of her father?”

“That was his idea. He wanted to get past the desk and check on what was going on. I had no idea he would show up again this morning.” She looked up at Nick, so grateful he was here. “That was very magnanimous of you, the way you handled Mark at the end.”

Nick shrugged. “I might not appreciate how he acts but you’re right. He was here when I wasn’t. I can’t exactly complain when he helped you out.”

But the pain he’d felt at hearing someone else calling themselves Leah’s daddy was obvious, and Aurora melted towards him. Ignoring the voice in her head that was always there, the one reminding her to protect herself, she ran to him and he caught her, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close.

* * *

Nick had managed to make some calls and rent a private jet, enabling him to leave earlier this morning. And now that Aurora was in his arms, he knew he’d done the right thing. Her body shook against his and he realized she was finally letting go of her fear and pain, all the emotions she’d had to hold in.

He stroked her silky hair with his hand, giving her what comfort he could. “How is she?” he asked.

Aurora released him and stepped back. Her eyes were red and dark circles had formed beneath them, but she was still the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.

“They’re giving her steroids and nebulizer treatments. Both have calmed things down enough for her to sleep. She’s exhausted from having that awful cough.”

“I’m sure you’re wiped out, too. Where is your family?” he asked, surprised she wasn’t surrounded by her siblings.

“I tried to reach Melly last night. I wanted to ask her to go with me to the hospital, but there was no answer. She called this morning when she got my message, and I told her not to rush over. The doctor said they’d send Leah home later today. Besides, visiting hours don’t start until noon.”