It was the first time I’d heard him refer to her that way. The sound of Kallie calling him daddy was already enough to twist me up inside with hope and dreams and love.
But this? This was overwhelming and pure, offered without a second thought. All those places inside me slipped a little further into Sebastian Stone.
His.
There was no question about it.
I gave him a coy smile, letting my hand go running up his strong chest, over the tee stretched across his wide, wide shoulders where my palm caught onto the firm beat of his heart. “Getting protective, are we?”
On a chuckle, he slanted me a smile that lifted on the crooked side. “Just a tad.”
Then that playful smile took on a tone of wistfulness. “Can’t believe how damned bad I miss her.”
“I know.” I dug around in my bag and pulled out the present Kallie had picked for him. Tentatively, I held it out. “She misses you, too.”
Sebastian stilled, hesitating as his attention darted between the stuffed animal and me, both confusion and recognition flaring in his eyes.
“She saw it and insisted you have it. She told me again and again to make sure you know it’s only from her for your birthday.” I lowered my voice to a hopeful whisper, letting my fingertips trail over the spot on his side where the green monkey was hidden below his shirt. “She thinks monkeys are your favorite.”
His hand trembled as he accepted it, and he pressed it to his nose, eyes dropping closed, breathing it in as if it brought him closer to her.
“God, I can almost smell her, Shea. Miss her so damned bad.”
Slowly, he opened to me, voice deep and sincere. “She is the most amazing kid. After all the shit I’ve done, don’t know how I got so lucky. That you came into my life…bringing that little girl with you.”
Yeah. My hard, tainted man was so sweet and soft. I saw it, felt it beneath his scars and turbulence and dark demeanor.
Ash’s laughter rang out from behind us, breaking up the heaviness that had woven into the moment.
“Beautiful Shea! What’s up, darlin’? Lookin’ gorgeous as ever.”
I turned just in time to catch him rushing me, all dimples and thick, tattooed biceps and heartbreaker smile. I gasped when he picked me up off my feet, swinging me around like a rag doll. Laughter erupted from me. I clutched his shoulders, sure this crazy boy was going to drop me in his exuberance.
“Oh my God, Ash, put me down.”
“Not a chance, darlin’. I missed the hell outta ya.”
“Really,” Sebastian said like a warning, earning a smirk from Ash and a chuckle from Lyrik who stepped in to save me. He gave me a quick hug as he muttered quietly at my ear, “It’s good you’re here. He’s been missing you and in a bad way.”
In appreciation, I nodded at him, glanced at Sebastian who watched our exchange with mild curiosity and a whole lot of happiness.
Zee stepped in for a quick hug, too.
It seemed a little nuts how much I’d missed them all, how this group of guys had become such a mainstay in my life.
Eyes twinkling, Sebastian shook his head. “Should have known you assholes were up to something. Been acting all sketchy and skittish all damned morning. You could have saved me a ton of misery if you’d have given me a clue my girl was on her way.”
“What?” Ash chided in amused disbelief, “and ruin all the work Shea put into making this a surprise? Not a chance, my friend. Suck it up and be thankful she’s here.”
Sebastian wound an arm around my waist, pulling me flush, bringing us chest to chest, both our hearts still wound and beating fast. He pushed his nose into my hair.
His whispered reply along the shell of my ear sent a swell of goosebumps along the back of my neck. “Oh, believe me, I’m thankful, all right. Gonna be showing you all weekend just how thankful I am.”