by Jacie Lennon
When we don’t move, he finally looks up and levels a glare at his dad before rolling his hand in the air. “Well, come on. We don’t have all night.”
“Well, shit. I’m fucked.” Brock runs a hand down his face as he stares at the blanket-wrapped baby in my arms.
I can’t drag my eyes away to even look at him, the nose and eyes and even little rosebud mouth keeping me captivated.
“I can’t have a girl. I’ll never survive.”
“You’ll be fine,” I say with a laugh that makes her wiggle around.
She peeks her eyes open for a second before yawning and closing them again.
“I was so sure it would be a boy.”
“There’s no difference,” I say, looking up at where he’s pacing back and forth beside my bed. “Sit down. Do you want to hold her?”
“Yes. No. Don’t give her to me. Yes, I want to hold her,” he says before dragging the uncomfortable-looking recliner from the corner of the room beside where I’m lying.
I lean over and place her in his arms. She looks incredibly tiny, cradled against his chest, and if I hadn’t just had a baby, my ovaries would be exploding all over again. He stares down at her while I watch them, a smile on my face and a pain in my chest. I rub one hand over it, realizing that my world will never be the same. This baby has become my everything, and I love her so much that it hurts.
“Hi, little Rylie,” Brock says, barely above a whisper.
She smiles in her sleep, and he grins, looking up at me. A happy tear runs down my cheek, and I reach up to wipe it away.
“I’m your daddy.”
She stretches, one tiny hand breaking free from her blanket, flailing in the air until Brock reaches up, one finger extended for her to grab on to.
“God, you’re beautiful. But I wouldn’t expect any less. You should see your mom. She’s a MILF.”
“Brock,” I chastise with a laugh. “You can’t say that to a baby.”
“She doesn’t know what it means. Besides, you are.” He rakes his gaze over me, and even though I’m a hot, sweaty, just had a baby mess, he looks appreciative. “Anyway, this is our conversation.” He turns his attention back to Rylie.
I watch him whisper to her for a while, unable to look away until my eyes grow heavy. I lean back against my pillows and close them, vowing only to shut them for a second.
I wake up to a baby fussing and look over to see Brock trying to change her diaper at the small changing station in our room.
“I know. Shh. You are going to wake up your mom, and then she will know that I don’t know how to change a diaper. You don’t want to make me look like I have no game, right? Obviously, I have game since you are here, but if you want to know a secret, I didn’t have to try very hard to get her. She was wowed by my charm and good looks and practically threw herself at me. I can’t blame her. I am a catch.” He finally manages to get a diaper under her butt and closed on her before any accidents happen while talking to her the entire time.
Rylie blinks her large blue eyes up at him, settling down as he continues to talk, “There we go. Easy. I knew this would be a simple gig.”
She kicks one leg, and part of the diaper pops open.
“Damn it. I mean, darn it. I’ll have to get used to that. But maybe I should stick with damn it. I don’t want to sound fake. You should always be yourself, right?”
Rylie yawns wide and sticks her fist in her mouth as Brock gets the diaper fastened again, and then he goes to work on the clasps of her onesie.
“You want the boobies, don’t you? I don’t blame you. I want them too. I guess I’ll share with you for the time being, but you’ll have to give them back. They were mine first.”
I stifle a giggle at the turn in conversation. I’m not sure I’ll get used to this version of Brock. He’s completely smitten, and I think I’m going to have a hard time drawing him away from Rylie.
Brock gently picks her up and puts her on his shoulder as he grabs the blanket to lay over her back, tucking it around her. He turns to walk back to the chair, pausing as he meets my eyes.
“How much of that did you overhear?” He narrows his eyes at me, and I laugh again, not answering. “I think she’s hungry.”
I reach my arms out as he walks over, laying her in my outstretched arms. I hold her close, and she immediately nuzzles into my chest.
He leans down to kiss her chubby cheek, whispering, “I love you,” before leaning up to plant a kiss on my lips.
He pushes one hand into my hair, bringing us together before rocking his head up, our foreheads touching.
“I love her mom, too,” he says, and I gasp, not expecting that from him, but he flicks his eyes up, holding my gaze.
“And I love her dad,” I say, smiling wide until Rylie shrieks, letting me know she doesn’t care anything about this sweet moment. She only wants to eat.
We break apart with a laugh, but I feel warm all over. My heart is too big for my chest now, swollen with all the love I have for my daughter, her dad, and my new family.
“Want me to bring in the crew?” Brock asks as soon as I’m done feeding Rylie.
“Bring them in. Bodhi already called first dibs on holding her,” I say with a laugh while Brock rolls his eyes.
“We should make him wait until last,” he mutters, making his way to the door.
“Hey,” I say. He stops and looks over his shoulder. “I love you.”
His smile matches mine, and I know I’ve found my place and my people. Our little family of three is perfect.
THE END
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To My Wonderful Readers
Thank you so much for reading King of Regret!
Brock was interesting to write as I felt he needed to be redeemed for his actions in book 1 toward Landry.
I hope you see now that he was only trying to protect what he considered his (family) and once you are a part of his crew (as Peyton became), he’s loyal to a fault!
I hope you stick around to see what happens with Bodhi and Trixie in book 3, all the feels are coming!
XO, Jacie
Acknowledgments
I always get to this part of the publishing process and my brain short circuits. I feel like there is no way to thank all those involved in making my dreams come true.
First, I want to thank my husband. He’s my biggest cheerleader and the one who tells me to chase my dreams, here I am, doing it!
My kiddos aren’t really cheering me on (they are 2 and 3 and don’t know that I write) but I love their encouraging hugs and kisses they give me when I need them most!
I want to thank my indie tribe. The incredible authors I’ve met along the way. The encouragement and inspiration I get from you (you know who you are) on a daily basis gets me through some of my hardest writing challenges.
My wonderful editor, Jovana who takes my hot mess of a manuscript and transforms it with whatever voodoo magic she has. I can’t imagine putting out a book without her!
To my readers! The reason us authors write. I hope that my words take you to a new world and let you escape for a few hours! I’m so thankful for each and every one of you.
To Michelle, Thomas and Marisa…this cover is everything I could ever dream of and you three made it happen.
To everyone else I haven’t mentioned, you are awesome and incredible and I’m so so thankful for YOU.
Love you babes!
XO,
Jacie
About the Author
Jacie Lennon is a stay-at-home mom whose guilty pleasure is writing romance. She lives with her husband and two kids. Her home is fiercely protected by a basset hound, a Cavalier King Charles spaniel, and a tabby cat. When she’s not writing, she’s reading, playing with her kids, or devouring an entire container of Oreo Thins in one day.
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Also by Jacie Lennon
Slow Burn Series
Burning Love
Love Ignited
Simmering Love
Clarissa Cove Series
An Alpaca for Christmas
Boys of Almadale Series
King of Nothing
King of Regret
KOD - Bodhi’s story coming early 2021
Standalones
Under Construction in Bora Bora - Coming November 19, 2020
Heartful (A KB Worlds Novel) - Coming April 2021