If You Give a Single Dad a Nanny (Aspen Grove, #1)

by Ann Einerson

For those who have struggled to find their place. Family isn’t defined by those who are biologically related to you. It’s the people who love you unconditionally, support your dreams, and stand by you no matter what.

“Would you like this one? It’s a daffodil. It represents new beginnings, which I think is fitting for our situation.” “Yes, please.” Lola carefully takes the flower from Marlow’s hand. “It might be thirsty, so make sure you keep it in water so it doesn’t wilt.” Lola looks up at me. “Daddy, will you get my flower a drink?”

God, why is she so damn pretty all the time? Even with paint on her face, she’s stunning…

She gives me a tentative smile and any inclination to reprimand her evaporates. Damn, that smile of hers gets me every time.

“Listen, Waffles, we need to have a little chat.” I focus my attention on the slobbering canine, not daring to look at Marlow. “I don’t want to cramp your style, but I use my loft as an office, and when I’m working from home, it’s hard to concentrate when you play your music so loud. Is there any chance you could turn it down when I’m working from home?” Bored with this conversation, Waffles plops down on the ground. I click my tongue in disapproval. “I’m disappointed in you, Waffles. I thought you’d take this more seriously.”

“You’re beautiful in whatever you wear, so a few extra layers won’t do you any harm, if you’re concerned about how you look.”

“You and that dog of yours are a whole lot of trouble,” I whisper. “At least there’s never a dull moment with us around,”

“Dylan, what are you doing?” she murmurs. “Thinking about what it would be like to kiss you,” I say softly. It’s not the first time. I imagine she tastes like strawberries and pink lemonade, sparking my curiosity to test my theory.

I’ve spent so long avoiding emotional connections out of fear of getting hurt, and Marlow is the first person aside from Lola who’s made me truly feel in the past six years.

Good morning, sunshine, I hope you enjoy your breakfast. Have a great day. -Dylan

“Thank you.” I lean back to meet her gaze. “I’m glad you were with Lola today. She’s fortunate to have you in her life.” Marlow squints at me with suspicion. “Okay, who are you, and what have you done with Dylan Stafford?” she playfully demands. “What if I said you make me want to be a better person?”

“Lola isn’t the only one I missed while I was gone.” “She’s not?” Her eyes widen at my admission. I shake my head, not able to find the right words. “Does this mean you’re finally ready to confess your undying love for Waffles?” she asks with a gleam in her eye. “I wouldn’t bank on that happening anytime soon.” I chuckle. “Not until he’s learned to behave.” “Darn, he’ll be crushed when I break the news.”

“You taste sweeter than I imagined, sweetheart,”

He’s downright sexy, particularly with his five o’clock shadow and glasses. He smirks. “You think I’m sexy?” Did I say that out loud? “Yeah, you did.” That too? He chuckles as he strides out of the kitchen. “For the time being, let’s assume that whatever is going through your head is coming out of that beautiful mouth of yours.” “Will you stop being so nice? It’s freaking me out.” He presses a kiss on my forehead. “You’ll get used to it.”

“I want you to listen carefully, sunshine.” He cups my face with his hands and looks me directly in the eyes. “You might not be perfect, hell nobody is, but you are incredible just the way you are. You find the silver lining in any situation and have a gift for making people smile on their worst days.” He caresses my cheek with the pad of his thumb. “And your artistic ability is unmatched. How you can turn a blank canvas into a masterpiece is a rare and remarkable talent. Your differences are what makes you so damn special.

“I’ve seen that look before.” “What look?” I feign innocence. “The one you get when you’re contemplating doing something you shouldn’t.” “You think you know me so well, huh?” I ask with a playful grin. She lifts a brow. “Am I wrong?” “Honestly? No. I was convincing myself I shouldn’t kiss you again,” I say as I stare at her mouth.

“You can’t kiss me right now,” she blurts out. “Why not?” “Because I’m sick, and the last thing Lola and I need is for you to catch it. I suspect that you’d be a challenging patient, and I refuse to deal with your grumpiness when you’re stuck in bed for days.” She shivers at the thought. I chuckle softly. She has a point. When I’m sick, I do have a tendency to be more irritable. I lean in to press a kiss on her forehead. “I guess that will have to do for now. I want you to know that I do like you, sunshine.” “I like you too, Dylan,”

“You’re so pretty,” Lola sighs dreamily. “Daddy, don’t you think Marlow’s pretty?” She tilts her head toward Dylan. “Yes, she’s very beautiful.” His gaze is fixed on me as he speaks.

I squeak in surprise when Dylan pulls me toward him, turning me around so my back is against his chest, his hand possessively on my hip. “There, now your daughter has plenty of room.” He gives Sarah a terse smile. “Dylan,” I whisper. “You’re making a scene.” “I’m only doing what Sarah asked.”

“Hear that, sunshine?” I whisper. “Lola’s new favorite food is Cheez-Its. Any idea why that might be?” She looks at me innocently. “Because they’re delicious?” I shake my head. “You’re incorrigible.”

Taking care of Marlow brings me a sense of satisfaction that I’ve been missing. Now that I know what it’s like, there’s a part of me that yearns to be the one she trusts to heal all her wounds, the one to kiss away the pain.

