Promising myself I would take her on a shopping spree soon, I let Nova loose in the one little boutique. She knew women’s clothes better than I did, so I was going to trust her judgment on anything she chose for my little treasure.
Two hours later, with several bags of clothes, shoes, and other essentials, we picked up dinner at Aggie’s and then went back to my place.
As soon as I opened the door to my apartment, I felt Delaney’s presence, and the pressure in my chest eased somewhat. When I spotted her curled up on the couch with a blanket tucked around her as she read one of the books Nova had left the last time she’d visited me, the pressure all but disappeared.
Dropping the bags of clothes on the floor, I scooped Delaney up and pressed my forehead to hers. She practically purred as she cuddled against me. We stayed just like that for several long moments before Nova cleared her throat, reminding me she was there.
I lifted my head, noting that she was holding the two takeout bags while she skimmed her eyes over the girl in my arms. Her lips tilted up in a smile as she used her foot to close the front door and walked over to us. Delaney’s head snapped around, her eyes taking in my little cousin curiously as her cheeks glowed a soft pink with shyness.
Setting the bags on the coffee table, Nova introduced herself. “Hi, Delaney,” she signed. Nova was a genius when it came to learning new languages. She was fluent in Italian, Russian, and Spanish. American Sign Language, Mom had been teaching her from birth, just as she had Lexa and me. “I’m Nova.”
My girl squirmed until I set her on her feet, and she held out her hand. Nova smiled as she shook it.
“You’re as beautiful as Max said you would be.” Delaney blushed and melted against me once more. “Honestly, I thought he was exaggerating, but for once, he spoke the complete truth.”
I glared at Nova. “Shut up, kid. Before she thinks I’m a liar.”
Nova giggled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. I was just glad to see that she wasn’t upset over the whole Garret thing for the moment. “I’m kidding. There’s no one I trust more than Max to tell it to me straight.”
Delaney glanced up at me, and the look in her pretty brown eyes had me catching my breath. “I already knew that,” she told Nova.
I dropped a kiss on the tip of her nose, then nudged her toward the kitchen. “Let’s eat before the food gets cold.”
Nova scooped up the bags again and followed us into the next room. While I got drinks, she pulled out the containers of food. I hadn’t known what Delaney would like, so I’d gone simple with cheeseburgers and fries for all three of us. When she opened her box, her eyes got huge and she did a little happy dance, and I was glad I’d picked correctly.
Her moan at the first big bite she took went straight to my dick, and I was glad the island was between my cousin and me because I didn’t want her to see the bulge that was now straining the confines of my jeans. Between bites, Delaney and Nova got to know each other, and I just stood back and watched the two of them.
My cousin seemed to adore Delaney, and I was hoping Lexa and Mom felt the same instant connection. Not that it would stop what was going to happen between this little treasure and me if they didn’t, but it would make things easier on my girl. Around eight, Aunt Flick honked the horn of her SUV from the garage’s parking lot.
Nova gave Delaney a hug then motioned for me to follow her out as she gathered her stuff.
I walked out the door with her, and she turned to face me with a frown. “You know she’s the girl Maverick has been looking for, right?”
I clenched my jaw and nodded. I’d known that from the moment I’d brought her home, and that was why I hadn’t wanted to take Delaney shopping yet. Ben had gotten calls about someone breaking in to local businesses, and then Maverick had told us that River suspected it was a girl who had also gotten into the Ink Shoppe a few times. But nothing had been stolen—not even food, from what my brother-in-law had said—so Delaney hadn’t really broken any laws. And even if she had, I wasn’t about to let her be arrested. Ben and Maverick didn’t need to know the girl had been found.
Nova’s face softened. “Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone. She’s so sweet, Max. I love her already.” She punched me in the arm before pointing her finger up at me. “You better take good care of her, or I swear I’ll kick your ass.”
I laughed and bent to kiss the top of her head. “Easy, little lioness. No need to get violent. I promise I’ll take care of my treasure.”
“That is so adorable,” she gushed. Throwing her arms around my middle, she gave me a quick squeeze before turning to descend the stairs. “Text me if you need anything. Love you.”
“Love you too, Nova,” I called after her, then waited until she texted me she was in the SUV before going back inside.
Delaney was right where I left her, cuddled up on the couch once again, with a blanket tucked around her legs. I hadn’t shown her what was in the shopping bags yet, mostly because I wanted her to try everything on for me, and I didn’t want Nova to witness how my body was going to respond to the show.
Once the door was securely locked behind me, I grabbed the bags and carried them into the bedroom before coming back and scooping her into my arms. She giggled
