Tied Up, Tied Down (Rough Riders 4)
“Not yet.”
“When do you plan on telling her?”
“When the time is right.”
“You play your cards pretty close to the vest, McKay.”
Kade thought that was better than wearing his heart on his sleeve.
An uncomfortable moment followed.
“Fine.” India threw up her hands. “Pull that strong, silent cowboy crap. So what happens now?”
“If you’re askin’ if my intentions toward your sister are honorable, I asked her to marry me today.”
“She immediately said no, didn’t she?”
He frowned. “Yeah. How did you know?”
“Because she’s been…” India shook her head. “Because I don’t think she has a spontaneous bone in her body. She’s always been that way. So, in addition to her all-pro status of pushing people away, Skylar excels at taking an eternity to make a decision, any decision. She’s meticulous. She weighs every opinion, thought, word, action and deed from every conceivable angle before she really gets down to the nitty-gritty of making a final determination on a course of action.”
“Great.” He squinted at her and challenged, “Doesn’t sound like you like her much.”
India’s blue eyes nearly turned black with anger. “I worship her, I’d do anything in the world for her, and I’m thinking about punching you in the mouth for suggesting I don’t, McKay.”
Kade held up his hands. “Sorry.”
“Skylar and I are polar opposites, but that doesn’t change the fact she’s the greatest person in the world and she’s a wonderful mother.”
“Which is all good and well, even if she won’t agree to become my wife, I am movin’ in to help care for Eliza.”
“You are?”
He nodded.
Another pause hung in the air. Then India smiled like a loon. “That’s hysterical. She won’t marry you, so you just bulled your way into being her roommate?”
“Pretty much.”
“Surprises me she allowed it.”
“Me too. Sky might be all kinds of reserved, but I am damn determined to have my way on this, India.”
“I can see that. Since I’ve already given you the 4-1-1 on her, I should also warn you Skylar is used to being in charge of everything.”
“So am I.”
“Yeah? Then it oughta be interesting to see if she’ll even let you be a father to Eliza.”
“Let me? I am Eliza’s father. I ain’t givin’ her a choice. I’m here for good. Eliza better get used to it. Sky’d better get used to it.” Kade sent Skylar’s sister a half-menacing smile. “You’d better get used to it too.”
“Please. You don’t scare me, cowboy. I deal with drunks and druggies and bikers all damn day. But one thing my sister and I do have in common? We’re both fighters.
Hardheaded.You determined to get your way is not gonna be easy. For either of you.”
He didn’t rise to the bait. Nor would he back down. “Nothin’ worthwhile ever is.”
India considered him without malice. “No pain, no gain, huh?”
“Not the phrase I’d choose, but yeah, I suppose that fits.”
“Good luck, because, man, are you gonna need it.”
Kade grinned. “Oh, I don’t need luck. I’ve got something even better.”
“What’s that?”
“A strong set of ropes, an iron will, and all the patience in the world.”
Chapter Five
The spicy aroma of tomato and chili powder greeted Skylar at the front door. She half wondered if she’d stumbled into the wrong house, especially when a gorgeous man strolled down the hallway with a grin a mile wide. A grin aimed at her.
“And here I was hopin’ you’d yell, ‘Hey honey, I’m home’.”
“Sorry to disappoint you.”
“Maybe next time. Lemme take her.” He plucked the baby carrier from her arm like it weighed nothing.
“Thanks.” Skylar kicked off her sandals and noticed Kade was barefoot. She also noticed he’d changed out of his usual cowboy attire. Instead of Wranglers and a long-sleeved shirt, he wore faded black sweatpant shorts and a gray tank top, which showed off his muscular arms and broad chest.
“Supper’s done whenever you’re ready.” He headed for the living room.
She followed him and bit back a groan. The view from the rear was just as good as the front view. His wide shoulders tapered into a narrow waist, ending with an ass so round and tight she could’ve bounced a quarter off it. Or sunk her teeth into it to double-check if it was as firm and yummy as it looked.
Get control of yourself, Sky.
Why was she having this physical reaction to him again? Strictly hormonal on a biological level because he was the father of her child?
No. You’re reacting this way because that man—your new roommate—is smoking hot.
He set the car seat on the floor. “You wanna show me how to get her outta this contraption?”
“Sure. Push the red button, move the handle up until it locks. Then unfasten the seatbelt. Just like that. See? Easy.”
Eliza’s eyes blinked open and she stared at Kade as he lifted her out.
“Well, aren’t you a bright-eyed little thing?”
Skylar watched him, chattering away to his daughter like it was an everyday occurrence. Her emotions shifted from jealousy to relief to flat-out amusement. The man was a goner for Miss Eliza Belle. He’d taken to her faster than Sky ever imagined.
“Is she always this good?”
“No.” Sky glanced at the clock. “Give her an hour. She gets really fussy around dinnertime. And then right before bed.”
“I’ll keep her entertained if you wanna eat.”
“She does have a baby bouncer. You don’t have to hold her all the time.”
Kade’s eyes met hers. “I wanna hold her. You’re gonna have a devil of a time gettin’ her away from me.” When Skylar balked, he amended, “That didn’t come out right. What I meant was…I’m just pretty much stunned by her. Not only that I didn’t know she existed, but if it’ll ever sink in that she’s really mine. And I’m responsible for her for the rest of her life.”
“It’s a daunting concept, isn’t it?”
“Yeah. I really haven’t been around babies all that much, if you wanna know the truth, so I’m gonna need your help.”