by JB Heller
He cleared his throat, “I’m Axel, and these are my nieces, Tessie, Anna, and Gracie.”
Oh, his nieces, not his daughters. I licked my lips, “Umm, they’re beautiful. She really wasn’t bothering me. She can help me pick a book if she wants, I don’t mind.”
Axel raised a brow when Tessie suddenly jumped up and scurried back over to me. “Where’s the loyalty?” he muttered.
I looked down to hide my smile. He seemed genuinely offended by her abandonment. Tessie ran her hand through my hair again and began playing with the strands that hung down my back. She sighed contentedly, “So pwitty.”
Smoothing my hand over her tiny blonde ponytail I told her, “I like your hair too.”
She beamed back at me and nodded, “Yep, I pwitty too. Like Mummy.” I snickered at her reply, then went back to looking at the shelf for a book, but I couldn’t concentrate. I could feel his eyes on me and when I glanced back over my shoulder, he smiled at me. My cheeks flamed when he didn’t even try to pretend he wasn’t staring at me.
“What’s your name?” he asked.
I didn’t answer, I just gave him a blank look, because really, why does he need to know my name? I don’t tell strangers my name, and even though he was the hottest man I had ever laid eyes on, he was still a stranger.
Tessie squealed then, stealing my focus, “My fabwit!” She was clutching a nursery rhyme book in her tiny hands.
“Can I see?” I asked and she handed me the book, “Oh, I like this one too. Do you think I should read this one for Story Corner today?” She nodded enthusiastically, her little ponytail bobbing up and down. “Would you like to stay for it?” I glanced at my watch, “It starts in about twenty minutes, the other kids will be arriving soon.”
Her eyes widened, then she swung her head back around towards Axel, “Pweeese, Axsol!!!!”
The two in his lap started clapping, and he rolled his eyes before narrowing them at me. I balked, what did I do?
“Why go to the trouble of making sure I stick around if you’re not going to even tell me your name?”
My jaw dropped, “I, wha?” He’s crazy. “I wasn’t trying to make you stay.”
He raised a single brow, “Really? Why’d you ask Tessie if she wanted to stay then?”
I didn’t even have to think about it, “Because she’s adorable.”
“We’re a package deal. You get that right? If she stays, I stay.”
I started feeling defensive, he was baiting me, and I didn’t appreciate it. “I’m not stupid, I realise that. But I didn’t give you a thought when I offered for her to stay for Story Corner.” I almost sneered.
His grin spread across his gorgeous face, “Right, that’s why your cheeks turn pink every time you glance my way.”
Hmph, pompous arsehole. “I wasn’t looking at you, I was looking at the children. I should have known you couldn’t possibly be their father, they’re much too adorable to be yours.” I crossed my arms over my chest and glared at him.
“Pl-ease,” he rolled his eyes. “I could totally be their baby daddy.”
I frowned at his choice of words. And he suddenly realised just how it sounded, “Fuck, no, that’s not what I meant.”
Tessie’s other half gasped and whacked his chest, “Dat’s bad word!” she exclaimed then held her palm out to him. He grumbled something under his breath and shuffled around fishing a gold coin out of his pocket and placed it in her upturned palm. Her fingers wrapped around the coin and she grinned at her sister, who was still plastered by my side.
Axel cleared his throat and tried again, “What I meant to say is that I could definitely be their dad. I would make beautiful babies.”
Ain’t that the truth, I thought to myself, but kept silent. By this time a couple of other parents had begun trickling into the area with their children. I stood up straight and looked down to Tessie, “Would you like to sit with me while I read today?”
“Yes, pweese.” She reached up taking my hand and walking with me to the patchwork armchair and climbed up into my lap when I sat. I sent Axel a triumphant look, then opened the book and began to read.
Continue Reading on http://amzn.to/2egDhh6
About the Author
JB Heller is an average Aussie housewife and Mumma in her early 30’s with a wicked sexy imagination.
She writes both romantic suspense and contemporary romance with a healthy splash of heat, intrigue and wit. You'll love her sinfully sexy alpha hero's and their feisty counterparts.
Monday to Friday you can find JB glued to her laptop weaving words or trolling Pinterest for her next potential muse. Come the weekend, it's family time. (And of course lots of reading and Netflix binges.)
Don’t forget to join JB’s facebook group for the most up to date information, giveaways and exclusive sneak peaks.
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Also by JB Heller
ATTRACTION SERIES
(Romantic Suspense Completed Series)
Undeniable Attraction
Pure Attraction
Fierce Attraction
Morgan Sisters Duo (Prequel)
ALPHA ONE PROTECTION SERIES
(Romantic Suspense-Sexy Bodyguards
Interconnecting Standalone Novels)
Worth The Risk
Worth The Wait
Worth The Fall -coming 2019
MOMENTS DUO
(Contemporary Coming of Age Romance)
Moments of Beauty
Moments of Clarity
VIPERS DEN NOVELLA SERIES
(Comedic Romance)
Piper and Kade
Pixie and Jake
Tay and Nate
STANDALONES
What If It’s Right?
(Not your average cougar romance)
Pink Bits -coming 2019