Make You Mine (Honey Mountain, #3)

by Laura Pavlov

Hell, I’d wanted to taste those soft lips of hers. My dick had been having a fucking meltdown ever since. It had been so long since I’d wanted a woman like this. Sure, I’d messed around occasionally, a man had needs. I’d gone years without having sex with my wife. I’d gotten used to relying on my hand when I needed the release. But I’d never wanted anyone the way I wanted Ashlan Thomas. And the girl could not be more off-limits. She was Cap’s daughter. The youngest of the Thomas girls. Too young for me.

Cap would lose his shit. And why the fuck would a twenty-three-year-old girl who was smart and talented and beautiful—want to mess around with a single dad who was nearly a decade older than her? Technically, she was nine years younger than me as of today, but still. She wasn’t someone I could just have sex with. It would have to be an all-or-nothing thing with a girl like Ashlan, and I didn’t have much to offer. My time was spent between my girls, putting out fires, and renovating homes. A girl like Ashlan deserved the fairy tale. And that was something I didn’t even believe in anymore, if I ever did. I needed to get her out of my system.

I was a selfish prick. She was Cap’s daughter and my girls adored her. Kissing her and acting on these feelings would only make things awkward. Hell, we’d barely looked at one another for weeks after she’d walked into the bathroom and got a sneak peek of my goods. And let me tell you—the way her mouth gaped open was something I couldn’t get out of my head. She was fucking beautiful. And sweet. And good. Too good. Too good for me, no question about it. Sometimes you needed to be the grown-up, and that’s exactly what I was doing.

She bit down on her juicy bottom lip, and I shoved my hands in my pockets to keep from reaching for her.

That's Why he shoves his hands in his pocket

She leaned against the doorframe, and her smile stole the air from my lungs.

“Really? The girls are so thoughtful to get me a leatherbound journal with my name personalized on it. They must have planned ahead, huh?” I chuckled. “All right. They were the ones who insisted on the little cake and the cards. I just wanted to thank you for all that you are doing for them, for me—”

I needed to be careful with her. The temptation was stronger than anything I’d ever felt with anyone, but I wanted her to know how much she meant to us, without letting her know how badly I wanted her.

She cocked her head to the side and hiccupped once more. She was so fucking cute. There was such a genuineness about this girl. A goodness that I craved deep down in my soul. A goodness that I knew I didn’t deserve. Not anymore. I’d made my choices, and I wouldn’t change a thing because it brought me the two best things in my life. But my future was not my own, and I needed to remember that. I had two little girls that would always come first.

“It was the perfect gift. But you almost gave me the perfect gift yesterday too. I wasn’t sure if I imagined it at this point because it sure felt like something was happening there. And the curiosity is killing me.”

She wanted to know if I’d almost lost control yesterday. I’d almost kissed her. She knew it. And I knew it. Hell, we were both fighting this pull between us. I’d come to learn that sometimes doing the right thing was hard as hell. Raising my two girls alone—it was fucking hard. I wanted to give them everything and I didn’t know if I was capable. If I was patient enough. Smart enough to pull it off when they were teenagers. But I would damn well try. And walking away from this attraction was the right thing to do. Not for me. For her.

He wouldn’t so much as look at Ashlan Thomas again. I’d seen the fear in her eyes when I’d shown up in that bathroom yesterday. She tried to play it off, but I knew she was scared. And that shit didn’t sit right with me.

“Sunshine.” She turned around and her eyes widened. “That’s new.” “It’s also very fitting.” I walked a few steps toward her but kept a healthy distance at the same time. “You didn’t imagine anything yesterday.” “I didn’t?” she whispered. “Did I imagine you avoiding me the past few weeks? Were you mad that I walked in on you in the shower?” “Definitely not mad.” I chuckled. “You didn’t imagine yesterday, nor did you imagine the fact that I’ve been avoiding you a bit as well. There is something here, but it doesn’t make it right.”

Lavender flooded my senses and caused me to call on every amount of reserve that I had.

“Because you’re young. I’m ten years older than you. You’ve got your whole life in front of you.”

Her hand came up and her fingers trailed over the scruff on my jaw, and it felt so fucking good. When was the last time a woman’s touch felt this good?

“Nine years. I’m twenty-three today.” She chuckled and let out a long breath and it tickled my neck. “Or ...

“You’re fucking beautiful. You’re amazing with my girls. You’re smart and funny and sweet.” “So, what’s the problem? My parents had a ten-year age gap. Why does that matter? My mom ended up passing away young anyway. Age is just a number.”

