The Truth About Lennon

Before Nova has a chance to ask, Lennon flings the dough at my daughter, who bursts into a fit of giggles when it splatters against her cheek.

“What is going on here?” I step into the room, finally making myself known, and both girls whip around. Nova’s face is lit up like a Christmas tree, her smile unwavering even though she just got caught having a food fight—something she knows is against the rules.

Pointing a finger at Nova, Lennon says, “She started it.”

Completely surprised at being thrown under the bus, Nova shakes her head, but she’s laughing too hard to form words. I swipe my finger across Nova’s cheek, gathering dough, and put it into my mouth.

“Tastes good,” I say, turning my attention to Lennon. The smile dies on my face when I see her holding another spoonful of dough. I narrow my eyes. “You wouldn’t dare.”

“Do it!” Nova jumps from the chair and runs behind Lennon. “Do it!” she yells.

“Lennon,” I warn.

“Noah,” she says, mocking me with her sweeter-than-sin voice.

“Put the spoon down—” Cookie dough smacks me in the mouth, cutting off my words, and with a squeak, Lennon drops the spoon and spins around to scoop up Nova. My daughter in her arms, she takes off through the house as I give chase.

“Down the hall!” Nova yells, squealing when Lennon makes a hard right around the corner. She disappears out of sight, but I catch up, throwing my foot in front of Nova’s door before Lennon can shut it. I tackle them both, and we all land on the bed.

One hand on Lennon, the other on Nova, I tickle them until they’re gasping and begging me to stop. Then I tickle them some more.

“Stoooop,” Lennon says, laughing. She squirms, throwing herself to the side, but she can’t seem to escape my fingers of fury. “Oh God!” she gasps, trying to catch her breath. “Stop!”

“I gotta pee,” Nova wails. My fingers circle around her belly, hitting the spot along her ribcage that I know will make her squirm, and her face scrunches up in one of those silent laughs. Her mouth is wide open, but not a sound comes out until she sucks in a breath and yells, “You’re gonna make me pee!”

I stop tickling Nova. “Well, don’t pee on the bed, silly.” I give her a light shove, and she rolls off the side of the mattress, landing on her feet, and darts down the hall.

Taking full advantage of the moment alone, I stop tickling Lennon and instead trail my fingers up her side, grazing the outer curve of her breast.

Her laughter fades into a faint moan, and the air around us crackles. I smirk when I see the lower part of her cheek.

“What?”

“You’ve got something…” I brush my finger along her skin, and her eyes follow my hand when I lift my finger to my mouth.

“Did you get it?” she asks, her voice low and husky.

I shake my head, lowering my lips to hers. I kiss her softly and drag my mouth along her jaw line. She trembles under my touch, and the caveman in me wants nothing more than strip her naked and bury myself inside of her. But the father in me knows that’s not possible.

“There,” I whisper, kissing her ear. “Got it.”

“Hmm… Pity.”

We hear the toilet flush, and Lennon slides out from under me. “Time’s up.”

“Not quite.” Pushing up off the bed, I wrap her in my arms. “She still has to wash her hands. We have at least—” I don’t get to finish talking because Lennon drives her fingers into my hair and presses her lips against mine. It’s clear she doesn’t want to waste a second, and neither do I. Unfortunately for the both of us, that second is up way too soon.

The water in the bathroom shuts off, and Lennon moves away. “You should probably go check on the food.”

Fuck the food. I’d rather eat you.

I am screwed.

So screwed.

I fell in love with Nova, and now here I am, standing outside of her room trying desperately not

to fall in love with her father. It’s nearly impossible, what with the way he treats her. How could a woman not fall for someone like him? Sexy, smart, and he’s an amazing father. He’s the whole package wrapped up in delicious ink. Ink that I’d very much like to spend more time exploring.