God, it’s no wonder I’m falling for her when she’s so caring, generous, and cheerful. I admire that she marches to the beat of her own drum, refusing to let the world tell her who she should be. Little by little, she is making her way into my heart, and she’s completely unaware of it.

“For starters, I really want to kiss you, and if we’re being blunt”—I glance down the hall to make sure Lola’s still in the other room—“I want to strip you bare and fuck you.”

“Mark my words, Marlow Taylor, when we finally get a moment to ourselves, I’m going to do much more than kiss you.”

I want to be the first person she shares her successes with and the one to hold her when she cries. Whether we have a day, a week, or a year together, I’m willing to take the chance. Because aside from Lola, she matters more to me than anyone else.

She’s a goddamn vision and I want to make her mine. Only mine.

“You have no idea what painting you bought. What if you hate it?” Marlow splutters as she steps out of my embrace. “You made it. Of course I’ll love it,”

“No more waiting, sweetheart.” I waste no time pushing her panties aside and sinking two fingers inside her. “Damn, you’re soaked. Is this all for me?” “Oh god, yes,”

“Are you going to come on my hand with a room full of people only a few feet away?”

“That’s my girl,” I praise, with another kiss. “It’s safe to say that listening to you come is now one of my favorite sounds.”

“Your show sold out. You’ve got to celebrate, and I’d be honored if you’d let me and my family be a part of it.” Her expression softens, and a smile lights up her face. “I’d really like that.” I kiss her soft lips again. “Now let’s get back out there. You’ve worked incredibly hard and deserve to enjoy every second of your success.”

“Marlow?” “Mm-hmm?” “Walking into that gallery tonight and seeing you with Gavin nearly drove me mad.” There’s a touch of anguish in his tone. “The idea of you with someone else messes with my head.”

“What are you saying?” I ask tentatively. “Be mine, sunshine? The only person I want to be with is you.”

“You like that, sunshine?” he whispers in my ear. “Thinking about what it would feel like in that tight cunt of yours?” “Oh god, yes,” I mewl. “That’s my girl.”

“Dylan Stafford, what has gotten into you?” she cries out. She has. Marlow Taylor has become a fixture in my life, and I never want her to leave.

“Dylan, I’m going to come,” she whimpers. “No, you’re not,” I challenge. “You’re going to be a good girl and wait until I give you permission.” I give her an encouraging kiss on the lips.

God, this woman has me completely under her spell, and I’m basking in the gratification of being claimed by her.

“Hey, Marlow.” “Yeah, lolabug?” “I love you,” Lola whispers as she wraps her arm around Marlow’s waist. I’m rooted to the spot at my daughter’s declaration. I’ve never heard her say those three words to anyone except my parents and me, not even my siblings. Marlow is misty-eyed as she looks down at my daughter with adoration and devotion. We could be a real family someday. The thought doesn’t cause me panic or confusion. In fact, I’m thinking of ways I could make it a reality. “I love you too,”

No one has ever gotten me flowers before, believe it or not.” “Damn, sunshine.” He squeezes me tighter. “I’ll buy you flowers every day, if it makes you happy.” I’m falling hard for this man.

“You’re a fucking masterpiece,” Dylan murmurs as he gazes down at me. “My masterpiece.”

I long for the day when I can wake up with her by my side each morning, and she’s the last thing I see before I close my eyes at night. She and Lola hold my whole heart, and I want us to be a real family… Waffles too.

Her body was my canvas to do as I pleased, and if she’d let me, I’d spend the rest of my life worshiping her the way I did that night.

“Hi, Marlow. Hi, Daddy,” she exclaims, waving enthusiastically with both arms. “That’s my niece,” Cash hollers proudly. The crowd erupts into laughter as Lola’s teacher steps out from the stage wing and gently coaxes Lola back into place. Lola goes right back to swaying with a megawatt smile for the rest of the song.

“Don’t you get it? No one else can make me feel the way you and Lola do. Believe me when I tell you there is nothing better.”

“I would have paid a million dollars for a Marlow Taylor original. But for this particular piece, I’d give up everything. It’s priceless because I’ll think of you and Lola every time I see it. You’ve brought color into our lives both literally and figuratively, and there isn’t a version of our future without you.”

She’s like the sun, and we’re all lucky enough to be in her orbit, basking in her warmth. She deserves nothing less than unwavering support as she chases her dreams, and I’m committed to making sure she has it.

I’m in love with her, and no matter how long she asks me to wait, I’ll do it. I will do whatever it takes to have her by my side for the rest of my life.

“I love you, Marlow Taylor. I love you so damn much, and I’m sorry it took me so long to tell you.” She places her hand over mine as tears stream down her face. “I love you too, Dylan Stafford.” “Thank god,” I sigh in relief. “I’m not sure what I would have done if you didn’t say it back,” I tease as I wipe away her tears with my thumbs. She smiles. “Lucky for you, that wasn’t the case.”

“You want Waffles to stay in your house? A couple of months ago, he wasn’t even allowed inside, and now you’re giving him free rein?” “He’s your family, sunshine, which makes him part of my family. The only place he’s not welcome is on my memory foam pillow,” I

“It’s such a long time. What if we can’t make a long-distance relationship work?” “It’s only three months,” I remind her. “That’s twelve weeks, a fourth of a year, or approximately ninety days. It pales in comparison to spending forever with you.”