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Doc stands where I left him, a smirk planted on his handsome face, the dishcloth in his hand. “Roll your eyes again. I dare you.”

Arousal roars through me along with disbelief.

What has gotten into us?Eyeing him, I feel my cheeks flame more at my next thought.I know what I want to get into me.

It’s official—sex has turned me into a hussy.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Leonard

Exhaustion courses through my veins.

It’s eight o’clock, an hour past the time I was meant to be home. Shelby had been kind enough to collect Riley from school again, and I repay her by being late.

Opening the front door, I step in expecting to find a scene similar to yesterday—Riley content in her room, and Shelby puttering around the kitchen.

Instead, Shelby jumps up from where she’s waiting the minute I’m in sight.

“Hey, Doc. Lasagne and garlic bread are in the oven. Riley didn’t eat much and is in her room.”

I frown at her tone.

Apparently, I’m not the only grumpy one. Did she miss our new nightly routine last night?

Riley had woken up throughout the night. After the fourth time of her climbing in bed with me, I stopped putting her back into her own room.

I didn’t have the time to even think about sneaking into Shelby’s house, never mind the energy.

My daughter and I woke grumpy and irritable due to our lack of sleep. Shelby should have slept well, but maybe the lack of dopamine is affecting her mood.

“Thank you.” I smile, placing my briefcase beside the front door.

I barely finish the words, and Shelby has her jacket on, reaching for her sneakers.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” I murmur, reaching for her arm.

Closing her eyes, Shelby takes a deep breath. “It’s been a long day.”

“Me too,” I agree. Catching her chin, I turn her gaze to meet mine. “Thank you for the food.”

Shelby softens under my fingers. When she turns to me more, my blood boils.

“What the fuck happened to your face?”

Either the sharpness of my words or the fact I cursed causes Shelby to flinch.

Taking a steadying breath, I ask again, with a much softer tone. “What happened to your face, sweetheart?”

Her left hand lifts, as if covering the red mark can erase it from my memory.

“It was an accident,” she whispers.

My gaze follows when her eyes drift to the corridor that leads to the bedrooms.

“Riley?” I ask, shocked.

Absolutely fucking not.