Keeping Her - Jordan Marie Page 0,60

that I do, however, I never want her to doubt that she belongs with me and I want her there.

“But—”

“I’m going to be honest with you, Luke,” she says quietly. I look over her to see where Jasmine is. It seems that Kayden and Nicole have her attention, which means she’s not going to bail me out anytime soon.

“I’d appreciate that,” I respond, turning my attention back to Jasmine’s mother.

“I’m not sure how I feel about you dating my daughter—”

“We’re not dating, Ms. Blake. Jasmine is mine. I’m keeping her. Now, because Jasmine cares about you and her father, I’m hoping you will accept it, but I’m going to be honest with you, I don’t really give a damn. I know how special Jasmine is and I’m not willing to let her go.”

“Good Lord,” she sighs. She looks down at the floor and then slowly brings her gaze back up to me. “You sound like her father.” I shrug, because I’m not sure what I’m supposed to say to that. “I was so hoping she would find happiness in a normal life. She dated a cop once… Jacob wasn’t extremely happy about that, but I’m not sure he would be thrilled about her dating you—no offense.”

I grunt. Then, because apparently it needs repeating I add three small words. “We’re not dating.”

For some reason that makes her smile.

“In any event, my point is, Jacob loves kids. I gather from Bart’s response to you—”

“Bart?”

“B.B. Torch and Katie’s boy.”

I nod, having no idea who Torch and Katie are, but since I remember the guy who sized me up earlier, it’s neither here nor there.

“I’m guessing from Bart’s response to you that your club and theirs is not on great terms.” Since they’re not really, but if Ford gets his way, it will only get worse, I remain silent. “Right, I thought so,” she says, judging my silence successfully. “Daisy is a delightful child and sweet.”

“Thank you,” I respond, clearing my throat.

“I’m thinking if Jacob spends the night getting to know little Daisy, it might let him think twice when he hears that Jasmine is moving in with a man he doesn’t know, in a club that he doesn’t like, and a man who…”

“Who?”

“Who will probably give his daughter the kind of life that he never wanted for her.”

“I don’t understand.”

Carrie sighs. “My husband is a complicated man. He loves his club and the life we’ve built, but he wanted different for his kids. He wanted them to live a life where there wasn’t… consequences.”

She’s wording it nicely, but I get it. Nothing our club does is really by the book. We live by our own rules and we make those rules our laws. It’s different from the life outside of our club and sometimes there is blowback. I will bust my ass to protect Daisy and Jasmine, but the threat will always be there. I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t.

“You’re suggesting this to make him accept me…easier?” I ask, wanting her to explain it and make sure I’m on the same page as her.

“I am.”

“No offense, if you were hoping Jasmine would end up with a cop, why would you even try to make things easier for me?”

“Because I saw something in my girl tonight that I’ve never seen.”

“What’s that?” I ask, and I have to admit this is the first time in this whole conversation that I really want to hear her answer.

“She’s happy, Luke.”

I nod. “I plan on keeping her that way.”

“Then let Daisy stay. I promise you the only harm that might come to her is an overload of sugar,” she says with a smile.

I don’t know what I expected when I came here today. Hell, part of me thought I might die. After all, I showed up at a rival club’s property, personal home of the President—although I just found that out about an hour ago. Still, finding an ally in Red’s mom is surprising… I’m not about to turn it down.

“Daisy can stay. Jasmine and I can get her tomorrow.”

“I’m starting to think my daughter has finally made a good choice, Luke,” she says, then she walks off.

I’m left standing there wondering if I just got Jasmine’s mother’s approval.

Damn.

41

Grunt

“Harder, Luke, oh God, please,” Jasmine begs, her voice almost as sweet and addicting as her body.

Her fingers press against my ass as I’m pushing inside of her. Her legs bend, coming up as she does everything she can to bring me in deeper.

“How big does that dick