Limitless Love (Lotus House #4)(6)

Lily hummed and danced around her room. She had a wand in one hand that she fluttered in the air sporadically. For the life of me, I had no clue what the heck she was doing, but she seemed very serious about her dance, so I didn’t ask.

“King Clay…” she started.

“My name is Clayton, sweetie.” Shit. I’d given her a nickname already. I clenched my teeth and focused on the kid. Damn, she was cute. Just like her mother.

“’S’wat I said. Clay.” She frowned and bopped me on one shoulder and then the other, blasting me into attention.

“Ouch!” I laughed and grabbed hold of her weapon.

“Dat’s mine! I have to protect you with my spell!” Her voice rose excitedly.

I couldn’t help but chuckle and nod. “Okay, okay. Just do it softer.” I used a low tone. Keep her happy while her mom dealt with whatever had gone down. Only thing I heard was that Monet was in the hospital and Atlas needed me to look after Lily while they checked it out.

She smiled and did it again, this time with less force. “You are now ’tected by the power of the Secret Garden Land!”

“What do I need to be protected from?” I asked, getting into the pretend game.

“Monsters.”

I widened my eyes for effect, which she seemed to enjoy. “There are monsters in the garden?”

She snort-huffed. “No, silly. I’ve ’tected the Secret Garden Land. You’re safe now, even when you leave my room!” Her corresponding smile and the pride that puffed her chest up was something to behold.

“Why would you protect me?” I asked softly, that uneasy feeling in my gut growing with each playful smile she bestowed.

Lily pursed her lips. “B’cuz I like you, and you like my mom.”

I jerked my head back. What the…? “Now what would make you think that, sweetie?” I tickled her side, thinking it was the thing to do in that moment. Deflect. Deflect. Deflect. What was that thing Trent was saying about kids always knowing when something was up with people? They were like natural little private investigators.

Lily howled with laughter and jumped back.

“You looked at her pictures on the walls a lot and smiled. You like her.” Lily’s tone was matter-of-fact and more confident than I would have expected from a small child.

Observant little bugger. I did do that while checking out the house. When Atlas left, he asked me to drive Lily home and get her situated because they didn’t know when they would be back. I took that time to take a gander at the beautiful woman I’d been attracted to last year.

“Well, your mommy is very pretty.”

She nodded vigorously. “The prettiest princess in the whole world.”

“And what about you?” I petted the top of her black hair, surprised at how soft it was. Lily was quite possibly the cutest little girl I’d ever seen. Not that I’d been exposed to that many kids. Only my buddy Trent’s son, William. I’d’ve bet this kid could be on the cover of those parenting magazines. She took a lot after her mother’s Asian side, but the unique blue eyes and lighter skin must have at least partly been from her father. My guess? A white guy with blue eyes. Probably the douchebag ex-husband.

Those pretty eyes of hers focused so intently on me I swore she could see right through to my guarded and tarnished soul. And just like a truly honest and forthright kid, she responded to my statement with one of her own.

“I’m the queen, don’t ya know.” She said the words so seriously I cracked.

I couldn’t hold the fa?ade anymore and laughed so hard I tumbled on my back, clutching at my abdomen until it wore off. Damn, this little girl was a hoot.

“’R’you hurt?” She put her hand on my forehead. “Not hot.”

“You checking my temperature, Lily?”

She nodded and stuck out her tongue and lopped it to one side as she checked my entire face. “Yep. I’m gonna be a doctor and fix up all the people hurt in the world. Animals too.”

I smiled. “Those are some lofty goals there, but if anyone can do it, it will be you.” I poked her nose.

What was going on with me? This kid was bringing out a totally different side of me. One I didn’t even know I had. I mean, I’d hoped I had it. When the shit went down with Stacey, I’d planned on doing everything in my power to be great with kids. Trent’s son liked me. Only, there was something about this child. I wanted more from her. Acceptance. Attention.

I ran my hands through my hair, letting the strange feeling seep into my bones. I wasn’t sure what else to do with it.

Lily stood and jumped up and down. “I’m really hungry. Mommy was gonna make chicken. Can I have Froot Loops?” She changed subjects faster than I could blink.

I shook my head and hopped up. When she grabbed my much larger hand with her tiny one, a zap of electricity zipped through my fingers. I was surprised by my natural reflex to hold her hand tighter. Something about it just felt good, like hope and joy perfectly fit in the palm of my hand. I shook off the weird feeling. My guy friends were always telling me kids did weird things, like tugging on their heartstrings better than any sexy woman ever could. I was beginning to think they were right.

“Come on, sweetie. Let’s see what your mom has in the kitchen, though I don’t think Froot Loops is a good dinner.”