As my gaze traveled back up her body, I realized she was looking at me over her shoulder with those warm brown eyes I’d spent my nights fantasizing about. My mind screamed at me to move, but I couldn’t. I was trapped here, too lost in the moment to feel an ounce of shame.
Our gazes remained locked as she turned to face me and dropped the towel to the floor. God help me, I couldn’t help myself. My eyes dipped to the blush of her cheeks, to her neck, to her exposed collarbones and the freckles dusted against the skin at the hollow of her throat. Then lower to her perfect breasts that would fit in the palm of my hand, and her rosy nipples ripe for plucking. Bluish-purple stretch marks lined her stomach, a reminder that her body had once carried life.
I wanted to drop to my knees, to kiss each one and remind her of how strong she was. I wanted to give her the chance to let go of control for once. To create a space where I could carry all her fears and worries, even if only for a night.
Behind me came soft footsteps on the hardwood floor, followed by Harper’s voice. “Dad, Miss Olivia, we’re hungry!”
The moment was broken, and I quickly stepped out of the room, giving Olivia her privacy. My daughter greeted me on the other side, staring up at me in question. “Why is your face so red Dad? Are you coming? We’re starving”
Clearing my throat, I forced a smile and prayed to whatever fucking god may exist that she didn’t notice the current problem I was having. “Yeah, sugar. I’m coming. Did you pick out a movie?”
Harper nodded. “Yup. And we got the blankets and pillows out to make a nest.”
“A nest?” I asked. “You mean a fort?”
“No, Dad. A nest! Come see.” Harper grabbed my hand and dragged me into the living room. Charlie popped up from the other side of the couch, arms splayed above her head in proud display. “See?”
I was, indeed, looking at a sort of nest. The entire couch was layered with blankets in different colors and pillows in different shapes. I was pretty sure they raided the whole damn house, save for Olivia’s room, for materials to make this.
I had to admit, it looked comfortable.
“We wanted to make a fort, but the TV was too high, so we settled on this instead. I thought my mom would like it best. She always curls up with a soft blanket, even if it’s warm outside,” Charlie said. She peered behind me. “Where is she? I’m so hungry.” She dragged the word out dramatically and I couldn’t help but smile.
“Right here, sunshine.” I turned to see Olivia striding into the room, fully clothed, much to my disappointment. She was wearing a pale green matching pajama set, and her hair was clipped up, leaving her neck on display.
I wasn’t sure why that particular part of her drew my attention so much, but there was something so soft and delicate and feminine that captivated me.
Harper walked into the kitchen, holding something up. “We already got our plates?—”
“Paper, for less clean-up,” Charlie interrupted.
“—and there are two more right there,” Harper said, nodding to the edge of the counter.
Olivia stopped beside me. I could feel the heat coming off her skin, fresh from the bath. It made my hand itch to touch her. “This looks amazing, guys. Sorry to keep you waiting.”
Charlie shrugged. “Mr. Bennett kept us waiting, too. He went to get you, and then Harper had to go get him.”
I glanced at Olivia, who was suppressing a smile. “Is that right?”
Harper nodded. “Yeah, I’m not sure he was feeling good after he left your room cause his face was like, really red and sweaty.”
Fuck me. Kids were too observant for their own good.
Olivia hid a snort behind her hand. “We’d better feed him then.” She met my gaze. “I’m sure he’s starving.”
We stayed like that, locked in a silent battle of wills while our daughters grabbed their food and ran to the couch. Olivia was the first to break, walking around me to get a plate of her own, and I stopped her, wrapping my hand around her wrist to pull her back.
“Go sit down,” I said, nodding toward the couch. “I’ll bring you a plate.”
“You don’t know how much I want.”
“Well, you can eat what I bring you. If you need more, I’ll get you more. But right now, you need to go sit your ass down. I’m not done taking care of you yet.”
Her lips parted, but she didn’t argue. Instead, she did exactly as she was told and found a spot on the other side of her daughter while I made quick work of the plates, piling a decent amount of spaghetti on both. If she didn’t eat it all, that was fine with me. At least I’d know she’d eaten something today.
Coming back to the couch, I went to sit on the other side of Harper, but she quickly put one of Charlie’s stuffed animals there. “Sugar, can you move this so I can sit down?”
“Sorry, Dad. That’s,” she looked over at Charlie and whispered, “what’s her name again?”