Total pages in book: 125
Estimated words: 121728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 487(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121728 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 487(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
Unfortunately, Decker was probably right. If the man had paid for sex with drugs, then it was better he wasn’t around an impressionable child.
“C’mon. Dinner’s probably getting cold. And I’m sure Finn is sick of Val screaming the alphabet in his ear. Then, if you have any other questions or concerns, we can address them after dinner and once I put Val to bed.”
She had plenty of questions and concerns, but none of them had to do with Val and all to do with the big, bearded “biker” with the deep voice who made her feel tiny next to him.
Chapter Nine
Decker loaded the last of the boxes into the bed of the Ford Ranger and shut the truck cap. They had emptied out Sloane’s motel room and she was currently delivering the key—an actual freaking key on one of those big plastic key rings—to the office.
She had more stuff stored in her parents’ shed but she said it was nothing she’d need right now.
Yesterday, he had emptied his bedroom closet and moved his clothes and shoes over to the spare room. He also removed most of his personal items out of his bathroom and put them in the one he’d be sharing with Val. He relocated his duty bag and police gear—all gathering dust since joining the task force—into the garage and out of the way.
He wasn’t thrilled about giving up his side of the house and moving into a smaller room and a shared bathroom, but he’d deal with it. Truthfully, he had no choice.
All during dinner, he had chewed on the offer he made to Sloane of his bedroom suite. Later that night, after he had Val tucked in bed and he walked Sloane out to her car, he found that his sacrifice had sweetened the deal enough for her to say yes.
Now two days later, she was about to become a temporary resident of the Decker household.
His mom was thrilled with the news since that meant she could now come to visit and leave as soon as she got tired.
Val was thrilled because Sloane was shiny and new. And most likely wouldn’t fall asleep and snore through Sesame Street like his mother did.
Feline Finn was oblivious. Except for Val, he didn’t care who was in the house unless they were filling his food bowl with kibble.
And as for him… Well, he was relieved to finally have someone around to keep an eye on Val when he wasn’t home. Someone who wouldn’t fall asleep from exhaustion while his four-year-old remained wide awake and able to get herself into trouble.
The only concern he now had about Sloane was the woman herself. Sitting across the dinner table and watching her interact with Val had…
Jesus, he didn’t know what it was.
Actually, he didn’t want to know.
Whatever thoughts popped in his head while she talked and joked and smiled across the table at him…
It made him realize she would be great with Val. But it also brought to light that having her around might not be so great for him. Because in that short amount of time, she had caught his attention by being not only beautiful, but articulate, mature and caring.
And, of course, sexy as fuck.
Her full lips. Her full curves. The delicate line of her neck. Her blue eyes that sparkled when she laughed. Even better, every time she laughed, it hadn’t been forced out of courtesy but was completely genuine.
While he stared across the table at her, he had a hard time concentrating on eating.
At first, he imagined her in his bed.
Then he ended up giving her his bed.
Without him in it, of course.
He had to remind himself that she would only be moving in to be Val’s caretaker. And he’d need to keep that at the forefront of his mind so he wouldn’t forget.
And slip.
He would not have an affair with the “nanny.” He did not want to be “that guy.”
It could make the dynamics of the arrangement messy. And if he fucked things up with her, he might lose her and have to scramble to find someone else.
This whole deal was supposed to be only about Val. That little girl was his priority.
So, if Sloane agreed with the arrangement, it needed to stay strictly quid pro quo. She’d live in his house and help with Val, and he’d keep an eye out for Sadie. He would also help Sloane’s sister get out of whatever situation she was in, when and if he found her.
After walking her out to her car after dinner that night, they stood at the curb with Sloane staring back at the house. She didn’t seem to be in any rush to get into her Honda and get away. “She’s great.”
Hearing that filled his chest with pride. Especially when he constantly worried about his parenting skills. His goal was to raise Val to be an upstanding and productive part of society. To be smart, kind and loving. He wanted her to be the best she could be, as well as grab the world by the balls.