Talon (Uncompromising #1)(115)

Neil’s huge hands dwarfed her as he picked her up. Holding her close, he switched to Danish and quietly spoke to her. The slight upturn of his lips was the closest he ever got to a smile and if I didn’t know better, I’d say I wasn’t the only one who’d fallen for Maddie. A few seconds later, Maddie was nodding at Neil like she understood everything he was saying.

Neil switched back to English. “Be a good girl for your mother.” He handed her to Siren. “She is beautiful.”

“Thank you.” Siren hugged Maddie close. “For everything.”

“You’re welcome.” Neil nodded politely. “I will see myself out.”

I knew better than to try and walk him out. Instead I shook his hand. “Thanks again.”

“Until next time,” he said in Danish.

We watched him leave then I grabbed two beers. “Smells amazin’. You made dinner.” No one had made me dinner in long time.

“Thank you. It’s chicken and roasted vegetables. It should be ready soon.”

“Let’s sit on the deck.” I debated telling her about Stone.

“All right.”

I followed her out, taking in the sweet curve of her ass and gentle sway of her hips. She gracefully lowered herself into a seat and I was jealous of a fucking deck chair. “You look beautiful.” I kissed her forehead before I sat. Setting the beers down between us, I reached out a hand to Maddie. “Hi, baby girl, you miss me?”

Shy and sweet, she wrapped her little hand around my finger.

I smiled. “That’s my girl. You have a good nap?”

She sucked the thumb in her mouth.

I glanced at Siren. “She speakin’ yet?”

A flash of concern furrowed Siren’s brow. “Not yet.”

“She will. Give her time.” I stroked Maddie’s hair. “You’re just waitin’ for the right moment, aren’t ya, sweetness?”

She leaned into Siren.

I took a swig of beer then set the bottle down and held my hands out. “You wanna come sit with me?”

She quickly turned her head away from me and Siren and I laughed.

“Fair enough. I’m a patient man.” I looked at Siren and my smile faltered. Jesus, she was pretty.

“What?”

I took a swig of beer and stared out at the ocean, wondering how much I’d freak her out if I said what I was thinking. I turned back to her. “We still playin’ it honest?”

“Yes.”

I loved the softness of her voice. Inhaling, I went for it. “You remember the night we had dinner out here?”

She nodded.

“You, the ocean, the sun settin’, that moment felt pretty damn perfect but this?” I stroked Maddie’s hair. “You and me and Maddie?” I cupped Siren’s cheek and dropped my voice. “This is everythin’ I want.”

Siren grasped my wrist and leaned into my touch.

I wanted to kiss her so bad but I waited because I wasn’t looking at the Siren who was a mother. I was looking at the woman who’d sat on the beach wall, scared as hell.

“It hasn’t even been twenty-four hours.” She glanced at Maddie. “What if you change your mind?”

I couldn’t help it, I smiled. “Siren, I was sunk the first moment you fell into my arms. I’m not changin’ my mind. And if you decide you wanna walk away from me, you’re gonna see what it’s like to have me chase the hell outta you.”

Her eyes filled with water.

“Hey, hey, hey, no tears, darlin’. Nothin’ doin’, I was only kiddin’, sorta.” I grinned and she laughed but a few tears escaped and ran down her face.

Maddie glanced between us then she gripped the sides of Siren’s face, one of her little hands pushing mine right out of the way. “Mama.”

For one shocked moment, Siren and I stared at Maddie then we looked at each other.

I pointed at Siren and turned back at Maddie. “Who’s this?”

“Mama.” Sweet, high-pitched, and perfect as hell, Maddie’s little voice sang through the evening air.

I smiled wide. “Say it again.”

“Mama,” she said louder.

I whooped and grabbed Maddie and held her up high. “That’s my baby girl! That’s how you do it. Good girl, sweetness! That’s your Mama, right there.” I nuzzled her nose with mine and she giggled. An honest-to-God giggle. “Oh, darlin’,” I drawled. “I do believe that is the sweetest sound I ever did hear.” I planted a big kiss on her cheek. “Now tell me, who’s your Mama? Point to Mama and I’ll give you back to her.”

She pointed at Siren.

“That’s my girl!” I nuzzled her once more and handed her back to a teary-eyed Siren. “See, Mama? All good.”