Everything I Never Wanted

by K. Street

  “Of course not. We’ll find something fun to do.” I smiled at Shayne.

  Tucker threw his plate away and washed his hands at the kitchen sink. He turned to Shayne and spoke, “I’ll be right outside if you need me. Listen to Camryn, okay?”

  Shayne let out a yawn. “Okay, Daddy.”

  When Tucker walked out the door, I turned to Shayne. “Looks like it’s just me and you, kiddo.” I got up to throw my plate away.

  “I’m done,” she said, holding out her plate. “Can I have my cookie now?”

  She had eaten most of her food though not all of it.

  “Sure.” I discarded her trash and set the pile of fortune cookies in front of her. Her eyes widened, and I laughed. “You can pick one.”

  Shayne assessed the wrapped cellophane packages before choosing one. “Will you open it for me?”

  I did as she’d asked and handed it back to her.

  She broke it open and pulled out the slip of paper. “Um, I can’t read all of these words.”

  “You can read some of them?”

  “Yes. Grammy bought me flash cards, and Daddy teaches me big words when we read. It’s in the rules.” She’d said it like there was a list.

  This was the second time she’d mentioned the rules, so I asked, “What rules?”

  “Mom rules.”

  I didn’t want to press her further, but my curiosity was piqued.

  “So, are you going to read it to me?”

  I took the slip of paper from her and read, “In life, the little things are the big things.”

  Confusion played over her little features. “What does that even mean?”

  “It means that little things are what really matter. Not fancy houses or fast cars, but the way wildflowers smell and hugs and kisses and making memories.”

  “And bedtime stories?”

  “Definitely bedtime stories. And dancing in the rain.”

  “That sounds fun. Daddy never lets me dance in the rain. He says, ‘Bug, lightning is dangerous.’” She did that thing with her voice again to mimic Tucker’s.

  I laughed because it never got old. “How about we clean up the kitchen and put away the food? Then, we’ll find something fun to do.”

  “Okay, but I’m stuck.”

  I realized she was right. I went over to her, pulled out the barstool, and helped her leap down. Together, we restored order in the kitchen, and then I took her into the bathroom. I opened the drawer that housed my collection of nail polish.

  Shayne’s eyes went wide. “Wow! It looks like a rainbow threw up in there.”

  “It sure does.” I laughed. “Pick out whatever color you want.” While she did that, I opened another drawer, applied some lip balm, and dropped it back inside.

  “Can I pick two colors? Then, we can make a pattern. And what about my toes? Can we paint those, too?”

  “Sure.”

  “Yes!” She made a fist and punched the air. “This is going to be so fun.”

  Shayne picked out her polish while I gathered the nail file, cotton balls, and polish remover. I turned on the warm water and grabbed a washcloth from the linen closet, dampening it. I squeezed out the excess and gave it to Shayne.

  “What’s this for?” she asked.

  “To wipe off your hands and feet.”

  “Good idea.”

  We made our way back to the living room, and I set our supplies on the chest that served as a makeshift coffee table. After I grabbed a few paper towels and a paper plate from the kitchen, I returned to the couch.

  I took the polish from Shayne’s hands, setting them aside, and then I reached for her hand. I wiped one and then the other before I helped her out of her boots and repeated the process with her feet.

  “That tickles,” she shrieked and wiggled her toes.

  “My feet are ticklish, too.” I smiled. “Are you ready?”

  “Yes. Can we do my toes first?”

  “Of course. What color do you want to start with?”

  “Um … blue.”

  Her excitement over something so simple made me think of what it would be like to have a daughter of my own.

  Shayne leaned back against the arm of the couch, and I gently tugged her foot toward me, propping it up on my leg. After I tore a few cotton balls into smaller pieces, I rolled them and placed the soft material between her toes to separate them.

  With the bottle held securely in my hand, I twisted off the cap. “Hold real still, okay?”

  “I will. Grammy paints my nails sometimes. I have to be a statue.” She was quiet for a few minutes before she asked, “Did your mommy paint your nails?”

