The Luna and her Quadruplet Pups by Jane Above Story

Chapter 29 Tunnel of Love

Jane

Looking down at Paisley’s sweet face, I know I can’t deny her anything. “Of course I’ll come.” I promise, avoiding Ethan’s gaze.

“Yay!” Paisley exclaims happily, looking back and forth between Ethan and I. Something seems to strike her then, and her little nose crinkles in confusion and concern. “Wait, what ’bout your game?”

Ethan’s gaze zeroes in on me. I don’t need to look at him to know, I can feel the weight of his eyes on me like a pair of hundred pound weights. I should have foreseen this, I should have remembered the story I told the little girl about the hide and seek game. Now she’ll think I can’t ever be her mother because Ethan clearly found me. Panic bubbles up inside me, I don’t know how to answer her and keep up my lie for Ethan at the same time.

“We put it on pause.” Ethan supplies, surprising me.

“For you.”ladd gently, “because of your surgery.”

“Oh.” Paisley chirps, accepting our answer without further question. “Good.” She smiles toothily up at me. “I’m glad.”

“Me too.” I admit, unable to stop myself from running my fingers through her dark hair.

I’m painfully aware of Ethan’s warm, hard body beneath me, and still hiding from his penetrating gaze, however, I’m also completely preoccupied by Paisley. Every time I see her it

feels like a dream come true. I’ve waited so long to hold her in my arms and hear her call me Mommy, I’d put up with Ethan for hours on end if it meant I got to spend more time with her like this. I just have to remain conscious of the fine line I’m walking. I can’t reveal too much in front of my ex, and I can’t let him trick me into revealing the truth.

When we depart Paisley’s room a couple of hours later, he keeps his arm locked around my waist, forcing me to physically remove the powerful limb. I’m mildly shocked when he doesn’t stop me, but my victory is very short lived. “Would you care to tell me what that was about?” His deep voice sounds behind me.

Belatedly I realize he allowed me the victory of pushing him away, only so that my guard would be lowered when he made his next move. “Your daughter is very sweet.” I inform him simply, not truly answering his question.

“You’ve visited her before.” Ethan rumbles, stating it as a fact, rather than I question.

“I met her when Riley was here.” I shrug, “the children’s ward isn’t very big.”

“Why didn’t you say?” He questions, pulling me to a stop just inside the building exit.

“Because,” I inform him coldly, “lc would only have encouraged you.”

expect him to fight back instead he simply

shaking off my reaction as soon as

off guard again. He used to call me that all the time, in precisely the same way – never as a criticism or accusation, always as a term of amused endearment. I continue walking without responding, praying he’ll let the

thwarts me again, “Paisley’s mother was stubborn too.” He says to

a smart woman.’ I reply, trying not to take his

only too bad Paisley never got to know her. She’s

him, he’ll see, so I simply continue moving towards the car. “Then you ought to marry Eve and be done with

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Ethan

aghast. She must be joking. Granted, I know that’s precisely what Eve wants, but I’ve never had any interest in the conniving she-wolf. I’ve only ever had eyes for Jane, which is why it hurt so much when she betrayed us on her graduation trip. If it weren’t for my mother’s word, l’ d never

day soon I plan on getting all the answers i possibly can out of her.

park. Jane was only too happy for an excuse to get the kids out of the house and away from me so she readily agreed. Of course she was considerably less pleased when the pups turned

far too quickly, flushing and then amending

to come.” I correct her, making the

cheer triumphantly.

go home.” Jane narrows her eyes. “Don’t you have

a vacation in years, besides, I’m going to be off for Paisley’s surgery anyway.” I explain, “this way I’ll just

head!” Jane sputters,

go on any roller coasters,” My head is still aching enough to make the idea make

like them either so

daughter an exasperated look, but I can only

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a little while. Make no mistake, I’m thrilled to be spending time with Jane and the pups, but I can’ t stop thinking that this is wrong. Poor Paisley is

you thinking about Paisley?” Jane asks softly. We’re standing at the exit of an alarmingly tall roller

my hair, I admit. “I feel guilty

know any parent who wouldn’t feel that way.” She

a single thought for scheming, “We could bring her