Free Forever Alexa (Book Four In The Bodyguards Of L.A. County Series) by Cate Beauman Page A

instead—the one bright light in her life—she pulled free Livy’s lavender-colored jammies and stuffed frog and walked back to kneel next to Olivia as Jack sat on the edge of the mattress. “You don’t have to… You don’t have to stay. I’ve got this.”
    He held her gaze until she looked down and gently pulled Livy’s shirt over her head, replacing it with the short-sleeved top. She unsnapped her tiny jean shorts next and tugged them off, trading them for the light cotton pants. Her eyes darted to Jack’s as she struggled to calm her nerves. “She’s worn herself out. All the traveling and playing with Kylee.”
    Jack reached out and brushed the bangs from Olivia’s forehead. “She’s so beautiful, Alex. She’s so smart and sweet.”
    Alexa stared at the big, masculine hand moving tenderly over their daughter’s face and down her arm to her fingers. “Livy’s my treasure.” She smiled and grabbed the stuffed animal from the floor, tucking the mournful frog under Livy’s arm.
    Jack fingered the light green, webbed foot. “Gordon,” he murmured. “You kept Gordon.”
    She picked up Livy’s shirt and folded the pink, striped cotton, needing to keep busy. “I couldn’t throw him away. He was the only thing I’d ever had won for me at a carnival.”
    “I had to chuck that damn football more times than I should’ve. That game was rigged.”
    She folded Livy’s shorts next. “You probably paid double for him what we would have if we’d bought him at the store.”
    “You wanted him. I wasn’t leaving until you had this pathetic looking thing.”
    A small smile ghosted across her mouth as she looked up and realized he was smiling too. She swallowed as a rush of longing snuck through her defenses. She’d never been able to resist Jack’s smile. “Livy has always loved him. She’s slept with him since day one.”
    He held her gaze as he continued to toy with Gordon’s foot. “Why didn’t you tell me?” All traces of the happy memory vanished as his eyes sobered and his voice radiated with pain.
    “Because I never wanted her to think, for even one second, she was someone else’s burden.”
    “Goddamn,” he whispered and stood to brace his hands on the window frame. “I’ve missed so much. I’ve lost so much time.”
    Alexa got to her feet and walked to him, hesitating before touching his shoulder. “I’m sorry, Jack. I thought I was doing the right thing for both of you. For all of us.”
    He faced her. “I didn’t get a say. I’m so fucking pissed. I’m so sad. I want to hate you for this, Alex.”
    She stepped closer to the agony radiating in his eyes, even though it would’ve been easier to step away. “Do you think the past four years have been easy? Do you think I didn’t want a typical family for Olivia and myself? You walked out on me . Out of nowhere you changed everything. Was I supposed to have tracked you down three weeks after you told me you didn’t want me anymore and that I didn’t fit in your life and tell you we were expecting a child?”
    He pressed his hand to his forehead. “I don’t know.”
    “Well, I didn’t either. All I knew was you were gone and I had a baby to raise. After the initial shock wore off, I was thrilled. I’ve never regretted her for a second. Not one. She’s brought nothing but joy to my life.”
    “She’s so perfect, so articulate.” He looked at Olivia again and smiled. “She’s amazing. I’m still shocked she’s mine.”
    “She’s very bright. She’s so much like you, Jack. There’s rarely a day she doesn’t make me laugh.”
    The room grew silent as they both stared at the child they’d made.
    “Did you finish school?”
    “Yes. After you… After everything, I had a hard time. I struggled to keep up with my classes and student teaching. Luckily my professors were very kind. I thought I was tired from stress, but I soon found out I was pregnant. Olivia gave me a reason to keep going, even when I didn’t want