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Maybe Cooper’s words got to me more than I thought. Retreating in more than one way, I push up off the blanket. Leo quickly joins me.

“Hey,” he calls softly.

I hiss when his hand catches my arm, the skin under my sleeve sore from Cooper’s rough handling.

“I’m sorry,” he says, releasing me immediately, guilt and worry clear on his handsome face.

“It’s not your fault,” I reassure.

Leo cups my shoulders, his touch even more gentle than normal. Heat travels up my neck as his thumbs brush back and forth.

“I would never intentionally hurt you. I lied because it was necessary. I needed you to be ready. Ready for me, for us,” he corrects.

I know.

“Not even if I roll my eyes again?” I tease.

“Not even,” he swears, his voice serious.

We stare at each other for a few minutes before he places a sweet kiss on my forehead.

“What did he say, Shelby?”

“He was talking about you and Riley. He was being a dick, so I got mean, and he grabbed me.” I shrug.

Leo nods. “That’s unlike you, so whatever you said, I’m sure he deserved more.”

I give him a small smile.

Strong hands frame my face. “I’m sorry that he bothered you. I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

I open my mouth to ask how, but the words die beneath his lips. A moan escapes instead.

Stepping into him, I return the kiss. Quickly, we get lost in the taste of each other.

“Daddy?”

The little voice comes from close by, too close.

Ripping us apart, I shove Leo in the chest and step back. Looking down wide-eyed and panicked, I see Riley smiling.

“Hi, baby,” I greet too loudly.

Take it down a notch.

“You want me to play on the swings with you?” I try again more calmly.

The little girl looks between her father and me with a grin plastered to her face.

“No.” She shakes her head.

“Are you finished playing?” Doc asks.

“No.”

Leo and I share a look.

“You and Daddy stay here.” Stepping forward, she points at where we were just seconds ago. “Right here.” She points, not leaving until we both nod.