Free Reclaim Me (The Jaded Series Book 2) by Alex Grayson, Karen McAndrews, Toj Publishing Page A

is.
    That was my first mistake, and I realize it as soon as I open the door to see Mac standing on the other side looking his usual sexy self. His dark hair is messy and just long enough to hang over the collar of his hunter green t-shirt. My eyes travel down and I see well-worn faded jeans hanging from his trim hips and a pair of tan colored Cat boots. When I bring my gaze back up to his, I see a small smirk and it pisses me off. What the fuck is he doing here?
    “What are you doing here, Sheriff?” I ask with irritation in my voice that I don’t try to hide.
    His eyes flare for a minute before he looks down to Amari in my arms. Once they land on her, a soft look crosses his face.
    “I heard you were watching Amari this weekend for Jaxon and Bailey. I wanted to stop by and see if you needed anything.”
    He’s lying and we both know it. I decide not to call him out on it.
    “No, we’re both fine. Thanks, but you can leave now.” I know I’m being rude, but I just don’t care. I don’t owe him any kindness. I go to close the door in his face, but at the last minute, he reaches his hand out and stops me.
    “Can I come in?” He asks.
    “Why?” I ask suspiciously. He must know that I don’t want him in my house. Mac’s never been in my house and I sure as fuck don’t want him in here now. Why would he even ask?
    “Because I’d like to talk to you.” Mac holds his hand up to stop the protest that he knows is coming. After every attempt he’s made so far, he must know that I’m certainly not going to give in now. “Not about that. Well, it is, but what I have to say isn’t to tell you about what happened that night.” He stops talking and rakes his hand through. It’s a habit that he’s had since he was a teenager, and he does it when he gets agitated or feels deep emotion. Looking back at me, he continues with frustration written on his face, “For fucks sake, Mia, can you just listen to me for once?”
    This is where I make my second mistake. I know that what I’m about to do is something that I shouldn’t, but I do it anyway. As much as I don’t want to hear what he has to say, I know that he won’t give up until he does. Not looking forward to having him in my space, I take a much-needed deep breath before opening the door wide and taking a step back.
    The relief I see on his face annoys me. I know it’s petty and childish of me, but I don’t like him getting what he wants when it comes to me.
    I turn to walk back into the living room when I feel Amari squirming and whimpering. I look down at her and realize that it’s time for her to eat. An idea forms in my head and I turn back to Mac.
    “Here, hold Amari while I warm up her bottle.”
    I take a step towards him and see panic on his face. It takes everything I have not to snicker at him.
    “I’m…uh…not sure…” he stutters and trails off. I almost laugh at his sad, pathetic face.
    “Oh, come on, Mac. It’s not like you’ve never held a baby before.” My words have his eyes narrowing with a hard edge to them. I don’t care. He’s here because he wants me to listen. The least he can fucking do is help out.
    I step up to him, and making sure to support her head, I bring her away from my body towards him. He automatically brings his arms up to his chest and leans towards me. Leaning closer to him to where our bodies are almost touching, I gently place Amari in his arms. My hands and arms rub up against his, and I feel a tingle start in my center. My awareness of him is becoming ridiculous. This is so not the time or place for my body to betray me.
    As Mac arranges his arms to a more comfortable position, I take a step back. What I see makes my heart skip a beat. Mac has his eyes glued to Amari and the expression on his face is complete adoration for the bundle in his arms. That twinge comes back full force. This is what we were supposed to have. Mac should be holding our baby right now. My throat clogs as I watch him look