The Single Dad (The Dalton Family, #3)

by Marni Mann

I held the baby up to my chest, patting her back. As I rubbed small circles, my body shifting, swinging, a feeling entered. I didn’t understand it. I didn’t know what it was, but it made me hold her tighter. It made my arms build a wall where nothing could get in. “Hey, hey,” I whispered into her face. The heat from her crying thick like steam. “I know you don’t know my voice or the feel of my arms, but I’m going to tell you something.” I pressed my lips against her forehead, breathing her in, her scent so clean and powdery. “I’m never going to let anything happen to you.” I held my lips there, my eyes closing, my heart pounding away. “I promise.”

“Are you going to be a good girl for Hannah when she watches you tonight?” “Of course, silly.” The words that came out of this four-year-old’s

This girl didn’t just have a beautiful face; she had it all. She was absolutely fucking stunning. With curly, long, dark hair that framed her face like French doors. Icy-blue eyes. Thick, heart-shaped lips, and a dusting of freckles that sat high on her cheeks, light, like whispers. Our gazes locked. But I couldn’t help myself. I had to continue viewing her body. It wasn’t often that I got to see one as perfect as hers. I almost moaned as I studied her—her dips and curves, her arches that were emphasized by her skintight red dress. Why the hell is it so hard to breathe?

“Europe?” Her smile was sensual, beautiful. “London … how did you know?” “Call me intuitive.” “Ohhh, then you already know I only just got back this afternoon.” “Of course I do. But keep talking.” She laughed. “I was there this time for three months, so to be honest, I’m not sure if it’s today or tomorrow or if my feet are on the ground or still in the air.” She sucked in a mouthful of air. “But your eyes are telling me I’m very much here …” “You’re here.” I ran my thumb over my lips, wishing they were covered in her scent. “And this isn’t a dream … even if it feels like one.” First, she gave me a smile, then a slow bite of her bottom lip.

Love this whole exchange

The last few minutes I’d spent with him was a blur of tingles and pulses. Even now, just walking next to him, I wobbled in my heels, simply from his smile and presence. I didn’t know where he had come from, but, my God, I was overtaken by him.

“An accidental encounter.” My heart sped up as I said those words—his words. Ones that were so perfect that my pulse continued to rise. “I cut him off in line at the bar. I hadn’t meant to, but I can’t lie; I’m almost glad I did. That man is whoa. Whoa on just every level.”

“Even his name is sexy.” My eyes briefly closed. “I know.” “Do you know what I see when I look at him?” “I can’t wait to hear this.” She squeezed my shoulder. “Handcuffs. Dirty sex. Waking up in the morning with his face between your legs.” She lowered her voice, finally whispering, “That man has dominance written all over him.” I wondered if she could sense how sweaty I was getting. How it only added to the hotness Ford had already built.

“I’m starting to think this time difference is messing with your ability to see how scrumptious he is.” “Oh, I see.” As I filled my lungs, more tingles burst through my chest. I turned, now looking at my best friend. “But I’m half dead, I’m here with my girls tonight, and my life is”—I took another breath, bringing myself back down to reality—“in this weird, in-between phase, giving me no position to really get my flirt on.” She patted my cheek like a baby’s butt. “You’re sexy as fuck. You haven’t been laid in what … years? You have every reason to get your flirt on, especially now that you’re back for good and you can once again appreciate what LA has to offer, starting with that man over there.” “You’re relentless.” “No, I’m your voice of reason.”

“I’m more of a sipper than a chugger.” He laughed. “That’s cute.” Hearing those words from his mouth, in that deep, dark voice, was far from cute. It was like a moan vibrating across me. His gaze, like a set of hands wrapping around me, was more intense than I’d ever felt. “Interesting …” His

“Sydney Summers,” he said, his tone the grittiest it had been so far. “I like that.” He took a sip of his new drink, sucking one of the ice cubes into his mouth. “I’m Ford Dalton.” “Ford Dalton,” I repeated. “That’s like the perfect celebrity name.” “No interest in being one of those.” He paused. “I like right where I am at.” “In life or …” “Right now.” Oh. Gabby was right. This man was dominant. I let his response simmer, my chest pounding, my hands steamy even though they were wrapped around the chilly martini glass.