“It matters. Your dad is my friend. We work together. He would not be happy about it, trust me.” “Because you’re older than me? That’s a lame excuse.” She pulled her hand away and crossed her arms over her chest. “Because I’m a divorced, single father of two. We’re in different places in our lives. This is just an attraction. It’ll pass. I need you to keep doing what you’re doing with my girls. You’re healing our family. I’ve never seen them happier. Hell, Hadley’s finally talking. Paisley was so excited because you did her hair in some kind of space buns and painted her nails. I can’t risk messing that up. Hurting them, hurting you—it’s not an option.”

“A kiss would never be enough for me,” I said because it was the truth, and I reached for her chin and rubbed the pad of my thumb over her bottom lip. “Not even fucking

“You can do better than me, Sunshine. I’ll see you at Everly and Hawk’s tomorrow?” “Yep. Apparently, they’re setting me up with a hockey player. This is your last chance to seal the deal,” she said over a fit of laughter. And damn if I didn’t want to seal the deal. Make her mine.

“Daddy, will Ashlan be at the party? Will there be fireworks? Will there be lots of people there? Will there be food? Because I’m hungry. Will Uncle Travis and Uncle Hayden be there?” Paisley asked from the back seat, and I glanced in the rearview mirror to see Hadley watching her sister with a big smile on her face. I loved the bond that these two shared.

swear the girl was five going on thirty, aside from the fact that it took her a good thirty minutes to go pee.

“Lucas here has been outside gawking over Ashlan,” Hawk said, shaking his head with a laugh.

The dude was about the same height as me, a bit of a pretty boy, and definitely not lacking confidence. My hands fisted at my side, and I shoved them in my pockets to hide my irritation. Of course the guy liked her. She was gorgeous and sweet, and there wasn’t anything not to like about Ashlan Thomas. He looked to be around her age, obviously very successful, and probably came with zero baggage. This was the kind of dude she should be dating. That I should want her to date.

Asher snorted, but my blood was boiling because that meant that Lucas hadn’t struck out. She must be into him. Why the fuck did I care? Her sister just all but shamed the guy for being older and I was even older than him. This was for the best. I needed a dose of reality to get my head screwed on straight.

Dylan reached for a carrot and cocked her head at me. “You look like you’re sulking.” “No, I don’t. I’m just in a perpetual bad mood.” Her head fell back in laughter. “I think you’re sick of sitting on the sidelines and ready to get back in the game. But you better get out there fast, because the bases are loaded, my friend.” “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” I reached for a celery stick because I needed something to keep my hands busy. One bite and I knew why I hated celery, stringy as shit. “You can’t stay on the bench forever, King. Because the game will be over before you know it.” She chuckled and I made my way back outside.

Ashlan was holding Hadley in her arms as they stood there watching Paisley hop around in a sack, jumping from side to side. My chest tightened as I took the three of them in. We’d never had family time with Karla. It had never been her thing. But seeing Ashlan with my girls made me want things I had no business wanting. Lucas appeared beside her, and he must have said something funny because her head fell back in laughter. Fucker.

“Ashlan sure is hot, am I right?” Hayden said, catching me off guard because I was staring. “I don’t know. I don’t look at her that way. She’s my fucking nanny.” Travis came up beside me and handed me a beer as he snorted. “Is that why you’re standing over here gaping at her?” “Fuck off. I’m watching the girls.” “Dude. Admit it. She’s fucking hot,” Hayden said as he elbowed me in the side.

Vivian watched her sister as she gave the hockey player very little attention, and her focus was on the girls. My girls. All three of them. In another world.

“Ashlan’s always been more comfortable with the little ones. I swear that girl was born to be a mother. Whenever we’d play house growing up, Ev would be the bossy teacher, me and Charlie always wanted to be the baby, Dilly insisted on being the babysitter because she said she wanted to be the rebellious teen, and Ash was always the mother. I think she’s exactly where she wants to be.”

The problem was that I liked her being there. I was getting used to having her around. And I knew better than to do that.

I laughed every time I pictured his face when I’d looked up to meet his gaze. He’d tried to cover it up with a forced smile, but I saw it all in his soulful blue eyes. The man was jealous. Whether he’d ever admit it or not was a different story. He’d made it clear that we couldn’t be together, but I couldn’t help myself for wanting more.

Hadley waddled down the stairs, giggling, and I scooped her up in my arms. “What’s up, angel face?” “Hi, Wuvie.” She nestled her head beneath my chin, and she smelled like baby powder and French fries, if that was a thing. I loved that she called me Wuvie now, because it was her way of saying love, and I’d take that all day long.

There weren’t even enough words to describe how much I loved these little girls. They were angelic and sweet and silly. I missed them when I wasn’t working, and I loved spending the days that I had with them together.

