Tied Up, Tied Down (Rough Riders #4)(11)

Hardheaded.You determined to get your way is not gonna be easy. For either of you.”


He didn’t rise to the bait. Nor would he back down. “Nothin’ worthwhile ever is.”


India considered him without malice. “No pain, no gain, huh?”


“Not the phrase I’d choose, but yeah, I suppose that fits.”


“Good luck, because, man, are you gonna need it.”


Kade grinned. “Oh, I don’t need luck. I’ve got something even better.”


“What’s that?”


“A strong set of ropes, an iron will, and all the patience in the world.”


Chapter Five


The spicy aroma of tomato and chili powder greeted Skylar at the front door. She half wondered if she’d stumbled into the wrong house, especially when a gorgeous man strolled down the hallway with a grin a mile wide. A grin aimed at her.

“And here I was hopin’ you’d yell, ‘Hey honey, I’m home’.”


“Sorry to disappoint you.”


“Maybe next time. Lemme take her.” He plucked the baby carrier from her arm like it weighed nothing.

“Thanks.” Skylar kicked off her sandals and noticed Kade was barefoot. She also noticed he’d changed out of his usual cowboy attire. Instead of Wranglers and a long-sleeved shirt, he wore faded black sweatpant shorts and a gray tank top, which showed off his muscular arms and broad chest.

“Supper’s done whenever you’re ready.” He headed for the living room.

She followed him and bit back a groan. The view from the rear was just as good as the front view. His wide shoulders tapered into a narrow waist, ending with an ass so round and tight she could’ve bounced a quarter off it. Or sunk her teeth into it to double-check if it was as firm and yummy as it looked.

Get control of yourself, Sky.

Why was she having this physical reaction to him again? Strictly hormonal on a biological level because he was the father of her child?

No. You’re reacting this way because that man—your new roommate—is smoking hot.

He set the car seat on the floor. “You wanna show me how to get her outta this contraption?”


“Sure. Push the red button, move the handle up until it locks. Then unfasten the seatbelt. Just like that. See? Easy.”


Eliza’s eyes blinked open and she stared at Kade as he lifted her out.

“Well, aren’t you a bright-eyed little thing?”


Skylar watched him, chattering away to his daughter like it was an everyday occurrence. Her emotions shifted from jealousy to relief to flat-out amusement. The man was a goner for Miss Eliza Belle. He’d taken to her faster than Sky ever imagined.

“Is she always this good?”


“No.” Sky glanced at the clock. “Give her an hour. She gets really fussy around dinnertime. And then right before bed.”


“I’ll keep her entertained if you wanna eat.”


“She does have a baby bouncer. You don’t have to hold her all the time.”


Kade’s eyes met hers. “I wanna hold her. You’re gonna have a devil of a time gettin’ her away from me.” When Skylar balked, he amended, “That didn’t come out right. What I meant was…I’m just pretty much stunned by her. Not only that I didn’t know she existed, but if it’ll ever sink in that she’s really mine. And I’m responsible for her for the rest of her life.”


“It’s a daunting concept, isn’t it?”


“Yeah. I really haven’t been around babies all that much, if you wanna know the truth, so I’m gonna need your help.”


Skylar expected gruffness, not Kade to act as bewildered and awestruck as she’d been. She touched his forearm, offering him reassurance “Give yourself more than a day to process it all, Kade. I had six months to get used to the idea of a baby, while she was growing inside me. You’ve had six hours. The more time you spend with her, the easier it’ll get.”


“You trust me with her?”


“You wouldn’t be here if I didn’t. Besides, I didn’t know all that much about babies either. To some extent, it is instinctive. Only way to learn is by doing.”


Sky sidestepped him and wandered to the kitchen, shocked at how easy it was to leave Kade with their daughter.

He’d cleaned the counters and washed dishes. A pot of chili simmered on the stove.

A round bakery box with a chocolate frosted cake sat in the middle of the table. She sagged against the doorway. He’d remembered her favorite dessert.

Dammit. It’d be easier to keep this situation impersonal if he was a complete dickhead.

Impersonal. Right. A little too late for that. They had a child. The man had proposed to her not four hours ago. Apparently, he’d moved in. And apparently, she didn’t mind.

She expelled a heavy sigh and muttered, “Maybe I should’ve just said yes.”


“The offer still stands, Skylar.”


His deep voice next to her ear sent a shiver through her. “You scared me.”


“I know.”


Did he mean he knew sneaking up on her scared her? Or was he talking about his marriage proposal? Rather than dig herself into a hole, she bit back the demand for clarification.