Page 22

I stopped myself from scrubbing a hand down my face. “You're late.”
Her glare faltered. “Late for what?”
“My scolding.” I reached forward, closing the front door behind her. “Come.”
I headed for the kitchen. It was set in the back of the first story of the house, farther away from the stairs, which meant Alice was less likely to wake up.
It was a good thing Luna hadn't woken her too, because I’d applied theyou break it you buy it ruleswhen it comes to Alice and her bedtime routine. If you wake up my sleeping kid, you're officially responsible for putting her back to bed.
“Can I get you something to drink?” I asked, back turned to her as I opened the fridge and pulled out another beer.
“I'll have tea.”
“Okay.” Not what I was expecting, but then again, I never knew what to expect when it came to Luna Marks. That's half her charm.
I opened cabinet after cabinet.
“Something wrong?” Luna asked, arms crossed as if ready to jump back into our verbal volleys.
I scrubbed a hand across my scruff. “I don't actually have tea.”
A hint of amusement crossed her face, disappearing so quickly, I’d almost thought I imagined it.
She dropped her hands to her sides. “What do you have? Decaf coffee? Sparkling water..?”
“Juice box?” I held one up. The green box with the little plastic straw fastened to the back.
This time the corner of her lips twitched. There was no doubt about it.
I ignored the seed of satisfaction that bloomed in my chest.
I went to put the juice box back in the fridge.
“Fine. If that's the best thing you have to offer, I'll take it.” Luna lunged forward, swiping it from my hand. Well, she tried to. She was fast. I was faster.
I lifted the box in an iron grip above my head.
Luna tried to reach for it, her chest brushing against mine before realizing it was futile. I had almost a foot on her. Especially since she’d left her heels at home.
Just when I thought she’d given up, she jumped again, her body coming flush against mine.
Fuck her nipples were hard.
I let go and the box fell to the floor. She didn’t catch it in time.
The box burst on impact, splashing juice everywhere.
We both froze as if a bomb had detonated. Then, breath held, we looked up as if waiting for the pitter patter of tiny feet.
“Daddy?” Alice called from upstairs.
“Shit,” Luna swore.
I dragged a hand across the top of my head, not ready to be done with Luna. To hash things out. To find some footing…
“Daddy, are you there?” Alice sounded scared this time.
Right now my baby girl came first.