“Nana, yummy.” Hadley rubbed her little belly,

“A little bit. She woke up around three in the morning with a tummy ache. Started puking around five. It seems like she’s gotten it all out because it’s just bile at this point. You sure you’re up for this? This is certainly not in your job description.” “Really? You think nannying is exclusive to only good times? Of course, I’m okay with it. For the record, Dilly has a weak stomach. You’d never guess it with how tough she acts, but I’ve held that girl’s hair back more times than I can count. She gets that nasty stomach bug every year.” “You’ve always been a caregiver, haven’t you?” he asked as he sliced up some banana on a plate. “I guess so. I like taking care of people.”

“Well, I’ve got four overbearing sisters, one protective father, and I’m pretty good at taking care of myself.”

“That’s good. You were ready to go to the lake, huh?” Was his voice gruff, or was I imagining that? “Yeah. But we can go another time.” “Sure. They’d love that. I can’t thank you enough for all that you’re doing for my girls. They’re different, you know? Since you’ve been here.”

“I love being with them. It fills something that has been missing for me, I think. I don’t know how to explain it. How are they different?” “They’re calmer. Happier. Hadley’s talking more and more every day, and Paisley isn’t talking about how nervous she is to start school anymore. So, whatever you’re doing, it’s working wonders. And I’m happy to hear that you enjoy them too.” “I really do. I miss them when I’m not here,” I admitted with a shrug.

“How’s the hockey player?” “Lucas?” I asked as I followed him up the stairs. Was that jealousy I heard in his harsh tone? “Yeah. He’s the one who was hitting on you, right?” “Oh, yeah. He’s fine,” I said as we made our way back to the bedroom. I was about to tell him it was nothing more than friendship, but I kind of liked seeing Jace spun up about it. It meant there was hope.

Because the best was standing right in front of me. Taking care of these two little angels and going off to his job serving the community. Jace King was everything I wanted. He’d made it clear that he’d never cross the line, and I understood his reasons, but it didn’t make me want him less.

“Wuvie,” she said as her shoulders started to quake and the tears began to fall. “You’re okay,” I said as I scooped her up in my arms and carried her to the bathroom. I set her down next to the sink, trying to decide where to start. She was covered. “Oh no, Hadley’s got the pukes now too?” Paisley said, shaking her head. “She does.” I pulled the tank top over Hadley’s head and used a fresh washcloth to clean her up. “How about two sick little girlies in the tub? I can wash your hair and we’ll put on some clean clothes.”

I found the Tupperware that I kept under the sink with their shampoo to wash their hair with, and I took my time massaging each of their little heads. My mom used to do this for us, and nothing was better than my mama when I didn’t feel good. I was happy I could give them that comfort. Once they were both rinsed off and clean, I wrapped Paisley in a towel before lifting Hadley out.

Jace ~ Damn, I’m so sorry. You want me to have my mom come over and relieve you after she gets off work? Or I can get someone to cover me here. Me ~ Absolutely not. We’re totally good. They are watching a movie now, they’re bathed and clean and seem happy. I’ve got this. Jace ~ Thank you, Sunshine. My stomach fluttered at the use of that nickname again. I loved it. Me ~ Of course. How’s work? Jace ~ Well, we had two medical calls this morning and a small house fire. Mrs. Calco was baking cookies again and set the damn oven on fire. But I’m guessing my day was easier than yours.

Me ~ Oh my gosh. Dad must be having a field day. He thinks it should be illegal for that woman to cook. Jace ~ Yep. He had a few choice words for her husband. He told them to at the very least buy a new stove. And she gave me a plate of cookies to bring home to the girls. They were fucking charcoal on the outside. Me ~ I do believe Paisley would ask me to put you in timeout for that one. Jace ~ I think you’re the one in timeout being stuck with two sick babies.

Me ~ Again with the f-bombs. That’s another timeout for you, Mr. King. <smiley face emoji> Jace ~ Sorry. I’m running on no sleep. But any time you want to play teacher and put me in the corner, I’m game. My stomach dipped. Me ~ I wouldn’t mind bossing you around. But I doubt your stubborn ass would listen. Jace ~ I have a hunch I’d listen to anything you say, Sunshine. A timeout with you would be the best five minutes of my life.

He must be exhausted because he normally avoided flirting with me.

Jace ~ In another lifetime, Sunshine. Me ~ I’m not giving up on this one just yet. Jace ~ Can’t happen. And you’ve got the hockey player. I can’t compete with that. Me ~ Wouldn’t have struck you as a man afraid of a challenge.

Jace ~ I’m not. Just a man who’s trying to do the right thing. Me ~ Buzzkill. Jace ~ <laughing emoji> Me ~ Go take a nap. Jace ~ I love when you boss me around. Me ~ I could make it a habit if you want. <winky face emoji>

“She’s a good girl, that’s for sure. I called her a few times, and she said she had it handled. Looks like you got yourself a keeper. Those girls sure could use some consistency in their lives. God knows their own mother never provided that. Sorry, I know I’m not supposed to speak badly about her, but seeing as it’s just you and me on this call, you know I never did care for Karla.”