Read Online Star Promise by G. J. Walker-Smith - Free Book Online

patted his leg, laughing at his choice of words. “It’s for the best.”
    Adam’s head lolled back and he let out a sigh. “It’s not funny, Charlotte,” he chided. “She played Mom like a fiddle. The only time she looked remotely remorseful was when I threatened her with juvie.”
    My laugh got louder, which earned me the nicest kind of punishment. He stood and threw me over his shoulder. I gripped the back of his shirt as he marched down the hall. “Where are we going?” I asked, pretending not to know.
    “To bed,” he replied unapologetically. “I’m a glutton for punishment. I want to make another smart-mouthed, quick-witted little criminal.”
    He nudged the bedroom door open with his foot and abandoned the caveman act by lowering me to my feet.
    “Damn,” I grumbled, tugging the hem of my blouse. “I was just getting into it.”
    A smile crept across his face. “I haven’t finished yet.” His hand found my hip and pulled me forward. Even as it deepened, the kiss remained soft and tender. But I knew he wasn’t completely with me. I broke away and leaned back. “What’s the matter?” I asked, studying his sapphire eyes.
    Adam shook his head infinitesimally. “You know those parents who say ‘my child wouldn’t do that’ when their kid gets into trouble?”
    “Yes.” Meredith Tate and Carol Lawson came to mind.
    “Let’s not be those parents,” he said. “We can’t put anything past our kid. She’s too smart.”
    Adam had a tendency to over-think things, especially where Bridget was concerned. Determined that her childhood would be different from his own, he encouraged her to make decisions without influence. The problem was that Bridget didn’t always decide well, and it bugged the hell out of him.
    The best way around it was to put things into perspective.
    “You know those parents who wear matching sweat pants and sensible shoes?” I asked in return.
    The dimple in his right cheek deepened. “Yeah.”
    I held his hands to steady myself as I stretched up and murmured against his mouth, “Let’s not be those parents either.”
    He kissed me again. It wasn’t slow and soft like before. It was hard and fast and over much too quickly.
    “I love the way your mind works.” He breathed the words against my neck, sending a hot rush of desire right through me.
    “Forget my mind,” I urged, tugging at the buttons on his shirt. “Concentrate on my body.”
    ***
    Our house was usually mayhem in the mornings, but for some reason I seemed to be the only one in a rush that day. When Adam’s alarm went off, he hit the snooze button and turned over.
    I took it as a win. I managed to get the first shower and dry my hair without interruption. Not even Bridget made an appearance.
    I quickly worked out why when I returned to the bedroom. She was tucked up beside her dad having a very one-sided conversation about dogs that swim in the ocean. “They’re called sea dogs,” she explained. Adam grunted in reply, which wasn’t good enough. “You have to listen, Dad.”
    “I am listening,” he mumbled. “Sea dogs.”
    “That’s right,” she praised, patting his head.
    “Bridge, please go and get dressed.” He threw back her side of the covers. “We’ll go and see Ryan.”
    The promise of visiting Ryan was as powerful as the cake box. She disappeared in a flash.
    Adam’s alarm started blaring again. I walked around the bed and thumped the off button. “Why are you going to Ryan’s?” I asked. “Mrs Brown will be here shortly.”
    I took his hand when he reached out to me. “No she won’t. I gave her a week off.”
    A hundred thoughts spun through my mind, namely how we were going to manage full time jobs with no childcare. “And you didn’t think to tell me last night?”
    His hand moved to my stomach. “I had other things on my mind.”
    I brushed him away and moved out of reach. “I can’t take any more days off, Adam.”
    Bronson was very generous when it came to giving me