Southern Pleasure (Southern Heart 1)

“She is. That little girl owns me.”

Her lips turn up at the corners. “She’s not even a week old and has you wrapped around her little finger.”

I don’t respond, because she’s right. My baby girl may terrify me, because I have no idea how to take care of her, but I love her with everything in me.

“I can’t wait to see how you react when she starts to date.”

“Fuck that! She’s not dating until she’s at least thirty.”

McKinley throws her head back and laughs, her long slender neck on display. I want nothing more than to press my lips there, right against her pulse, and taste her.

And my hard-on makes another appearance. Just like that. All she has to do is laugh and I’m hard as steel.

“Breakfast is ready,” she says as she carries two plates filled with bacon and eggs to the table.

Like a magnet, I follow her and settle into the chair right beside her. I can’t have her, but I’m sure as hell going to take full advantage of being close to her when I can. I dig into my plate and we enjoy a quiet breakfast together. Kinley talks about her studio and informs me, between her and her mom, Lexi will be in good hands while I work. I feel a weight lifted from my shoulders. It’s a relief to know people I trust will be taking care of her during the day. Just one more reason why McKinley and I can’t happen.

“Evan, go, we got this,” I tell him for the third time.

“I know. It’s just the first time I’ve left her. I didn’t know it would be this hard,” he says, running his hands through his hair.

“Oh, honey, it gets easier. Why don’t you plan on eating lunch here today? I’ll have it ready at noon. This way you get to see this little one and ease you into it,” Mom suggests.

Evan seems to brighten a little at her suggestion. Bending down, he pushes the handle down on Lex’s car seat. I watch him as he releases the straps and removes her, just like an old pro. Two weeks and he has come such a long way. “Daddy loves you, sweet girl. You be good for Kinley and her momma. I’ll see you in a few hours.”

“All right, Daddy, time to go,” I say, holding my arms out for Lexi. Evan kisses her forehead and places her in my arms.

“McKinley, I can’t even tell you how much this means to me.” He turns to look at Mom. “You too, Momma Mills.” He grins, using the name he’s called her all his life. “I can’t thank you enough for watching her for me. I don’t know if I could have left her with anyone else.”

“She’s my granddaughter. Of course I’m going to watch her,” Mom says, like he should already know this.

“And we share a middle name; we’re best friends,” I say with a grin.

Evan’s brown eyes lock on mine. I hear Mom say something about laundry and her footsteps as she leaves the room. Evan takes a step forward, aligning our bodies. He places one hand on Lexi’s back and the other caresses my cheek. He doesn’t say a word, just keeps his eyes trained on mine. When he leans in closer, my heart stutters in my chest. Evan’s lips softly press against mine for mere seconds before he pulls away and kisses the back of Lexi’s head. “I’ll see you soon,” he whispers, before turning and walking away. I watch him through the glass as he climbs in his truck and drives away.

“Oh, Lex, your daddy, he has no idea what he does to me,” I confess to her.

“Evan gone?” Mom asks, startling me. How long has she been there? What did she see?

“Yeah

, he’ll be back at lunch time. This little one has her hooks in him.”

“Um hmm,” Mom says.

Shit! “What do you mean um hmm?” I ask her.

“Just agreeing with you, dear.”

Double shit! “Let’s watch some cartoons, Lex.” I leave her car seat and pick up the diaper bag. Whatever Mom thinks she’s seen, or happened to see, is not what it looks like. Evan and I, we’re not . . . we’re just not.

Lexi falls asleep not ten minutes into our cartoon date. I know I should put her down and let her sleep, but she’s just too sweet and I love to cuddle her.

“You’re going to spoil her,” Mom says, taking a seat on the couch beside me.

“I know, but . . .”

“But nothing. If we hold her all day, Evan is never going to get sleep at night. She’s going to get used to it and refuse to sleep without someone holding her.”