Read Online Forbidden Valentine: A Forbidden Novel by J.C. Valentine - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: J.C. Valentine
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black peach fuzz.
“I’m glad he has you to confide in, even if you’re not technically dating,” Joe said as she shifted her daughter and closed up her blouse. “He hasn’t been himself lately, and we’ve all been worried about him. Having a woman in his life might be just what the doctor ordered.”
“I don’t know how much help I can be,” Dani admitted, “but I’ll certainly try.”
“He’s a good guy. He’s just lost right now. Be gentle with him, give him some time. He’ll come around to seeing what’s in front of him.”
Dani frowned, unsure of her meaning.
“You seem nice, you’ve got Seraphim’s stamp of approval, and Rosemary is a good judge of character like her father. The only people she allows to hold her are her grandparents and Ransom. Aside from me and her father, of course.”
So she had a baby’s approval. That was…odd, but nice. Dani smiled down at the little girl. Jade green eyes stared up at her and her round cheeks puffed up to reveal a gummy smile. Oh, wow, was she adorable.
Dani’s chest tightened and she held her breath, afraid to give thought to the errant feeling.
“Okay, time to switch.” Standing, Joe went over and exchanged babies, then settled back in to start the process of feeding all over again. “I swear, I’m going to be picking my boobs up off the floor after these two are done with them, but Rebel is adamant that they breast feed instead of using bottles.”
What a jerk. It wasn’t as if it was his body to dictate. Dani bit her tongue before she could give voice to the thought. “That’s unfortunate. He could share in feeding time if you used bottles. I hear it’s a good bonding experience.”
“It is. I love our time together, when it’s all quiet and cozy and we just look into each other’s eyes. But when Rebel gets an idea into his head, there’s no arguing with him. He’s a lot like his mother that way.” She laughed.
Dani grinned, thinking of how Seraphim was in the kitchen with Ransom. She’d been shocked at first when she’d hauled off and slapped him in the arm, but after hearing that he’d been out of town and then returned without so much as a call home to let her know he was okay, she saw her reaction for what it really was: a mother worrying for her child.
“I can see that. So, I don’t hear any sirens or shouting. I guess that means dinner isn’t ruined.”
“God, I hope not. You haven’t lived until you’ve tasted Vincent’s barbecue ribs.” Her eyes rolled back in ecstasy, and Dani couldn’t help laughing. She liked this woman. She made her feel comfortable, at ease.
In fact, she hadn’t experienced a single stomach cramp in all the time they’d been in the living room. Maybe it was the lack of stimulus that eased her nerves, or maybe it was the company, but Dani was grateful for it.
The last thing she wanted was a repeat of freshman year orientation. She shuddered, stomping the memory down before it could gain traction.
Thank God Ransom chose that moment to appear. Looking his usual brand of handsome and confident, if not a tad sweaty, he smiled down at her from the doorway. “There you are.” His gaze darted to Joe, saw what she was doing, and flicked away just as quickly. Dani’s chest ached for him and she pretended not to feel the spark of jealously that threatened to go full-blown. “We managed to salvage most of dinner. Do you want me to fix you a plate or would you like to join me outside and choose for yourself?”
Although she wasn’t exactly eager to submerge herself in the pool of partygoers, Dani knew it was high time she stepped out of her shell. But…
She looked down at the contented bundle in her arms. Her mouth opened, forming a cute little O as she yawed, then her eyelids drooped as she answered the call of sleep.
“I’d like to come out with you, but I’m helping Joe in here. I can catch up with you when we’re done though.”
“Nonsense, you should go. I can handle these
“I’m glad he has you to confide in, even if you’re not technically dating,” Joe said as she shifted her daughter and closed up her blouse. “He hasn’t been himself lately, and we’ve all been worried about him. Having a woman in his life might be just what the doctor ordered.”
“I don’t know how much help I can be,” Dani admitted, “but I’ll certainly try.”
“He’s a good guy. He’s just lost right now. Be gentle with him, give him some time. He’ll come around to seeing what’s in front of him.”
Dani frowned, unsure of her meaning.
“You seem nice, you’ve got Seraphim’s stamp of approval, and Rosemary is a good judge of character like her father. The only people she allows to hold her are her grandparents and Ransom. Aside from me and her father, of course.”
So she had a baby’s approval. That was…odd, but nice. Dani smiled down at the little girl. Jade green eyes stared up at her and her round cheeks puffed up to reveal a gummy smile. Oh, wow, was she adorable.
Dani’s chest tightened and she held her breath, afraid to give thought to the errant feeling.
“Okay, time to switch.” Standing, Joe went over and exchanged babies, then settled back in to start the process of feeding all over again. “I swear, I’m going to be picking my boobs up off the floor after these two are done with them, but Rebel is adamant that they breast feed instead of using bottles.”
What a jerk. It wasn’t as if it was his body to dictate. Dani bit her tongue before she could give voice to the thought. “That’s unfortunate. He could share in feeding time if you used bottles. I hear it’s a good bonding experience.”
“It is. I love our time together, when it’s all quiet and cozy and we just look into each other’s eyes. But when Rebel gets an idea into his head, there’s no arguing with him. He’s a lot like his mother that way.” She laughed.
Dani grinned, thinking of how Seraphim was in the kitchen with Ransom. She’d been shocked at first when she’d hauled off and slapped him in the arm, but after hearing that he’d been out of town and then returned without so much as a call home to let her know he was okay, she saw her reaction for what it really was: a mother worrying for her child.
“I can see that. So, I don’t hear any sirens or shouting. I guess that means dinner isn’t ruined.”
“God, I hope not. You haven’t lived until you’ve tasted Vincent’s barbecue ribs.” Her eyes rolled back in ecstasy, and Dani couldn’t help laughing. She liked this woman. She made her feel comfortable, at ease.
In fact, she hadn’t experienced a single stomach cramp in all the time they’d been in the living room. Maybe it was the lack of stimulus that eased her nerves, or maybe it was the company, but Dani was grateful for it.
The last thing she wanted was a repeat of freshman year orientation. She shuddered, stomping the memory down before it could gain traction.
Thank God Ransom chose that moment to appear. Looking his usual brand of handsome and confident, if not a tad sweaty, he smiled down at her from the doorway. “There you are.” His gaze darted to Joe, saw what she was doing, and flicked away just as quickly. Dani’s chest ached for him and she pretended not to feel the spark of jealously that threatened to go full-blown. “We managed to salvage most of dinner. Do you want me to fix you a plate or would you like to join me outside and choose for yourself?”
Although she wasn’t exactly eager to submerge herself in the pool of partygoers, Dani knew it was high time she stepped out of her shell. But…
She looked down at the contented bundle in her arms. Her mouth opened, forming a cute little O as she yawed, then her eyelids drooped as she answered the call of sleep.
“I’d like to come out with you, but I’m helping Joe in here. I can catch up with you when we’re done though.”
“Nonsense, you should go. I can handle these
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