“It’s such a relief. I didn’t think I’d find another job with my employment history.”
“And best of all, her new boss will never expect her to put out,” Harlow quips.
Even Mandy laughs. “Thank goodness.”
With that, we leave and head to the villa. Everything Noah told me lingers in the back of my brain. I wish I could get started on hunting down this scumbag tonight, but without his information and without any other leads, I’m stuck. But the hours between now and dawn won’t be wasted. I’ll have Mandy. And even though I’ve had her so much today I should be well sated, I’m not. I don’t feel thirty-eight. I feel easily twenty years younger and I want more.
“Good conversation with Harlow?” I ask.
“Actually? Yeah. I started pulling away from her during our teen years. I felt so guilty about sleeping with her dad, but not enough to stop, which only made me feel worse. But she actually understood.”
“You told her everything?”
“The highlights. But she knows how old I was when it started.” A teasing grin dances at Mandy’s mouth. “Harlow says if she had known she would have gleefully castrated the bastard herself.”
Too bad no one did. “At least you cleared the air.”
“Absolutely. We got some good truths between us, and then we talked for a few minutes. It felt like old times, but better. She’s really happy, and I’m thrilled for her.”
“Is that what happiness looks like to you?”
“What do you mean?”
“Big house, high-powered job…”
“No. She’s happy because she’s got a great husband, a precious son, and family all around.” She shrugs. “I don’t care about the house and the job nearly as much as I care about the people in my life. I’m hoping that will be you.”
I take her hand. “After today, I don’t know how you’ll ever get rid of me.”
Peace settles between us, along with an anticipation that hums just under the surface. We’re both in a good place…mostly. We’re looking forward to the future. And we can’t wait to get Oliver down so we can hit the sheets again. But until then, I should give more thought to Mandy’s assailant.
While I’m at it, I’ll have to address the multitude of messages Douglas Lund has sent me since this morning, each more pissed off than the last. Clearly, he doesn’t like being ignored. My silence should have told him I have zero intention of letting him know where I’m secreting his daughter. His insistence makes me wonder if Lund orchestrated the angry mob and the intruder to make some fucked-up point. After all, how many others really know that both Nia and Evan are branches on Mandy’s complicated family tree?
By the time we reach the villa, Oliver is half asleep, so Mandy gives him a quick bath and a change, then sings him to sleep. I smile, listening from the hall. The deep love she’s expressing is something I want for the rest of our lives.
In my hand, my phone buzzes. Lund Senior. Again.
Last chance or I’m tearing up this check. Where is my daughter?
Mentally, I start composing a reply, but I can’t think of one that doesn’t start and end with four-letter words. I’ve always disliked entitled pricks who are convinced their money should buy my obedience. I don’t roll that way, and he can kiss my ass.
“You okay?” Mandy asks, suddenly right in front of me.
She finally seemed relaxed, even happy, this afternoon. I don’t want to burden her with this now. Her father isn’t something I can’t handle. If Mandy and I work everything out, he might be my father-in-law. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to pander to him. She will be my first responsibility and priority, so I’ll do whatever it takes to shield her from his bullying and his attempts to control her.
I shuttle my messages, darken my phone, and shove it in my pocket. Lund can fucking wait—and he can shove his check, too. That means I’ll have to delay opening the new range for an extra few months more than likely. The location might be rented by then. But somehow, I’ll work it out. Mandy is worth it. “Yeah. Oliver down?”
“He’s fighting sleep, but he’s exhausted. Playing takes it out of a kid.” She drags her fingers down my chest, straight to my belt buckle, curling her fingers around it and using it to pull me closer with a sly grin. “How about you? Are you exhausted, too, or…up for more?”
“Definitely up.” I drop a kiss onto her mouth, but the second we make contact it’s like sliding into a dizzying, euphoric high. Suddenly, everything is electric and vivid. I lose my head as I pin her to the wall. “Always up for you, baby.”
Mandy tilts her head back, allowing my lips to roam her so-soft neck. I feel the heady, heavy beat of her pulse. She winds her arms around me with a moan that torques up my desire. “Tanner…”
“Bedroom?”
Before she can answer, Oliver huffs and squeals, then breaks out crying.
Mandy sighs. “Not quite yet, but hold that thought. The last few days, he’s been fussier than usual, especially at night. I’m wondering if he’s getting his first molars.”
“Painful?”
“Apparently. Feel like pouring us some wine while I check on my little guy again?”
Not my first choice, but Oliver howls once more. Yeah, he’s not happy. “I suppose the needs of my penis can wait while you see to the needs of his gums.”
She laughs. “Poor baby. I’ll only be a few minutes.”
“Take your time. I’m not going anywhere.”
She lifts onto her tiptoes and gives me a lingering kiss. “I won’t be long. I promise.”
Reluctantly, we part. She heads back into the bedroom with a flirty glance over her shoulder. How did I get lucky enough to persuade such a gorgeous puzzle of a woman to like me in return? I don’t know, but I hope the like turns to more soon. If it does…I owe Trace. I make a mental note
