Fuck. I wasn’t strong enough to walk away—at least not when it came to her.

In two steps, I pulled her into my arms, engulfing her with my much larger body. At first, she was stiff as a hockey stick. I stroked her back and just let her be, and she relaxed into me. Her arms went around my neck, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, and once it had been. Great shuddering sobs racked her thin body, and she clung to me as if I were her lifeline. The Caro I’d known had been so strong, so independent. Seeing her broken like this wrecked me.

“Caro, I’m truly sorry. We can work this out. I’ll do it your way for now if only you’ll let me spend a little time with them. I want to get to know my kids.”

She blubbered into my shirt, and the wetness from her tears soaked through to my skin. I was sick with concern and worry. Right now, all I wanted to do was protect her, but from who? From me?

Finally, she gazed up at me, her eyes red and swollen, tracks of tears on her face. “I’m sorry. I’m so scared. So very scared. I feel all alone.”

“You’re not alone anymore. I’m here now.”

What the hell had I just committed to?

Chapter Thirteen

Show Me

~~Caroline~~

Why did I show weakness to a man who held all the cards while I held nothing but a joker?

I’d fallen into his arms too easily. Being surrounded by his big, strong body felt too right, too good, too dangerous. He was bigger than he had been as a teenager. His body was harder and more muscular. He’d matured into a very attractive man, and the woman in me was all in. Thank God my head was still in charge of my body, or so I hoped.

I had the kids to consider. They were my priority. Starting any kind of relationship with this man endangered that priority and muddied the waters, not to mention what it did for my sanity and their well-being.

I placed my hands on his chest and pushed him away. He backed off without protest but kept his fingers wrapped loosely around my arms.

He opened his mouth to say something, but Hailey burst into the room, followed, as usual, by her wingman, Heath.

“Mr. E, are you going to play a video game with us?” She stared up at him with big, wide eyes. My little girl was already drawn to this man, her father, and my throat clogged with an unexplainable emotion. I didn’t have a clue what it was I felt, but it was pleasant and unpleasant at the same time.

Easton glanced at me for permission.

“If you have time,” I said.

“I have time.” His grin was wide, reminding me of Heath’s last Christmas morning.

“Oh, good!” Hailey clapped her hands together and grabbed his big hand. She shot a glare at me, as if to say, Don’t you mess this up. She knew something was off about Easton being just a friend. Call it child’s intuition, but my perceptive little girl was suspicious.