Mercy said a silent prayer that Maddie's room wasn't as unwelcoming and sighed in relief when she entered and found a toy box full of dolls and a bed made but covered in stuffed animals. There was nothing on the walls except for a purple flower and a smiley face drawn in marker.
"I see she's beat you to the decorating."
"I'm at a loss when it comes to making the place homey. I'm rarely anywhere more than a few weeks."
That was a grim reminder that Alex wouldn't make Aspen Cove his permanent residence. And what would he do with Maddie? Would she get boarded out during the school year, or would he hire some cute little French au pair to take care of all his needs?
"You okay?"
She pushed her thoughts aside. "Yes. Fine."
Alex slung his arm over her shoulder. "One thing I know for sure is that fine is never actually fine. You want to talk about it?"
"There's nothing to talk about." She walked deeper into Maddie's room. "Where are your pj's kiddo? It's time for bed."
Maddie attempted to snap her fingers. "Dang it. Can't I stay up with you?"
"Not a chance, Mads, you need to get some sleep if you want to have breakfast at Maisey's before I go into the studio."
That got her moving. Maddie took her Disney Princess pajamas from her dresser and changed. With a tug, she dragged Mercy into the bathroom.
"Look at my toofbrush. It plays music."
Alex put a dab of toothpaste on it and pressed a button, making the music start.
"She brushes until the music shuts off."
"That's awesome." Mercy loved that he dove headfirst into parenting. "Where did you get that?"
"Amazon, where I get everything else I never knew I needed, like more hair ties." He opened the bathroom drawer to show at least twenty different types. "This looks full now, but by next week there won't be one anywhere. It's like they evaporate overnight. Who knew girls were so expensive?"
"They don't have to be."
"Oh, please. Boys need tennis shoes, shorts, jeans, and T-shirts. Girls need everything. There are dresses and skirts and sandals and tennis shoes and hair ties and barrettes."
Mercy's shoulders shook with her laughter. "Okay, I get it. Girls need more."
Maddie's toothbrush stopped singing, and she opened to show Alex her teeth. "Into bed, Fred." He patted her bottom, and she laughed.
"I'm not Fred; I'm Maddie."
"Yep, and it's past your bedtime."
Maddie ran to her bed and jumped on top, and after a few bounces, she climbed under the blankets. "I'm ready."
Mercy cocked her head to the side. "Do you read her a story every night?"
"No, we have our own thing. I'll be right back."
Mercy sat on the edge of the bed and tucked the blankets in around Maddie. This was the dream.
"Did you have fun with the Williams' kids?"
"Yes, I want to go back and play. Do you think I can go tomorrow?"
"You're staying with me tomorrow because your dad is trying to finish a project so he can spend more time with you, but maybe we can get Louise to bring the kids to the park. Would that be fun?"
"Yes."
Alex returned with his guitar and stood by the bed. "You play her music?"
"Every night." He moved to the end and sat on the corner. "I wrote this song for Maddie."
He strummed a chord and started to sing. And boy could the man sing.
Your chestnut hair, and your soulful eyes.
They sing to my heart.
A tiny nose, and a toothless grin.
They sing to my heart.
Your trust and your love.
They sing to my heart.
Little girl of mine
You have my heart
The song continued for several verses, and when Alex finished, Maddie was asleep, and Mercy was in tears.
They moved slowly out of her room and closed the door behind them.
"You okay?"
"I'm perfect."
"That's a hell of a lot better than fine." He walked her into the living room, where he leaned his guitar against the wall.
"I didn't know you played the guitar or that you sang."
"There's a lot about me you don't know." He sat and pulled her into his lap.
"Tell me more. I want to know Alex the man, not only Alex the sexy drummer from Indigo."
"Sexy, huh?"
"You know you are. You have your own fan club."
He situated them so her legs rested on the couch, and her back leaned against the armrest.
"None of that matters to me. All I care about right now is how you feel about me."
"If I'm on the fence, will you write me a song?"
His hand settled on her thigh, and a sizzle burned through the cotton fabric of her dress to her core.
"You want me to write you a song?"
"Seriously? Yes, I want a song. Will you tuck me into bed each night and sing it to me?"
"The logistics are tricky, but I'm sure we can figure something out." He cupped her cheek and pulled her in for a kiss. When he leaned back, she saw eyes darkened with passion. "Stay the night with me."
"I can't. It's too soon."
He nodded. "I understand." Disappointment oozed from his words.
"Do you?"
He nodded. "Yes, you're different from the rest. You're not a one-night stand. You want more."
"I'm not sure what I want, but this is enough for now."
It would be easy for her to say yes to a night of passion, but what would be left in the morning? Her body screamed full speed ahead, even her brain was on board, but her heart put on the breaks.
They kissed for the better part of the next hour. Alex risked a squeeze of her breast, and that's when she knew she needed to go because if she didn't leave now, she'd be naked and in his bed within minutes.
"I need to go." He let out a slow, sexy groan that nearly changed her mind. Did he make the same sound when he made love? She closed her eyes and pictured him nude, braced above her body, arms flexed, muscles taut. "Holy hell. I … I've gotta go." She
