Hard Hit (IceCats 3)

It’s just tragic. I didn’t even get to taste her. I didn’t get to hold her. I didn’t get to wake up beside her. We kept it friendly, mainly because I was still dealing with shit with Lilly. She wasn’t completely out of my life, and Jaylin isn’t a side dish. She’s the whole fucking meal. Even with her lying on the floor, her wild curls all in her face as her dark caramel eyes stay locked with mine, I seriously can’t even think of a more beautiful woman.

I swallow as I curve my lips. I can’t help it. I’ve missed her. She gets up off the floor and stands beside her desk, fully embarrassed. Even as dark and silky as her skin looks, I can see the rosiness in her cheeks. Fuck, she’s gorgeous. She plasters a formal, sweet smile on her face as she wobbles out of her office. She’s missing a heel, but even so, I’m still blown away by her appearance. She’s wearing a tight yellow skirt with a sheer black top that is big and billowy at the shoulders. There is a huge water stain on her shirt, but who cares? Under the shirt is her silky skin, her breasts hidden by a thin-strapped tank. Her black hair is down, in riotous curls along her shoulders. She has on dark makeup to accentuate her beauty, and damn, I’ve missed her. Greatly. It’s hard to keep my cool. I want to fall at her feet, worship her, and beg her to give me another chance. But then Celeste grabs my face, and I’m knocked back into reality. I’m a father. I am a full-time father now, and someone like Jaylin Raventorn wouldn’t want anything to do with me.

Before she reaches me, she kicks off her single black pump and grins up at me shyly. She’s several inches shorter than me, but her personality makes her seem ten feet tall. I take in a deep breath as I gaze into her eyes, and my hate for Lilly grows. She not only abandoned our daughter; she ruined every chance I had with this beautiful queen.

“Hey,” she says finally, and man, the roughness in her voice turns me on.

“Hey,” I say, and then we’re just staring at each other. I feel the regret coming off her as well. I feel the heat moving between us. It almost seems as if we’re the only two standing here. The office isn’t full of people, and there aren’t many eyes on us. Celeste must feel it too, because she lets out a wail, reminding me once more that I am not someone Jaylin would want any longer.

“Celeste. Goodness,” I laugh as she leans her head on mine, and I pop the pacifier into her mouth.

“Celeste? That’s a gorgeous name,” Jaylin says, but it’s obvious she’s uncomfortable. We never had the conversation about marriage or kids, but she doesn’t seem like the type. She’s very much career-driven and extremely independent. “She looks just like you.”

I smile as I kiss Celeste’s little cheek. She does look like me—she has my nose and chin, but with light hair and light-blue eyes. “Yeah, she’s pretty perfect.”

“Congratulations.”

I nod. “Thanks. It’s been a wild ride, but I wouldn’t change a thing.”

Total lie. I’d rather have had Celeste with Jaylin.

“I bet. You seem pretty happy.”

I shrug. “I’m good. Things are a little crazy right now, but I’ll figure it out.”

She smiles. “Sorry about the Cup.”

The stabbing pain of disappointment comes rushing back. “Ugh, thanks. What a crap show, eh?”

She nods. “It sucked. I thought you guys had them.”

“Me too,” I agree, letting out a long breath. “How you doing?”

She runs her hands down the front of her dress. “Well, when I’m not falling out of my desk, I’m doing fine.” We share a grin. “Real good. The practice is going great. I’m constantly busy, and you know, just living my best life.”

“As always.” She beams at me as I continue to take her in. She doesn’t settle for anything but greatness. “Well, you look amazing.”

She smirks at me as her eyes darken. “Thank you. Fatherhood looks great on you.”

I force the grin as I nod. I love being a father. Celeste is my pride and joy, I love her, but as I suspected, Jaylin doesn’t see anything but that. Then again, it’s who I am. I’m not some carefree, crazy bachelor anymore. I’m a father, and I will be the best one yet. I’ll be everything my father wasn’t. “Thanks. I’m a proud papa.”

She looks unsure of herself, which isn’t Jaylin. Before I can ask how her parents are doing since her dad was battling some asthma when we were last talking, she asks, “Are you here for me?”

“I wish,” I blurt out, and to cover up my stupidity, I say quickly, “I’m here to see Willa Ray. I hired her since you don’t do family law.”