then you say shit like that. It shouldn’t be sexy, but I’ll be damned if it didn’t make my dick jump. I think I might have a fetish. Want to experiment with me?”
She slapped his arm, the sting hurt her hand. “Ouch. What the heck you been doing, working out like the man of steel?”
“Let me kiss it and make it all better.” He waggled his eyebrows.
Palmer was having a hard time processing the sexy biker persona in front of her to the young man he’d been, with the man who joked with her about her speech in a sweet way. He was nothing like Thomas Kincaid, the jackass of man she’d been married to.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” Keys tipped her face up toward his.
Her heart clenched at his gentle tone. “I was thinking how different you were.”
He dropped his hand, turning away from her. “Yeah, I suppose I am. Not like your rich country boy you clearly married.”
The abrupt change in him froze her. “I meant that as a compliment, Keys.”
KEYS TURNED, HIS MOUTH opening to refute what she’d said, but the little boy chose that moment to cry. Good timing, kid.
“I need to check on a few things. Make yourselves at home. I’ll find out what’s going on with your credit cards and see if I can find out anything else.” He didn’t tell her he was going to see if all of her assets were frozen, but he had a sinking feeling they were.
“Keys, don’t be like that. I know I upset you and I’m sorry. Please don’t—just don’t.”
He turned back around, watching as a tear fell from her right eye. Son-of-a-bitch. Never should this woman ever cry, especially because of him. He was back in front of her in two strides, wiping the lone tear away, pulling her and the boy into his arms. They felt perfect within his embrace like they belonged there. If he had his way, that’s exactly where he’d have them. With him forever.
“You don’t owe me an apology, sassy girl.” He let out a frustrated sigh. “I hate the thought of you belonging to someone else. Knowing you chose another man, had a child with him. It’s like swallowing razor blades to me.”
“I didn’t though. I mean, yes, I married him. Thomas wasn’t my choice.” She took a deep breath, bouncing Jaxson on her hip when he fussed, but didn’t move from within his arms.
“Let’s get him something to eat then we can discuss what in tarnation you’re talking about.” He winked to let her know he was joking.
He helped her get Jaxson settled, watching the boy while she ran to the suite next to his to get a few items she needed. When she returned wearing a shirt and jeans, carrying a toy that looked as big as her, he wanted to spank her ass for not asking him to get it for her. “Dammit, woman, why didn’t you have me get that?”
He rushed to take the large circular thing with the toys dangling off of it.
“It’s really light, just awkward. Besides, I’m used to hauling all his things by myself.” She huffed out a breath, blowing the hair off her brow.
The words that were on the tip of his tongue stayed for the time being. They’d get to all that in due time. Instead he helped her put the thing she called an excersaucer down near the eating area of his suite. “Why the hell do babies need all this?”
He eyed the cute toys that were occupying Jaxson as the kid sat in the round apparatus, giggling each time he hit one of the dangling animals.
“Because they’re cute, educational, and so us mamas can have a moment of peace.” She leaned back in the comfortable chair nearest Jaxson.
Keys was sure she had no clue how sexy she looked, or that the front of her dress had baby food down one side, drawing his eyes to one very erect nipple.
“I can feel you staring at me. Ask your questions, Keys. I’ll answer them all to the best of my ability as honestly as possible. If there’s anything that makes me uncomfortable, I’ll let you know. I won’t lie, that’s a promise.” She turned, giving him a glimpse of her blue eyes.
He might not be a human lie detector like Traeger, but he was a pretty good judge of character. Plus, he’d always been able to read Palmer. He gave a nod. “Why don’t you start with your marriage. You said you