Page 20 of Maliea's Hero

“Oh, yeah?” Maliea brightened. She couldn’t picture this man with the brooding face being the father of a child. But then, she didn’t know him well enough to pass judgment. Despite his clipped responses, Maliea was dauntless in her desire to know this man better. If he was to provide their protection, she should know a little more about him. “How old is your daughter?”

“Three.” His gaze returned to Nani who’d abandoned the swing to climb the ladder to the top of the play fort.

The pain in that one-word response hit Maliea square in the chest.

“Does she live with you?” Maliea asked, already knowing the answer.

“No.”

She touched his arm. “I’m sorry.”

He pushed back from the table. “Are you ready to go?”

If she wasn’t, it was too damned bad. He was.

“I am.” Maliea pushed away from the table, stood and called out, “Nani, it’s time to leave.”

Nani waved from the top of the fort, slipped down the slide and ran toward Maliea and Reid. As she always did, she slid her hand into Maliea’s.

To Maliea’s surprise, Nani placed her other hand in Reid’s.

His eyes flared, and he shot a glance down at Nani.

Nani smiled up at him. “Thank you for bringing me here to play.”

He looked at the tiny hand in his, cleared his throat and said, “You’re welcome.”

Maliea held her breath, fully expecting Reid to extract Nani’s hand from his.

It would confuse Nani, but she’d get over it as long as Maliea didn’t abandon her.

To Maliea’s surprise, Reid didn’t shake Nani off.

The three of them walked back through Burger Bar hand-in-hand.

They looked like a happy little family.

Well, minus Reid. His face appeared carved in granite, except for the little tic in his jaw. Since she’d brought up the topic of his little girl, he’d retreated into a stony silence.

At the Porsche, he held the door open for Maliea.

She sank into the soft leather seat and waited for Nani to climb into her lap.

Nani turned to Reid and held up her arms.

Reid frowned, hesitated and then swung her up into his arms.

Maliea’s daughter wrapped her arms around his neck and planted a loud kiss on his cheek. She leaned back and said in her most grown-up voice, “There. You can put me down now.”

Reid lowered her into Maliea’s lap, his hand brushing lightly against Maliea’s breast as he released his hold on her daughter.

That accidental connection shot sparks throughout Maliea’s body, making her suck in a sharp breath.

Reid backed away quickly as if he’d been scalded, hurried around the hood of the sports car and climbed in. Was he embarrassed, or had he felt the same bolt of electricity?

Girl, get a grip, she mentally admonished herself. He’s only here to protect you and Nani, not to seduce you into his bed.

That thought, once mentally voiced, was impossible to erase.