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She blinked at me. “You don’t know me.”
“You’re my daughter.”
“But—”
“No buts,” I said. “I hope you’ll let me get to know you. Even if you don’t, nothing will change how I feel.”
I wasn’t the same man I’d been only a few short days ago. Something about being a father had fundamentally changed me. I hoped to grow into the role. To be a man she was proud of.
She hugged me again and kissed my cheek. “I’m going to move my things to my new briefcase.”
She moved to pick up the wrapping paper, but I put a hand on her shoulder. “We’ll get that.”
“Okay. Good night, Kane.” She flashed me the sweetest smile before hugging JoJo. “Night, Mom.”
“Sweet dreams, sweetheart.” JoJo watched our daughter disappear to her room.
I picked up the discarded wrapping and stuck the bow on her head. Her features were relaxed. She was content and happy.
Is this what our life could be?
She slid an arm around my waist, those beautiful green-gold eyes luminous as she looked up at me. “You make it easy to admit I’m wrong.”
“I’m not one of those men who gets off on being right all the time.”
She lifted a skeptical brow. “I’m not sure you’ve really heard me. I completely misjudged you, Mr. Zegas.” She tapped my heart. “You tried to show me this when you rescued me, but I was too blind to see it.”
I believed her.
And I didn’t want her words to affect me, but they did.
“You wouldn’t be so quick to say that if you knew what I’d been thinking over at Whitley’s tonight.” I balled the paper in my fist.
Her hands were warm on my back, somehow soothing and intensifying at once.
“You were angry when you looked at those young children. And rightly so.”
“I’m not sureangryis a strong enough word.” I shook my head. “Until a few days ago, I didn’t even think I wanted kids, and now I’m pissed that I didn’t see every drool Penelope had.”
My blood turned from calm to a simmer.
“And I resent that you were there for everything,” I continued.
She recoiled, but there was understanding on her face. Except she couldn’t understand.
“There’s nothing I can say to change the past. I wish I could, but I can’t.” And then there was pain in her expression.
It cracked me wide open. “It hurts to look at you.”
She held me closer. I had both the urge to push her away and pull her so close that there was no space between us.
“I’ve spent my life fighting for other people.” Her voice was low, but certain. “I never think much about myself, and that’s the way I prefer it.” She yanked me so that our bodies were flush. “But it’s time to be selfish. To fight for me. For what I want.” There was a determined set to her jaw. “And lucky you, Kane Zegas. You’re my person. I won’t stop until you’re mine.”
CHAPTERTWENTY-NINE
JOJO
Silence.