  Her innocent question caused a deep ache in my chest. I never thought about my mother much. A woman who had abandoned her family because she didn’t want to be a mom or wife anymore didn’t deserve consideration.

  “I didn’t have a mommy.”

  “But everybody has a mommy. Even me. Except she died when I was really little.”

  “I’m sorry, sweet girl.”

  “It’s okay. I don’t remember her. Daddy shows me pictures though and tells me stories about her. They were best friends.”

  I wasn’t sure how Tucker would feel about her telling me the intimate details of their lives, but she was five, and a lot of times, kids didn’t have filters.

  I didn’t know what to say, so I told her the truth. “My mom left when I was a little girl.”

  “Your mommy died, too?”

  “No,” I answered while I reached for her other foot and more pieces of cotton. “She decided she didn’t want to be a mommy anymore, so she left me with my dad and never came back.”

  Shayne’s eyes filled with sadness, and she sat up a little. Her small hand touched my arm. “Camryn, I’m sorry your mommy didn’t want you.”

  Her words hit me straight in the heart. The truth still hurt.

  “It’s okay, Shayne,” I assured her. “I had my Nonna.”

  “What’s a Nonna?”

  “Nonna is what I called my grandma.”

  “I get it. You had Nonna like I have Grammy.”

  “Exactly.”

  “What happen to your Nonna?”

  I’d had enough talk of death and loss. Our game of twenty questions had taken a turn, and I was desperate to change the subject.

  “What do you think?” I held her feet up a tiny bit.

  “They look so cool.”

  “I’m glad you like them. Ready for your fingers?”

  I slid her feet off my lap, and she moved closer to me. Her toes grazed the table.

  “Oh, man. I jacked my polish.”

  “Jacked?” I laughed. She sounded like an adult in a kid’s body.

  “Yep. That’s what Daddy says when something gets messed up. Can you fix it?”

  “I sure can. Want to give me that bottle right there?” I pointed to the acetone.

  She leaned forward, grabbed the bottle with both hands, and then gave it to me. I twisted off the cap and dampened a cotton ball. Then, I wiped the polish off her big toe and repainted it.

  “There.” I placed the soiled cotton on the paper plate and started on her fingernails.

  “Thank you for fixing it.”

  “You’re welcome. You’re so polite.”

  “Daddy says I have to have manners. It’s in the rules, too.”

  While I painted her fingernails, I made certain to steer the conversation toward lighter topics. Since she had to sit still while we waited for her nails to dry, she asked me if I’d read her a story. I went to my bedroom to grab The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe off my shelf and carried it back into the living room.

  I sat on the end of the couch and opened the book, and when Shayne nestled into my side, I put my arm around her and began to read. I was so wrapped up in the story, I hadn’t noticed that Shayne had fallen asleep. Or that Tucker was standing in the doorway, watching me.

  13

  Tucker

  Camryn’s car was being a pain in my ass
, but it wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle. However, the blood that dripped down my hand didn’t help matters. I grabbed a shop towel, wrapped it over the gash, and then opened Camryn’s front door.

  Camryn was reading while my little girl was curled into her side, sleeping peacefully. The sight nearly took my breath away. I knew the minute Camryn felt my eyes on her. Her gaze lifted, and then her eyes went wide.

  “What did you do?” she whispered and gestured to my hand.

  “Nothing. It’s just a little scratch.” I closed the door behind me.

  Carefully, she lifted Shayne from against her, so she could get up. She slipped a small pillow in place and then gently laid Shayne’s head on it before walking over to me.

  She reached for me and unwrapped the thick paper towel to inspect it before covering it back. There was a good two-inch gash on top of my hand, just below my knuckles.

  “Just a scratch, my ass. Come on, I’ll get you cleaned up.”

  I followed her down the hall and to the bathroom.

  She stepped out of the way, so I could enter.

  “Wash your hands.”

  I unwrapped the soiled cloth and placed it in the wastebasket. Then, I turned on the water and squirted some antibacterial soap into my palms.

