AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The little girl's face fell. Laura hated to disappoint her, especially when she had been so responsible to think of Aidan. With a stricken look, Jeanie faced Aidan. “You’re not going to wear it?”
Laura looked towards Aidan. This was the sort of interaction she was interested in – the type that would reveal what kind of father he would be.
“Why, of course, I’m going to wear it.” Aidan bent down until he was at eye level with the little girl. “Thank you very much, young lady.”
Laura stared in shock. She’d wondered whether he would be kind or curt when he refused the cape. She never expected him to accept it! The sunshine returned to Jeanie’s eyes as she blinked at Aidan with newfound admiration. Laura’s heart stopped, as father and daughter shared a moment, completely unaware of their true connection. Their eyes were focused solely on each other, and she was sure, somewhere very deep down, they knew the truth.
“Well, let’s go then.” Laura donned her jacket, then looked to Aidan, gesturing to the pink fabric.
“Right then.” His voice was a little less confident. Carefully handling the feminine piece of cloth as if it could combust at any moment, he brought the costume around his broad, muscular shoulders. This time, Laura could not squelch a smile.
“Is something the matter?” His voice was completely serious, but humor danced in his expression.
“No, nothing at all,” she managed, trying to calm herself. “It’s just… well you look so… princessy.”
He narrowed his eyes, and she laughed again. “Okay group, time to go!”
Laura opened the door, and she and her daughter strode out. Aidan hesitated, obviously not pleased with the idea of going out in public. But then, with his head held high, he strode through the door. Jeanie, always anxious to go to the arcade, skipped ahead while Laura and Aidan strolled side by side behind. As they traveled, Aidan kept glancing to the left and right.
“Is something wrong?” Laura whispered. “If you want to show off your new look, we could knock on some doors…”
He turned to her, a dangerous glint in his eye. “Are you enjoying this?” he asked in a low voice.
She nodded, wearing a broad grin. “Immensely.” She didn’t want to tease him too much, since he had been extremely generous to wear it for the sake of her daughter. “I appreciate you doing this for Jeanie,” she said sincerely.
He glanced at the little girl, and his features softened. “When I saw the look in her eyes, I couldn’t say no. However, don't think your kind words will getyouoff the hook. Too little. Too late.”
She wasn’t worried. She was enjoying this little exchange. “Off the hook for what?” She placed as much innocence into her voice as she could muster. A little too much.
“For making fun of my… my…”
“Princess costume,” Laura suggested.
"No, my…"
"Fairy cape," she prompted.
His eyes narrowed. “Okay, fine, cape. Don’t think I’m not going to get you back.”
Heat streaked through her blood. “How do you plan to do that?”
“We have ways of dealing with such insolence.”
She gasped as he reached out and tickled her sides. Jeanie turned around, and seeing what fun they were having without her, raced back and commenced tickling her mother as well. With two against one, and everyone laughing hysterically, Laura finally begged for mercy. The tickling finally stopped, and the three continued on their walk.
For a moment, they were truly a family.
Aidan hadlittle experience with children, but it was easy to entertain the adorable little girl. One simply had to listen and she would talk up a storm, sharing tidbits of her day, life and little family. Some people thought children had nothing important to say, but he believed the opposite. It was amazing what you could learn when you looked at the world through those innocent eyes.
It also took so little to connect with the little sprite. When he showed appropriate enthusiasm to the baby ducks from the park, she became his friend for life. He was almost sorry when they arrived at the arcade.
“You can take the costume off now,” Jeanie suddenly said. She smiled at him, her blue eyes shining. “Mommy was right – it isn’t really your style.”
He smiled softly. Not only was the child sweet, but she was perceptive and considerate. “I appreciate you getting it for me,” he replied sincerely, taking off the pink crime against fashion. “That was very kind.”
Laura, however, was not done with the mischief. The little minx leaned in and whispered, “Mr. Bancroft, are you sure you don’t want to wear it. For me?” She batted her eyes playfully.
“Just wait until I get you alone,” he growled lowly so only she could hear. Satisfaction rose at her sweet blush. Was she replaying their lovemaking of earlier?
