Coveting Her - Bonus Scene
Meet Anna
"C'mon Daddy, c'mon." Anna climbed onto the bed and grabbed his cheeks. He'd never get used to her calling him that. He'd never get used to sleeping with boxers on either. Had the sexiest lady in the world. But he boxed up every night, cause of this little one. If the Roarers could see him now. But shit, they saw it every time his ladies came around. Anna and Grace had him wrapped around their fingers so tight, he couldn't make a fist. "Daddy, birthday bike. Birthday bike day." She cheered in her sing-song voice.
"Is that today?" He scratched his forehead. "I think it's next week."
She didn't take the bait. "No Daddy. Birthday bike day is today. You promised rainbow bike cuzz I'm four."
"Are you four? I think three." He scratched his head again. Sitting up and pulling her into his lap.
"No Daddy, four. See." She counted off her four round and pudgy fingers. Waving them like butterflies in his face until he kissed them. They were so tiny on his palm. They'd never get as big as his. But she was growing faster than the law allowed. Speeding through his life like she ran down halls. And he'd already missed so much. Slow down, dammit.
"Where's mommy?"
"She's making pancake cookies. Do you want some? They have sprinkles."
"Sprinkles, yuck." He grimaced, only half kidding. What had his life become? He'd always started his day with coffee strong enough to clean his bike. But he guessed today he would get pancake cookies. Who knew what the fuck that was. He grimaced again.
Her eyebrows crinkled together. "No Daddy, these are good. You want some?"
He planted a kiss between her brows smoothing the frown away. "Yes, princess. Four for your birthday."
Anna crushed her rainbow tutu crawling out of bed. Making sure to fluff it again before she ran to the door. Everything was high octane, high speed. Lord, how could he slow it all down to enjoy? "Walking feet." He reminded her, using Grace's favorite phrase and tone.
"Okay, Daddy." His heart dipped, again, when she called him daddy. Shaking his head when she took off running again. Her hand held the knob before she turned and ran back to the bed. Pulling him down to smack his lips and adding. "Love you, Daddy."
She ran away, and damn if she didn't yank his heart right out of his chest. Her quick words sucking the air out of his lungs. His eyes blinked several times because he was not gonna cry like a damn fucking wuss. But hell, shit and fuck. That little girl right there... It took him a minute and she was giving his pancake order to Grace. Before his voice croaked out, "Love you more."
