Delinquent Daddy (Banks / Kincaid Family #2)(51)

Ellie folded her hands over her chest, suddenly upset he was once again making her out to the be the wicked witch, and he was the good guy, only wanting peace. Her jaw was still hard with resentment, and she knew she couldn't speak, so she merely gave a terse nod.

190

Delinquent Daddy

by Linda Kage

It was unfeasible to believe he thought losing her had been the worst punishment possible, so of course she kept replaying that line over and over in her head. He could've kept her if he'd wanted. She'd been such an idiot back then, she would've let him back if he'd said sorry. But he hadn't.

And she'd be the fool if she believed his fancy little words now...except...he wasn't the same person anymore. He'd changed. In everything he did, she could see how he'd changed. Which made her even more confused.

"Come on," he told her, holding out a hand. "I'm going to show you how to use a chainsaw."

Ellie met his gaze, not sure what to do, what to believe.

But it didn't take long for her to be held captive by those blue orbs. The man had a look that would turn her into his little puppet.

"Get over here," he urged, almost playfully, a smile hovering over his lips. "You're going to work for your lunch, woman."

Drawn by the challenge in his statement and the excitement in his eyes, Ellie followed him to the back of Monty's truck, where a third unused saw sat, waiting for them. Glancing toward her daughter, she grinned when she caught sight of Cassie diligently raking sticks. Montgomery and Cameron had already moved to the main trunk and were slicing away, wood chips flying past their shoulders.

"I'll get it started," Boston offered, making Ellie arch a brow.

"Oh, no you won't," she said. "If I'm going to work this thing, I'm going to learn how to do every step."

191

Delinquent Daddy

by Linda Kage

He grinned. "Well, okay then. Come here."

She strolled forward, not knowing what he intended until he was standing behind her and helping her hold the chainsaw with both hands, practically embracing her as he did so.

"Just relax," he said after explaining the procedure. "You're as stiff as a board."

"And just how, pray tell, am I supposed to get comfortable with you back there, like that?"

That caused him to chuckle. She swore he moved in closer behind her.

"So, you're saying this would be an inopportune moment to mention that's my sweatshirt you're wearing then," he murmured in her ear. "And the last time I wore it, I was inside you."

Ellie leaped away from him, almost causing him to drop the chainsaw. He fumbled for a moment, trying to keep his hold on the machine. "Jesus, Ellie," he yelped.

She could only gape at him, grabbing two handfuls of her gray top with the faded KU Jayhawk printed across the front.

It was huge, and old, and comfortable. And hers, damn it.

"This isn't your sweatshirt," she insisted.

He grinned as he set the chainsaw down. "Yes, it is." He reached for the hemline to poke his finger though a fraying hole. "I snagged this on a tree the day we had sex in the rain.

Don't you remember that afternoon?"

She swallowed. "How could I forget? That's when Cassidy was conceived."

His jaw dropped. "Was it really?"

192

Delinquent Daddy

by Linda Kage

She bobbed her head, feeling like a moron for revealing such a thing. "It's the only time we did it without total protection," she added, her face heating for letting another remembered intimacy slip.

He ran a hand through his hair and cracked off a surprised laugh. "Well, I'll be damned. That explains that then."

Her brow wrinkled. "Explains what?"

"I thought it was the rain that made that time so..." He broke off and sent her an uneasy look. "I tried it with other women after that, but it was never the same. Now, though, I think it was Cassie. We created something important that day. That's why it was so...out of this world."

Ellie knew her eyes were wide as she stared up at him. But holy cow. Goosebumps spread up the back of her neck, and a rising heat crawled up the inside of her thighs.

"I'm going to go change," she rasped and spun away.

He caught her arm. "Don't." The plea was simple and quiet, but it stopped her in her tracks.

"I always wondered what happened to this sweatshirt. But I'm glad it stayed with you...and Cassie."

Ellie's lips parted in shock. "Boston," she whispered.

"Hey, you two!" Cameron called, pausing to point in their direction. "You're not going to get any work done, just standing there, making googly eyes at each other."

Boston dropped his hand from her arm, but she still felt the warmth and pressure where his fingers had left their impression.

"Let's cut some wood," he said.

193

Delinquent Daddy

by Linda Kage

And thus started a day of labor like she'd never experienced before. Forget Tae Bo. It didn't even signify compared to the workout she received now. Sweat dripped off her temples in buckets. Her arms were so tired from lifting the chainsaw, her muscles quivered every time she gunned the motor.