“Because that’s what I told them.”

“And they just believed you?” I felt as if I was sold to the highest bidder.

“I told you… they want us back together… even if we don’t.”

“They are being ridiculous.”

His eyes narrowed and his hands clenched at my statement. Kennedy seemed to sense the change in her father because she lifted her head to stare at him. He noticed and snapped out of it immediately, and I couldn’t help but smirk. “I’m going to put our daughter to bed. I want you to wait for me in the bedroom.”

“Keenan, I don’t think this is a good idea. Maybe I should sleep with Kennedy.”

He drew me close with a light hand around my neck and growled against my lips. “Go. Now.”

I met my daughter’s eyes, which were nearly shut from fatigue but still very much aware. Fighting with Keenan in front of her when he was still very new to her would only scare her.

I cleaned up the bathroom and made for the bedroom where I took a shower in the master bath. By the time I finished, Keenan was waiting for me on the bed. He’d shed his shirt and shoes and the sight of him shirtless and barefoot stirred unwanted lust. The tattoos covering his upper body contrasted greatly with the dress pants.

“You can stop drooling now.”

I snapped my mouth shut and swallowed the moisture that had formed from the sight of him. “I wasn’t drooling.”

“If you say so.” He smirked. “Here. I want you to wear this.” He extended a slip of sheer fabric, and reluctantly, I took it and held it up for inspection.

“I think I will be a little over prepared to sleep, don’t you think?”

“You can sleep naked if you want.”

“Why can’t I wear the pajamas I brought with me?”

Instead of answering, he wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me between his legs and then plucked the lingerie from my hands. The towel was peeled from my body, dropping carelessly to the floor, and just as quickly, I was wearing the gown.

“Will you always need to have your way?”

“I’m afraid so.” He stood to his feet, towering over me. “I’m going to shower, but I’ll be back for you.”

“Is that a threat?”

“It’s a promise.” He startled me by kissing my nose softly and then disappeared into the bathroom.

What the fuck?

I all but ran out the room feeling confused and on edge. Why had he changed his mind about Kennedy? Why was he being gentle and almost likable? A part of me hoped it was real while the other feared it was just another mind game.

I entered the bedroom where Kennedy was fast asleep and watched her chest rise and fall for the longest time. With each breath she took, my heart felt lighter. She was safe. She was home. We had each other.

“We have to tell her soon.” My head turned toward the door where Keenan stood, his hair and body both dripping wet with a towel wrapped around his waist. “You’re drooling again.”

“Your dick is practically making a tent in that towel.”

“There is nothing practical about my dick, baby.”

“Why are you sweet talking me?”

“Would you rather I threaten and yell at you?”

“At least it would be real.”

“Then let me show you what real feels like,” he gritted as his eyes darkened to pitch black. I suddenly regretted what I’d said. It scared me how quickly he could change. “Let’s go.”

He turned away, assuming I would follow.

I did.

And I cursed myself the entire way to his bedroom.

He took a seat on the edge of the large bed and crooked his finger.

Stupid me followed.

“Face the wall.”

I did as I was told though my brain sent my body the command to run.

You can do this.

No matter how much he hated me, I had to remember that somewhere deep inside he was still Keenan. My Keenan. The Keenan who always had a ready joke and a loving touch.

Only… at this moment, here, together, he wasn’t my Keenan. He was my ruination.

I heard him move but somehow knew that turning around would be a mistake. The room filled with the slow and sexy croon of a man who sung about a lost love replaced with hate and sex.

“Dance for me.”

At his command, my hips began to sway. The sheer fabric he ordered me to wear did nothing to hide the curves I earned from my pregnancy. His eyes just before I turned as they scanned my exposed body told me he appreciated.

“Your ass is even more beautiful than I remember. And your tits…” His groan was low but perfectly audible. “You’re a woman now.” His warm breath whispered over my skin, heating me up, but at the same time, raising chill bumps. I never even heard him move. “Did my child do this to you?”