Delinquent Daddy (Banks / Kincaid Family #2)(55)

Glancing menacingly toward his cousin, he bit out, "No, I haven't yet."

Cameron blinked at the killer look he was receiving and glanced quizzically toward Ellie before returning his clueless gaze to Boston. "What?"

Boston closed his eyes and whispered an obscenity.

"Ah..." Looking distinctly uncomfortable, Cameron backed from them and pointed toward the exit. "Monty and I are almost done. We're just going to...yeah." He turned and hightailed it out of there.

Silence followed. Ellie heard Boston shuffle uncomfortably.

"Ellie..." he started.

Whirling toward him, she held up a hand to stop him.

"Next time you want something from me, just ask. Okay?

Don't go groping me in the bathroom, thinking it'll butter me up—"

"Whoa," he cut in, grabbing her hand and tugging her toward him. "Just stop. What happened in there had nothing to do with—"

"Oh, don't even bother, Boston. You don't really—"

"Jesus, I knew you'd jump to the wrong conclusion. That in there was not some deliberate scam to soften you up. And goddamn you for suggesting it was. I'm not that twenty-two-205

Delinquent Daddy

by Linda Kage

year-old jerk I was ten years ago. How many times do I have to tell you?"

He whirled away from her, hissing indecipherable words to himself before he paused and lifted his face. "I understand you're going to have problems trusting me now. But I didn't even use that kind of underhanded trickery back then. So, I don't think I deserve this now."

Ellie opened her mouth to comment, but he still had plenty to get off his chest. "I know I was awful to you. I know, okay.

But every single physical moment we shared was real. Jesus, that's why it was so hard to—"

When he stopped talking, she couldn't help but ask, "So hard to what?"

He shook his head, unable to look at her. "Nothing."

Turning away, he started to stride down the hall. But he'd gotten no more than five feet from her before he paused and let out a long, miserable sigh. Slumping with his back to the wall, he shoved his hands into his pockets and stared down at his feet.

"I've forgiven you for keeping Cassie from me," he murmured. "I know you had your reasons, but you did do wrong by me. And I've gotten over it. Completely." He lifted his face and glanced her way. "It's vital that we at least try to get along. We have a child together, Ellie. We need to form some kind of unity. But before we can accomplish that, you have to at least attempt a little forgiveness on your part."

Too choked up to talk because, damn it, he had a point, Ellie could only nod.

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Delinquent Daddy

by Linda Kage

"Do you believe I wasn't trying to mislead you in the bathroom?"

Again, she nodded.

He blew out a breath. "Good. That's a start at least."

He was quiet a long moment, and there was no way Ellie could speak.

Finally he pushed away from the wall. "I still have very strong feelings for you, Ellie. I'll always want to act on them.

But believe me when I say I won't force my unwanted attentions on you and grope you again. Okay?"

With that said, he spun away and left the house.

It was Ellie's turn to sag against the wall. She covered her mouth and tried not to be affected by his words. But then she wondered why she was trying so hard. Why did she have to hold a grudge?

For too long, she'd shrouded herself in hurt, built up an armor against suffering that kind of pain again. Ten years ago, he'd destroyed her and ruined her idea of love. But he was right when he'd said they had no hope for even an amiable future if she couldn't even try to let some of that bitterness go. There was a nine-year-old girl whose happiness depended on it.

Realizing what she had to do, Ellie straightened and left the hallway. As soon as she opened the back door, she saw him crouched down by Monty's truck and hugging Cassie goodbye.

"When am I going to see you again?" Cassie asked, her eyes huge and sad.

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Delinquent Daddy

by Linda Kage

"How about next Thursday?" Ellie spoke, slipping her hands into her back pockets as she approached the group, her gaze moving unconsciously toward Boston.

Both father and daughter turned and glanced up in surprise. "What?"

"What do you say, Cass?" she asked, ignoring Boston.

"Want to spend Thanksgiving with your dad?"

Cassie's eyes grew wide. "Can I?" she asked, clearly excited about the idea. "I can't wait to see Libby and Cora again."

Ellie smiled, guessing Libby and Cora were probably cousins close to Cassie's age. She laughed as Cassidy squealed in delight and hugged her father again.

"This is going to be so much fun," Cassie exclaimed. She'd never been to a true Thanksgiving before. It'd always been just her and Ellie. But now that she had a large family, she was going to get something Ellie had only dreamed of.

Cameron and Monty demanded that Cassidy hug them as well before they left. And as Monty swooped the girl up in the air, making her shriek in delight, Boston shifted closer to Ellie.

"Thank you," he murmured quietly.

She nodded mutely. In the next moment, he was enveloped by his brother and cousin, talking guy stuff before the two men waved farewell and piled into their extended cab pickup.