Just One Dare (The Kingston Family 5)

Then she leaned closer to him. Her lingering vanilla scent tortured him and his cock jerked like fucking Pavlov’s dog. After their night together, he didn’t think he’d ever not get hard at the intoxicating smell.

“I was impressed with how you handled Mark this morning,” she said quietly, so little ears wouldn’t hear.

Nick stiffened at the surprise topic. “I know he lives next door. It would have been stupid for me to start an argument with him, even though it gutted me that he was here when I wasn’t.”

Admitting the truth wasn’t easy, because Aurora didn’t like his trips and she didn’t need a reminder of them. But Nick was Leah’s father. He should have been around.

“I know,” she said. “And I also realize how much it took for you to accept what he did and thank him. I appreciate it.’

“That doesn’t mean I didn’t want to punch him,” he muttered.

She let out a surprised laugh, causing him to grin.

“What’s funny?” Leah yelled from the backseat, and of course, started to cough.

“I need to buy an SUV with the screens in the headrest,” he said to Aurora. “Nothing, Leah. Just grown-up stuff.”

“I hate grown up stuff.”

He glanced in the rearview mirror in time to see her stick the lollipop back in her mouth. His lips twitched and a quick side glance told him Aurora was holding back a chuckle, too.

No sooner had they arrived home before Leah announced she was starving. Nick took one look at Aurora and made an executive decision.

“I’m going to make you something to eat. Your mommy is going to take a nap and then have a long, hot shower. Or a long hot, shower and then a nap. Whatever she needs.” He met Aurora’s gaze and she treated him to the most appreciative smile he’d ever seen, one that caused his heart to beat faster and made him think that she just might be coming around. “How’s that sound?” he asked Leah. But his gaze remained on Aurora’s face.

“Can you make grilled cheese?” Leah asked.

“I can manage that.”

“And tomato soup,” she demanded.

“No problem.”

“With milk not water.”

He grinned and Aurora did too.

She walked up to him, placed her hands on either side of his face and pulled him in for a long kiss. No tongue, but he’d take it.

“Why are you kissing?” Leah asked, her face scrunched as she watched them.

Aurora grinned. “Because Daddy just did a very nice thing for me. Now you be good for him, okay?”

Leah nodded.

Aurora glanced at Nick, gave him a smile he couldn’t interpret, and headed to her room to take a much-needed nap, leaving him alone with his kid.

He made them lunch, they talked about her friends, their names, Leah’s favorite color, animal and other things Nick wanted to know.

After they were finished, he took a good look at his daughter. She had orange tomato stains around her mouth, her hair stuck out every which way, and she needed a bath. But he wasn’t sure how to handle that challenge.

He picked up their dishes and took them to the sink, cleaning up as she watched. “Are you up to a bath or a shower?”

“Shower! I like showers. Mommy lets me come in with her sometimes, or I take one alone and she helps me rinse my hair.”

He nodded. “Daddy can help you clean up in the shower and your mom can give you a good washing tomorrow.”

Her eyes lit up and she nodded.

An hour later, Nick set Leah in front of the TV. He’d cleaned the water-soaked bathroom floor, which meant he had to throw a load of soaking wet towels in the washing machine. But he took care of all the shit he could, so Aurora would be able to focus on Leah. Then he collapsed on the couch beside his daughter.

He had a new respect for Aurora as a single mom and was more determined than ever to do right by her. His phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and answered the call. “Asher, how are you?” he asked his oldest sibling.

“I’m calling to find out how my niece is. Harrison told me Leah was in the hospital?” Asher asked.

Asher had missed meeting Leah at their parents’ house but that didn’t make him disinterested.

“It was a bad case of croup. It was scary as hell but it’s under control now and she’s home. At her mom’s.” Nick glanced at Leah, happily sitting cross-legged beside him, watching something on her iPad, and ignoring the television Nick had put on. Kids music sounded so Nick wasn’t too worried. “Where are you?” he asked Asher.

“I got back from the island last night, and I visited with a friend this morning. I’m about half an hour from where you said Aurora lives. Mind if I drop by so I can meet Leah and Aurora?”