She pondered that for a moment, then, “Why did he eat too much candy?”
Kendall laughed. “Welcome to the world of four- and five-year-olds where their favorite word iswhy.”
He winked before turning his attention back to Livie. “Maybe while his mommy was asleep, the bear was a bad boy and ate all the candy that he was supposed to share with his brothers and sisters.”
“That’s silly.”
He tapped her nose. “You’re silly.”
She giggled. “I’m not silly, you are.”
“Both of you are,” Kendall said. “Come up here. Cooper and I want to talk to you about something.”
His gaze shot to hers, and when she nodded, his heart pounded. They were going to tell Livie he was her father. What if she didn’t want him to be her father?
Kendall took both Livie’s hands in hers. “Do you remember when you asked where your daddy was, and why he didn’t come to see you?”
Livie nodded. “My daddy lives far away.”
“That’s right, he did. But what if I told you your daddy is here now.”
Livie’s eyes grew big. “He is?”
“Yes, in fact, he’s sitting right next to you. Honey, Cooper’s your daddy.”
His heart was going to pound itself right out of his chest as he waited to see Livie’s reaction.
She turned those big eyes toward him. “You’re my daddy?”
“Yes, Princess, and I’ve been wanting to meet you for a long time.” If he’d known about her, that would be true. “Are you happy?”
She threw her arms out wide. “So happy!” She jumped up and wrapped her little arms around his neck. “My daddy.”
After hugging him, she smacked him on the cheek, then got off him. “Daddy, watch.” She made a circle with her hand and Ruby immediately rolled over.
Daddy.That was the sweetest word he’d ever heard. “That’s awesome.”
His eyes locked on Kendall’s. There were tears in hers…and damn it, his, too. His heart swelled with a love he never thought possible. For this little girl, and for her mother who’d raised their beautiful daughter alone for almost five years. “Thank you,” he mouthed.
Kendall swiped at the tears on her cheeks, and he reached out his hand. She put hers in his, and he gently squeezed it in gratitude that she’d found him, had accepted him as Livie’s father and that she was letting him into their lives. Where they went from here had a question mark, but he had hopes for a future with them.
Was he in love with his daughter’s mother? He thought he was, but if not, he was headed that way. Everything he’d learned about her since they’d reunited he liked. She was both kind and beautiful. Although it was restrained on both their parts because of having to deal with an evil man who was intent on harming Kendall, there was crazy chemistry between them.
The night he’d spent with her had been one of the most amazing nights he’d spent with a woman, and when she was in his bed again—because that was going to happen—he didn’t for one minute doubt they’d light the sheets on fire.
He wanted to know everything about her. Her hopes and fears, her dreams and all the little quirks that made her who she was. Yes, he wanted her in his bed, but the feelings growing inside him went far beyond the sexual side of their relationship.
She had been through so much and had done it alone. He was in awe of her. She deserved a special night, and he wanted to be the one to give it to her.
“What’s your idea of a perfect evening?” he asked.
Chapter 16
Kendall, her hand still being held by Cooper, had never thought about that question. She was a mother with a young child and with no one to share the good and the bad. Not that there was anything bad about having her daughter, but some days were exhausting, both mentally and physically. There was no one else to feed Livie dinner, give her a bath, to get her child who never wanted to go to sleep to actually go to sleep.
Her father did take Livie on occasion, but he had his own life and a girlfriend, so she rarely asked him to babysit. He did like to take Livie to a Braves game sometimes, and she enjoyed those few hours when the house was quiet. She mostly spent those times catching up on either lesson plans for her second-grade class or working on her next podcast. Even though she had pushed self-care and adult fun to the side, she had no regrets.
What was her idea of a perfect evening?