  Camryn opened the small closet, withdrew a clean towel, and set it on the sink. She took my hand and held it under the stream of water. Her delicate fingers moved tenderly over my skin, angling the wound to remove the dirt. Normally, I wiped the blood on my jeans and kept going, but I knew this cut was deep enough to at least warrant washing. Still, I wouldn’t have gone to the trouble to be so thorough. I didn’t stop her because I liked the feel of her hands on me. Enjoyed the way she made a fuss. It had been a long time since someone did that for me.

  Camryn’s eyes met mine as she shut off the water and reached for the towel to wrap over my hand. Tenderly, she patted it dry. She was close. Close enough that I breathed in her orange blossom and honey scent.

  I wanted to touch her. Brush my lips against her mouth. She made me want to break all my self-imposed rules. All those reasons I’d had the other night to push her away didn’t seem so valid anymore.

  The air between us grew thick, and I found myself leaning in. Her pupils widened at my close proximity.

  “You need a bandage,” she uttered.

  “I’m fine,” I whispered. But I wasn’t. In fact, I was the furthest thing from it, and it didn’t have a damn thing to do with the gash on my hand.

  “Tucker.” Her voice quaked, and she took half a step back. “I’m the nurse, and I say you need one, so go sit down.” She pointed to the toilet seat.

  Just this once, I decided to humor her. Slowly, I lowered the lid to keep it from slamming, and then I planted my ass on it. My eyes remained on Camryn, tracking her every movement.

  She bent over to get something from under the sink, and my mind went to all the positions I wanted to take her in.

  Camryn returned with the first aid kit, set it on the counter, and flipped the latch open. She withdrew a roll of gauze, medical tape, and butterfly strips. I intently watched her, enjoying the tender way she touched me, and I craved more.

  When she finished, Camryn inspected her work. “There. You’re good as new.”

  If only that were the case. I wanted her more than my next breath.

  She took a step, but I reached out for her. Clasped the fingers of my injured hand over her wrist. The hold strained the adhesive strips beneath the bandage.

  “Tucker,” she whispered, “what are you doing?”

  I stood and drew her body closer. Her perfect pink lips begged to be kissed. The hold on my self-control stretched taut. A small moan escaped her throat. That sexy fucking sound snapped the last bit of my restraint.

  One arm went around Camryn’s waist while my other hand went to the back of her head. My thumb skated over her jawline, down her neck, and back again.

  “For days, all I’ve thought about is you.” I trailed my thumb over her bottom lip. “Tasting you. Breathing in your scent. Fisting your gorgeous, dark hair in my fingers while I rained kisses against your skin.” My thumb dipped under her chin, angled her face a fraction. I leaned in and scraped my soft beard on her cheek.

  Voice low, I spoke against the shell of her ear, “If you don’t have any objections … I’m going to kiss the hell out of you.”

  Her breath hitched, and I didn’t have to wait long for her reply.

  The single word came out as a plea. “Yes.”

  One hand rested at the base of her skull, her hair fisted in my other. My head dipped low to the curve where her neck and shoulder met, and my teeth nipped the sensitive skin. That one touch had Camryn’s hands planted on either side of my rib cage. Slowly, I kissed my way toward her earlobe, captured it between my lips, and sucked.

  “Tucker,” she hissed. Slender fingers gripped my shirt. “Mmm.”

  My hand still planted on her waist journeyed upward. My lips moved over her jawbone to the corner of her mouth. I cupped her face between my palms, and my lips brushed against hers. Once. Then, twice. I tugged her bottom lip into my mouth and tilted her head just slightly.

  Camryn pressed her body into me. My cock stiffened. God, I wanted her. My tongue darted out, seeking entrance, and when her lips parted, I delved inside. She tasted sweet, like vanilla and mint.

  There was no fight for control. Camryn’s body language spoke volumes … she trusted me.

  I kissed her long and deep until we were both breathless. Until the demand for oxygen could no longer be ignored. I wasn’t ready to let her go. My hands stayed where they were, and I brought my forehead to hers.

