Page 52 of His Surrender

“It isn’t nothing.” His tone is gentle but firm. “You shouldn’t be spending your own money on my daughter.”

“I don’t mind.”

“I do.” He runs a hand through his damp hair, clearly irritated with himself. “I can’t believe I overlooked that.”

“You’ve had a lot on your mind.”

“Still”—he shakes his head— “anything Liana needs is my responsibility.”

“I know.”

“No.” He meets my eyes. “I mean it.”

He nods toward the dress. “I appreciate this more than you know.”

His gaze drops to Liana again, a smile returning as she grabs one of his fingers.

“But I want to reimburse you.”

“You really don’t have to.”

“I really do.” The corner of his mouth lifts. “And first thing Monday morning, my assistant Brady will be getting you a credit card.”

“A credit card?”

“For diapers, formula, clothes”—he glances at the tiny pumpkins stitched across Liana’s skirt and smiles again—“or any other adorable outfit you decide she absolutely has to have.”

A laugh escapes me. “So, I have permission to spoil her?”

Dean looks down at his daughter.

“I have a feeling,” he says with a grin, “that’s a battle I’ve already lost.”

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

DEAN

The noise of the elevator sounds exactly at six.

Of course it does. Lincoln has never been late for anything a day in his life.

I glance down at Liana sleeping peacefully against my chest before walking over to the foyer to meet them.

As the doors slide open, Lincoln stands there with his wife, Kylie, next to him.

“You know,” Lincoln says as his eyes drift to the tiny baby in my arms, “I spent this entire drive convinced Sawyer was screwing with us.”

Kylie elbows him.

“Hi to you too,” I answer.

He grins. “Hi.”

Kylie’s smile immediately softens as she steps closer.

“Oh my gosh …” She presses a hand to her chest. “She’s beautiful.”

Liana opens one sleepy blue eye before deciding she’d rather keep napping.