“Now, that’s steamy,” Dax says. “And to think we haven’t started showering yet.”
“We probably should. My dad and Shanna might arrive soon.”
I reach for the knob behind him and turn it. Water streams out of the showerhead and Dax’s shoulders jerk. He moves towards the back. I move forward.
“Sorry,” I say as I put my hand under the water. “It’s a little cold when it starts, but it will get warmer. It just needs a bit of time.”
Dax wraps his arms around me from behind. “You mean like someone I know?”
I glance over my shoulder. “When was I cold?”
“New Year’s Eve, when we first had our reunion,” he answers. “You were trying to run away from me, remember?”
“Well, I never thought I’d see you again,” I tell him.
“But you hoped?”
“A little,” I admit.
“Then I’m glad I didn’t let your little hopes down.” Dax kisses my shoulder.
I give his ribs a playful nudge. “Hey. We’re going to shower now, remember?”
The drops of water turn slightly warmer against my hand and I step under the shower. Then I pull Dax towards me. Beads of water trickle down his face.
“You said you didn’t have work today, right?” I ask him.
He wipes his face with his palm. “Yeah.”
“So you can stay for the rest of the day?”
Dax grins. “Yeah. Why? Do you have something planned?”
“Just my chores,” I answer. “But I’ll try not to bore you.”
“You don’t have to worry about that. I’ll even help you if you want.”
“A CEO doing chores?” I snort.
“Why not? I used to wash my own clothes, remember?”
“It’s okay,” I tell him. “I’ll do that. But you can take care of Shanna when my dad gets back.”
He nods. “Yeah. Why not? I have a feeling she likes me.”
~
Shanna does seem to like Dax, I think as I watch him rock her to sleep in his arms.
She’s barely cried all afternoon. In fact, earlier she was laughing so much that even my dad started smiling. And now she’s only been in Dax’s arms for what, three minutes? and I can tell she’s already falling asleep.
I wonder if it’s just because Dax is so damned mesmerizing or because she can sense that Dax cares about her.
I can see that he does. He doesn’t just find Shanna cute. It’s not just fascination. He… acknowledges her. He understands her. There’s this understanding between them. This bond.
I almost feel envious.
I walk towards them. “You…”
I stop because Dax turns to me with a finger to his lips.
Right. I should be quiet or Shanna might wake up. But when did I become the intruder and he the protector?
Shanna doesn’t wake up, though. She just snores softly in Dax’s arms. After another minute, he sets her down in the crib. She stirs and puts her hands up. Her eyelids flutter but remain closed.
“You sure you don’t want to give up running a company for babysitting?” I ask Dax after he steps away from the crib.
He grins and takes my hand. “Just so I could be here with you the whole day? Why not?”
I snort. “I don’t think I can afford you, though.”
“Yeah. Probably not.”
“Plus…” I put my hand on his chest. “I kind of like how you look in a suit.”
He raises an eyebrow. “You do?”
I purse my lips and nod.
He brushes away tendrils from my forehead. “I can think of a better idea. Why don’t you move in with me?”
My heart stops. I knew this question was coming. Even so, I can’t believe what I’m hearing.
“Why don’t you bring Shanna and your dad? You can even bring Emily. I’m sure I can find something to keep her busy.”
Seriously?
“I can set your dad up in the entertainment room and he can watch movies all day.”
Yeah. I bet he’d love that.
“And I can get someone to take care of Shanna so you can go back to school, finish that last semester. I’m sure you’ve been wanting to, and you owe yourself as much.”
Wow. He’s already got everything figured out.
“So?” Dax asks as he touches my cheek. “How does all that sound?”
A dream come true. But…
I touch my arm and look away. “Listen, Dax, this all sounds wonderful, but it also sounds a bit much.”
“Are you saying that because you think we’re going too fast?” he asks. “Or because you’re worried about what other people might say?”
I sigh. “Both.”
Dax places his hand on my shoulder. “Well, I can’t tell you not to worry about what other people think. I do, too. But you shouldn’t let them dictate how you live your life, and you especially shouldn’t let them keep you from doing something that will make you happy.”
“I know.” I sit down on the couch. “I just… need some time.”
This is a major decision, after all, and it affects not just my life but Shanna’s and my father’s. I have to make sure it’s the right one.