  We were panting breaths and racing hearts.

  “Holy shit,” she muttered.

  Overtaken by the need to see her face, I took a step back and studied her. All glassy-eyed and dazed. “You okay?” I asked, amused.

  “Don’t move. Not yet.” Her head dropped to my chest, and I wrapped my arms around her.

  There wasn’t any place else I wanted to be. Several long minutes passed before we left the bathroom.

  Sweat beaded and then rolled down my back as I finished tightening up the alternator. Once the spark plugs, wires, and distributor cap were in place, I cleaned up the mess and put my tools away. Afterward, I went inside to inform Camryn I needed to take her car out for a test drive to make sure everything was in working order. Shayne was still asleep. Since I wasn’t going far, I let her be.

  About fifteen minutes later, I walked back into Camryn’s house, keys in hand.

  “You’re all set,” I said as I walked through the door.

  Shayne and Camryn were sitting in the living room, surrounded by girlie shit.

  “What do you want me to do with these?” The metal clanked together as I wiggled the key ring.

  “Daddy,” she squealed as she leaped up from her spot and barreled into me.

  I lifted her into my arms for a hug.

  Camryn held out her hand, so I set them in her palm and forced myself not to linger.

  “Ew. Daddy, you’re all sweaty.” She held her nose. “And smelly, too,” she added.

  I set her on the floor and watched as she climbed back onto the couch.

  “We have to do your other foot now,” Shayne told her.

  Camryn leaned back and placed her foot in Shayne’s lap.

  “Look,” she said and held up her foot. “Camryn painted my toenails, and now, I get to paint hers.”

  She glanced at me and winked. “Thanks for taking care of Lucille.”

  I didn’t miss the way she’d licked her lips. “You’re welcome.”

  Shayne wasn’t paying attention, but Camryn’s eyes held mine. I rubbed my thumb across my bottom lip and gave her a wink. My reward was the smile she sent my way.

  “Bug, we really need to go. I have to take a shower.”

  “Ah, but I’m not done.” Shayne pushed out her lower lip.

  My mouth opened to tell her she cou
ld finish later, but Camryn stopped me.

  “We’re having fun. Why don’t you run home to shower, and she can stay here? Dinner should be ready when you get back.”

  “Please, Daddy. I promise I’ll be good.” She smiled the way she did when she wanted to get her way.

  “You sure?” I asked Camryn. “I’ll be back in fifteen minutes. Twenty, tops.”

  “Go. She’ll be fine.”

  I nodded and strode out the door.

  As I stood beneath the hot spray, my thoughts kept going back to Camryn and that kiss. She had been soft, pliable beneath my touch. I could easily become addicted to those lips. She was sexy, smart, funny, and a dozen other things I found attractive.

  Seeing her with Bug today tugged at something in the deepest part of me. Camryn was so good with her. There didn’t seem to be a selfish bone in her body. Some days, I wondered what it would be like to have the love of a woman who accepted the both of us. To wake up, wrapped in the arms of the same woman I’d sunk into the night before. And I wanted to sink into Camryn. I wanted to fucking drown in her. Her scent. Her taste.

  My dick was so hard, it was painful. I drew on the memory of the kiss and began to stroke myself. Fantasies of Camryn’s body sprawled beneath me. Her lips around my dick. My head between her legs. I gripped tighter. My hand moved faster.

  “Fuuuck,” I roared and planted my injured hand on the ceramic to brace myself as the release took hold.

  Hot cum shot onto the shower tiles as the climax tore through me, all the tension unraveled.

  After finishing up in the shower, I tossed the wet bandage and dressed. My stomach growled, reminding me it’d been a long time since lunch, so I headed next door.

  14

  Camryn

  A knock sounded on the front door, and since I was certain it was Tucker, I let Shayne answer it. Absently, I traced a finger over my lips. Hours later, that kiss still had me reeling.

  “Hi, Daddy.” Shayne’s excited voice pulled me from my thoughts.

  “Hey, Bug. Did you behave?” He bent to lift her into his arms.

  “Of course.”