Caught Up (Windy City, #3)

by Liz Tomforde

“You’ve got a cute kid.” You’ve got a cute everything, is what I want to say in response.

“I know it’s weird to offer, but I can hold him if you wa⁠—” “No,” I snap. “Geez.” “I mean, no, thank you. He doesn’t do well with women.” “Wonder where he got that from.”

“Oh, well that’s good. I mean, that’s not good. Or maybe it is good? Who am I to say? Goddamn, this elevator is taking forever.” She slaps a palm over her mouth, her eyes darting to Max. “I mean, gosh dang it.” That finally makes me chuckle, a small grin sliding across my lips.

She softens a bit. “He does smile.” “He smiles a whole lot more when he’s not being berated by a stranger in an elevator while she’s double fisting beers first thing after she wakes up.” “Maybe she never went to sleep.” Another casual pop of her shoulders. Dear God.

“Maybe he should loosen up every once in a while. He’s got a cute-ass kid and an even cuter smile when he shows it.” She lifts her Corona to me before chugging the rest and exiting the elevator. “Thanks for the ride, Baby Daddy. It was…interesting.”

“But so you know, I’m doing this as a favor. So, try to be less of a dick about it, yeah? See you later, Baby Daddy.” She stops at the door, her hand on the knob as she cocks her head in contemplation. “Or should I say, Baseball Daddy? Oh yeah. Much better. Baseball Daddy, it is!”

“And Ace,” he calls out. “Keep your dick in your pants. We all know how fucking fertile you are, and I’m too young and too goddamn attractive for someone to be calling me Grandpa.” “Jesus Christ,” I huff, leaving his room.

“He’ll be on his hands and knees most of the time.” “As all men should be.” Isaiah makes his presence known with a childish squeak of a laugh. “I like her,” he says.

Without thinking and without words I reach out to stop her, but she moves one way and I move the other far too quickly so that both my hands land on her tits instead of my intended destination—the safety of her upper arms. We freeze by the door, my hands cupping her.

cackling🤣🤣🤣

you’re as terrible of a listener in the bedroom as you are in real life, Miller, I can promise you this, you wouldn’t be allowed to come.” Those pretty lips part, jade eyes wide. “Two can play this game, Montgomery. Now, let’s go.” I nod toward the other side of the house once again. Her lips press together, holding back a grin. “You keep talking like that, Kai, and I’ll be ditching the ‘baseball’ part and just be calling you ‘daddy.’”

I’ve never thought about having kids before, but I’d be shocked to find a woman whose ovaries aren’t doing all sorts of cartwheels watching Kai Rhodes know exactly what to do to make his son feel better.

A single brow lifts. “Mills, huh?” “Don’t try to ruin the moment with humor, Montgomery. I’ll call you whatever the hell I feel like.” “Yes, Daddy.” The woman next to her coughs into her fist, reminding us that she’s there. “Baseball Daddy, I mean.” I simply shake my head at her.

“If you’re going to start coming to my games, I better see Rhodes on your back and I’m not talking about my brother.” “Is this some athlete kink you got? Need to see a girl in your jersey?” The old flirty side of me that I’ve kept hidden and locked down for the most part since Max came into my life is itching to break free. I pop my shoulders. “I like to see pretty girls in my jersey. Like to take it off them too.” Miller’s lips part, a shocked and satisfied grin lifting on the corners. “Well, with that kind of promise, I’ll be sure to wear it next time.”

I lower my lips to her ear. “Is that what you need to hear, Miller? That I think you’re hot? Do you really need to hear me say I can’t keep my fucking eyes off you when you’re in the room, or have you finally picked up on that?” Her body stiffens and from behind, I watch her throat move in a long swallow. “No. I like watching you beat yourself up over wanting to look at me. It’s much more satisfying to know I piss you off than it would be to know I turn you on.” A small laugh rumbles in my chest. “Well, much to my frustration you, Miller, are excellent at both.”

There’s only one instance in which I can see myself gagging in Kai Rhodes’ presence, and it sure as hell isn’t from liquor.

“You flirting with me, Montgomery?” “Have been since we met. You gonna start flirting back?”

“Gratitude and peace?” I turn to look at him. “I think I could find a lot of gratitude and peace while in bed with you, Kai Rhodes.” He bursts a laugh. “You have no fucking filter.”

His thumb trails down my jaw before sliding against my lower lip. “I want you to kiss me again.” Oh. He stares at my mouth. “I really liked kissing you, Mills.”

“Because if I kiss you again,” he continues, “I have a feeling I’m going to want to do it every time I see you.” I arch into him. “I don’t see the problem with that.” “The problem with me kissing you is it’s only going to lead me to wanting to fuck you more than I already do, and I don’t do the unattached fucking thing like I used to.”

I lift my brow, a sly smile creeping across my lips. “The van has been known to rock. You should come in and give it a try sometime.” He shoots me an unimpressed glare. “Please stop talking.”

He’s got Max situated on one incredibly veiny forearm when he uses the bottom of his shirt to wipe the summer sweat from his brow. He’s got to be freaking kidding with that. How has he not been with anyone since Max came along? All he needs to do is stand at his front door, hold his son, and maybe take his shirt off. All the women in the neighborhood would come running. It’s like watching single dad porn.

“You’re not going to blow on it for me?” He wears a devilish smile, but mine is a whole lot naughtier. “Oh, I’ll blow something for you. All you have to do is ask.” “Jesus,” he laughs. “Give me the freaking banana bread.”

Kai swallows the sounds with a gravelly groan of satisfaction. “Goddamn,” he exhales, pulling away for only a second. “Who knew you’d sound so pretty when you whine?”

🥵🥵🥵

“I think I’m ruined by simply watching you come, so please, do me a favor and go to bed.” Fixing my shirt, he gives me one last quick kiss. “And for the love of God…lock the fucking door.”

“This is why you have Max,” I somehow say. “I’m fairly certain you’re fucking me right past my birth control.” “Miller.” He halts his movements. “That’s an inside thought.” “I don’t have inside thoughts.”

“Works for me too, but I will jump your fucking bones if I’m left naked, Malakai, and you’re the one who doesn’t want to take advantage of me.”

“Hey!” “You’re being a brat today.” I swallow down her cocktail and set the glass back on the table. She scoffs. “I’m a ray of fucking sunshine.”

He nudges his nose against mine. “I love you. God, I love you so much, Miller, it feels like it might kill me.”

“Miller,” he says, making sure my attention is on him. “If you ever decide to stop running and make a home…” His eyes are begging, pleading. “Make it with me.”