Free Stripped Raw by Prescott Lane Page A

relationship is going to go any further, he has to know what’s coming. It’s only fair.
    But first things first. I need to get Zoe fed before Kane comes over, so I put her in her playpen and turn on some music. “Okay, what are we eating?” I ask her then notice my yoga pants and t-shirt. In addition to getting her some food, I need to change and possibly do something with my hair, which seems to live in a ponytail or messy bun. I’m the poster girl for a hot mess these days.
    Zoe is starting to pout. She doesn’t like being put down. Tessa hardly ever puts Zoe down, so she tends to fuss when not being held. The crocodile tears are coming. I know I’m not going to get anything done if Zoe is freaking out, so I make a quick decision and do what any good aunt would do.
    I start moving to the music, waving my arms and shaking my hips, doing my best “Dougie” and “Stanky Legg,” playing it up for Zoe. She gurgles and laughs with me—or maybe at me. I’m not sure which and don’t really care. My charms are working. Zoe moves her eyes away from me and lets out another smile, even bigger this time.
    I follow her eyes and see Kane staring at me from the doorway, a slow smile forming on his lips. Another day, another time, I might’ve melted in embarrassment because the truth is, I’m a terrible dancer. But I don’t care tonight. I kick it up a notch and go into “The Whip” and “Nae Nae.” Kane busts out laughing, no doubt used to me acting like a fool by now.
    He’s not turned off by my seizure-like dance moves. Instead, he picks up Zoe and proceeds to “Gangnam Style” with her. God, he is the greatest, and of course, he can really move. He even makes that silly dance look sexy, even more so holding little Zoe. I have a thing for a guy dancing with a little girl, or a father dancing with his daughter. Something about it is so sweet, so touching. It always melts my heart. Maybe it’s because I never had that moment with my own father.
    Still, I’m not above teasing Kane. I bump him with my booty. “Get off my dance floor,” I say. “I dance alone.”
    He wraps a free arm around me. “You’ll never dance alone again.”
    Now my heart is a puddle on the floor. He pulls me tighter to him, like he can’t get enough of me. One thing I’ve learned about Kane is he goes all in with everything he does. Of course, that means he’s a workaholic, but it’s more than that. When he holds me, he squeezes me tighter right before letting me go. When he kisses me, it’s always a little longer, deeper than I’m expecting. Even when he looks at me, his blue eyes never waver.
    His tongue finds mine, and a moan escapes. My body rises up. I can’t control it. Zoe gives a playful smack on his cheek, and Kane pulls back slightly. My little niece is good birth control. She rears her hand back once more, and I catch it this time. I kiss her hand, take her from Kane, and turn off the music.
    “Zoe has a cold,” I say and wipe her nose with a tissue.
    Kane rubs the baby’s bald head. “She looks fine.”
    “Yeah, but Tessa can’t. . . .” I stop and close my eyes tightly. “Tessa’s immune system is very weak, so. . . .” My eyes catch his. I will not cry. Get it together! “I need one of those special man hugs right now.”
    Kane sweeps me in his arms. “I’m here,” he says and strokes my hair.
    “Anyway, Tessa can’t be around her right now, so I have to watch her tonight,” I say, pushing on my eyes. “I’m going to need to postpone my Skype appointments and put off getting takeout. I’m sorry. Family comes first. I’ve got so much work to do, too.”
    Kane takes Zoe and wipes her nose. “You work—or do whatever you need to do. I’ll hang out with Dimples.” Zoe reacts to the news by sticking Kane’s knuckle in her mouth and starting to gnaw. “Should call you Chompers.”
    “I can’t ask you to do that,” I say.
    “It’s fine,” Kane says, finding a toy rattle and handing it