“If they knew what was good for them they would.”
“Well, whether such a miracle man exists or not is a moot point right now since I’m not in any kind of place where I’m ready to date anyone. In fact, for the next ten years, I’d rather just focus on making sure I raise well-adjusted, kind, and happy kids. I don’t want to introduce anyone in their lives who might hurt them in the end.”
Or who might hurt her in the end, she might as well have said. But he didn’t challenge her on it. It wasn’t like he had a lot of room to talk.
Daisy made a show of stretching before rising to her feet, looking like she needed to escape. “You know, I’m pretty tired. And if I want to be awake and actually functioning for our early morning, I should probably turn in.”
“Yeah. I’m ready to head in myself.” Holding the now empty beer bottle, he followed her in and shut the door behind them.
He tossed his bottle in the recycle bin as Daisy rinsed her glass, set it in the sink, and then turned around to the kitchen island to push the cork back into the wine bottle. Only as she pushed down, the bottom of the bottle slid out, sending it rolling loudly across the surface.
Instantly, they both dived for it, hoping to stop it before it careened to the floor. In doing so, their hands settled around the bottle, fingers overlapping. She froze, meeting his gaze as they listened a few seconds, holding their breath while they waited to see if anyone started to stir upstairs from the ruckus.
Nothing.
Whether it was relief from the near miss, or the sudden tension that had sprung between them, but Jack’s lip quivered as he fought back a bark of laughter that threatened to come out. Daisy struggled for a moment herself before they both gave in, laughing together as they realized how silly they must have looked, both hunched over and paralyzed even if temporarily.
“I have it, if you want to let go.”
“Have it?” she asked confused.
He looked down to where their hands were still connected to the bottle, her gaze following. Instantly, hers fell away, dropping to her side, and he set the wine on the counter, sliding it to the center where it couldn’t be at risk of being tipped.
She was still looking at him when he turned around, her eyes so dark and wide, seeming to reflect some of his own need, his own yearning for something he didn’t quite understand. She stood so close to him that he could smell the hint of citrus and soft femininity that wafted from her, something he suspected was equal parts bath oil and Daisy.
An urge to draw this woman to him became almost irresistible. It would have been the most natural thing in the world for him to caress his hands against her cheek, tilting her face up so he could taste those lips. Feel her respond under his touch.
But at the back of his mind, a warning light was flashing.
This is not in the plan.
And he never did anything, especially with the weight of his responsibilities on his shoulders, without weighing the impact those actions would have. Whether on his life, his daughter’s, his career, or even this woman and her family.
He took a step back, breaking the spell that had fallen over them.
Instantly, Daisy’s face flushed and she looked away.
“You should head up to bed. I’m going to check in with Officer Rogers and confirm what time the cars will be ready to take us to the park tomorrow.”
“Of course. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Even after she’d disappeared from his sight, Jack stood at the counter for a long moment.
That had been close. Too close.
Because as much as he’d wanted to give in to the urges that were sweeping over him when he was in this woman’s presence, he knew it would only complicate everything. Daisy was different, and it was precisely for that reason he needed to keep his head clear and not let his baser urges get in the way of doing what was right. What was necessary.
Even if it just might kill him in the process.
Chapter Eight
“You’re sure these things are safe?” Daisy asked, tugging on Natalie’s harness, trying to ensure it was on tight.
The idea of letting the kids climb the trees and zip through the sky had sounded nice in theory, but now they were here and looking up at the heights of the treetops, the foot bridges that soared above them, she was second-guessing her decision.
“Absolutely,” the young ranger said. He grabbed one of the belay devices to demonstrate. “These two hooks essentially work in tandem with the other. One must always be hooked to the line for the other to release.”
“This is going to be epic,” Paul said from behind her. “I can’t wait to tell Aiden that I got to climb around in the trees. I bet he never did that with his dad before.”