“What I’m thinking about is your mouth.” He ran his thumb over my bottom lip and then the top. “What it would taste like. What it would feel like.” His gaze was there, on the spot he was speaking about, making those same lips part. “And I don’t know how much longer I can wait to find out.”

She stood before me in only her bra and panties, both light pink. And lace. Fuck me. I backed up a few inches, needing to take in this view. “Man”—I shook my head—“I’m one lucky motherfucker.”

“I want you to think of this moment every time you sit down for breakfast,” I said and plunged inside her. “I want you to think of my fucking cock when you’re drinking coffee here.”

Fuck me. The two of them couldn’t be any more beautiful together, and her having my baby in her arms was certainly a sight I could get used to.

“None at all,” I fibbed. “It’s like nothing happened between us. And when you think about it—I mean, really think about it—not much did. Two hookups. That’s nothing.” But in my mind, the opposite was true. Each of the hours we’d spent together had left an impression that echoed constantly. That relentless vibration of memories wouldn’t let me forget the taste of her skin, the feel of her body, the wetness that had coated me.

Her arms wrapped around my shoulders, her hands diving into my hair. “I would pick her over and over again. Everly means everything to me.” She took a breath. “But I want you both, and the truth is, I always have.” I couldn’t wait. My lips slammed against hers, and I held our faces together.

He traced my bottom lip. “I can’t stop thinking about last night.” He closed the distance between us again. This time, his kiss was gradual, savoring. A brief swipe of his tongue followed before he pulled away. “I can’t stop thinking about you.” His expression was raw. Emotional but sensual at the same time.

“I’m not going anywhere, Ford.” I ran my fingers across his lips—a move that had previously belonged solely to him. “I’ve wanted to say this for a long time, and I finally can.” My chest pounded as I took in his eyes. My whole body tingled. “I’m yours.” He lifted me from the stool, holding me in his arms, and my legs wrapped around his waist. He held the back of my head, positioning our mouths only inches apart. “Say that again, Sydney.” “I’m yours—” He slammed our mouths together. And in that moment, I knew something else to be true. Ford Dalton was mine.

He was so good with her. Patient. Understanding. So fatherly in a productive, not overwhelming way.

“You’re going to get everything you want,” he told me. “But you’re going to have to beg.”

I was so grateful for this moment, the way she had accepted me into their lives from the very beginning. How she was accepting me now. Those feelings only increased when I heard, “Love you, Syd.” Oh God. My heart swelled to the point that my eyes squinted, fighting back the tears that wanted to form. “I love you too, Everly.” When I opened my lids, I looked across the seat at Ford. It’s okay, he mouthed. He knew. And for that, I was even more grateful. TWENTY-ONE FORD “F

I kissed her, just briefly, a brush of lips and air. “You know how wild I am about you.” Her arms circled my waist, gripping me. “And I’m so wild about you.” “But there’s more.” She nodded. “For me too.” I lowered, keeping our lips inches apart, and I breathed in her coconut scent. An aroma that was stronger than the ocean. And I felt something that was deeper than anything I’d ever experienced with another woman. “Fuck …” I pressed our noses together, needing her to feel my words as I said, “I love you.” And then I kissed her. Harder this time. Emptying my chest. Emotionally surrendering. “I love you,” she breathed back.

She hadn’t realized I’d gotten on my knee. That I was holding out my hand. That I was asking, “Be my wife?” “And my mommy,” Everly chimed in. I slipped my other arm around Everly, glancing at my daughter as I added, “Be ours.” I took the ring from Everly, and I positioned it over Sydney’s finger. Waiting. It took only seconds for Sydney to reply, “Yes.” Once the ring was on her finger, she bent down and threw her arms around us. “Forever and ever.”