Steele (Arizona Vengeance #9) - Sawyer Bennett Page 0,7

“That may be true, but no one will ever please you the way I can.”

I’m enjoying this little rift of matching wits, and I expect Ella to come up with a snappy retort that might make me kiss her again.

Instead, her expression saddens. “I wish I could be happy with that.”

My heart squeezes, and I lift a hand to palm the side of her neck. I wait until she meets my gaze. “We’re more than just sex, Ella. I just wanted to remind you of one thing we had that was incredibly good.”

Her eyes drop and she nods, admitting reluctantly. “I haven’t forgotten.”

When I squeeze her neck, she lifts her eyes. “But I also know you need and deserve more. As I said, I’m ready to prove that to you.”

Finally, something that seems to resonate. Ella jerks in surprise as if she suddenly understands my game.

Except it’s not a game. I love my wife, and I am going to get her back.

I lean in, pressing my lips to her forehead. “Remind Lucy to be ready at nine sharp in the morning.”

She doesn’t respond as I pivot and head through the living room, letting myself out the front door.

All in all, I think that went very well.

CHAPTER 2

Steele

Lucy answers the front door as soon as I knock on it—promptly at nine. She even smiles as she tosses her backpack over her shoulder, and I lean in to grab her rolling suitcase. She has a ton of stuff over at my house already, but she still insists on bringing more.

This bothers me, obviously, because it means she’s resolved that Ella and I aren’t getting back together. Of course, she’s never been given any reason to think otherwise.

I glance past her into the living room to part of the kitchen I can see. “Your mom around?”

“Nope,” Lucy replies, stepping past me onto the porch. “Out for a run.”

Interesting.

Two things are, to be exact.

First, I was actually feeling a little desperate to see Ella. I couldn’t stop thinking about that moment we shared in the kitchen yesterday, and while I didn’t expect any major conversation, I wanted to see her.

Second, I find it interesting she’s out on a run and not here to say good-bye to Lucy. I mean, she’ll only be gone for the day and evening with me, but Ella is always there to send her off with a kiss and an “I love you”. I can only surmise she said her goodbye’s earlier and went on a run to avoid me, which doesn’t bode well.

Whatever.

I’m determined, and that won’t dissuade me.

Once Lucy’s bags are in the Rover and she’s belted in the front seat, we take off.

“Want to get some waffles for breakfast?” I ask. It’s her favorite, and I wouldn’t turn my nose up at them either. I’m generally diligent about my diet and exercise routine because… hello, professional athlete. But I occasionally like to indulge. What better way to do it than with my daughter?

“Already ate,” she replies. I don’t detect any sulkiness in her tone, but I don’t quite trust I have happy-go-lucky Lucy today. I’ll have to see how it plays out.

I glance over as she stares out the windshield, one arm resting on the middle console so she’s leaning my way slightly. Everyone always says she looks like the perfect combination of Ella and me. She has Ella’s face… same nose, eyebrows, cheeks, and chin. The only part of me is her smile, which is slightly lopsided and has a dimple on one side.

As she is growing up and entering her teens, I hate noticing she’s starting to develop a body that’s definitely going to be like her mothers. Luckily for us, Lucy hasn’t reached a stage where she wants to wear ridiculous clothing liked cropped tops and shorts that barely cover her butt.

Not that it would do her any good to want those things, because Ella and I would be equally united in saying NO.

Where Lucy shines, though, is her personality, which is also a combination of Ella and me. She has Ella’s sunny disposition—unless she’s in one of her moods—and always sees the bright side of things. She’s caring and always looking to make others feel good.

From me, she gets her stubbornness—which can be a good quality at times—and a sharp sense of humor. Probably the thing I’m most proud of is her work ethic, but, truthfully, she gets that from both parents. She watches me hone myself for my job seven days a