Page 64 of Timelessly Ours
And one of those things just walked into my bedroom.
“Daddy.” She leaps into my arms and I lift her. “Are you going on an airplane again?”
“Yes, I am. But I’ll be back after two sleeps.” I hold up two fingers for her which she tugs as if sealing my promise.
She nods as if that’s what she expected, only she’s not as miserable for my short absence as she usually is. And I wonder if the reason is the other beauty that just walked into my bedroom.
“Rory.” I set my little girl down. “Why don’t you get changed out of your pajamas. There’s no school today. You can wear whatever you want.”
“Yay.” She races out the double doors and down the hall to her room.
“Morning,” I say, giving her a lingering sweep before tossing one of my shirts into the duffle bag.
“Morning.” She stays put by the doors, leaning against the frame as though waiting for me to welcome her in.
Which I’d happily do if my mind wasn’t still swirling over last night and if I might have…overstepped…or misread the situation.
Not ready to tackle the topic yet, I switch gears to professional. “I want to make sure you get at least one day off this weekend, so I’ve asked Angel to take Rory off your hands tomorrow.”
She doesn’t say anything so I glance over, tentatively. “I can ask her to stay the entire weekend if you need.” Nicole is one of the sharpest tools in the shed. So I know she’s reading between the lines when I’m offering her company for the weekend.
She cocks her head at me and gives me a knowing grin. “I have your travel schedule. I’m well prepared to take care of Rory for the weekend…” She glances away as if considering what I said. “But… I wouldn’t mind if either Cora or Angel stay with me one night if you don’t either.”
I release a breath. “I would prefer it.” I close some of the distance between us, stopping about a foot away and putting my hands in my pockets. “But not because I don’t trust you.” Neither of us had drawn attention to the fact that she would be alone the days I’m traveling—something Nick wouldn’t allow knowing what happened. “But because I like the idea of you being surrounded by friends.”
She nods understandingly then smiles and shrugs. “In that case, maybe I’ll have them both over.”
She’s too fucking adorable in her flannel pajamas, her dark silky hair tied in a messy bun over her head. She’s not wearing makeup, but her soft beautiful skin has an unmatched morning glow that I can’t seem to look away from.
“Rory’s first slumber party.” I step back to my packing, needing the distraction before I do something stupid, like reach out and touch her for no apparent reason.
No other reason than the fact that one taste of her was not going to be enough. Nicole steps into the room and places something on top of the items in my bag. Something I hadn’t noticed her holding. The box of the chocolates we shared last night. Or what remains of it.
“In case you…” she shrugs as though settling for a less-than-ideal choice of words, “miss me.”
I frown and pick up the box. She pulls at her bottom lip with her teeth, no doubt picking up on my reluctance.
“Is the idea that I have one of these when I think of you?” I ask, holding up the box.
She shrugs again and it’s cute as fuck.
“I’m going to need a bigger box.”
Her radiant smile lights up my world. “I’ll go get changed and start breakfast.”
I catch her hand. “Are you sure? You…look very comfortable.”
She glances back again. “Well, if it’s ‘wear what you slept in’ day at the Collins residence, then I’d better let Rory know.” She scans me. “It’s a good thing you’ve got a plane to catch because I have a feeling you don’t wear anything to bed.”
I watch her leave and for the first time since Rory was a baby, I wonder how on earth I’m supposed to leave for two whole nights.
One night into my stay at the Regency Hotel in Seattle, my morals have gotten me nowhere. I should be coming up with ground rules for my arrangement with Nicole.
Rules that mostly apply to me.
Like keep your fucking hands and mouth off the nanny.
Off Nicole Kane.