“What are we doing today?” Sofia snuggled deeper into my side.

I hooked my leg over her hip, rolling her onto her back and pinning her into the bed. Then I kissed the fuck out of her, pressing my erection into her core.

When she was breathless, I broke away. “That answer your question?”

“Uh-huh,” she panted into my neck before latching on to the skin and sucking hard.

I’d been looking forward to spending another day together in bed since New Year’s. We’d just been learning that day, exploring and testing. But now that I knew Sofia was good with me taking control, that she could relax and let go of any inhibitions when it came to her body, today we were going to play.

I dropped a hand to the waistband of her shorts and slid them down. The woman loved her silk pajamas, but today she was going to be sleeping naked except for that jewel in her navel. If we slept at all. And for the rest of this vacation, she’d be naked as much as possible.

I was bewitched. Addicted after only days.

In another life, I’d do more than chase her around.

I’d catch her.

My hand slipped between us, instantly finding her clit. Her hips bucked off the bed with my slight touch and her eyes flared.

Those dark irises were just as expressive in the bedroom as they were anywhere else. I knew exactly what she was feeling, how close she was to an explosion and how badly she wanted me.

And right now she wanted me to fuck her nine ways from Sunday.

Still naked from the night before, I took my cock in my hand, positioning it at her entrance. I was about to slide inside when the phone on my nightstand rang.

“Damn it.”

“Don’t answer.” Sofia shook her head, her eyes pleading.

“Sorry, babe.” I rolled off her and grabbed the phone. It was Dad’s ringtone, one I hadn’t heard in over a month. If he was calling, something was up.

“Hello.” I shifted off the bed, dropping my feet to the floor. My hard-on was just as pissed as Sofia.

“Dakota.” He didn’t sound upset or angry for a change. Maybe this was a call I could have ignored.

“Dad.”

“Your sister had her baby.”

“What?” I shot off the bed. Koko wasn’t due for another six weeks. “Is everything okay?”

“Ten fingers. Ten toes. You’ve got a new niece.”

“And Koko?”

“Just fine.”

I sighed, sinking back to the edge of the bed. Behind me, Sofia was sitting up with the sheet clutched to her breasts. “That’s good.”

Koko had four other kids so it wasn’t like this was her first experience with childbirth. But you never knew what could happen.

“I’ll call her later,” I told Dad. “And I’ll send some flowers to the hospital.”

“Just bring them.”

“Bring them?”

“Koko wants you to be here for the naming today.”

I ran a hand through my hair. “Dad, I, uh, I can’t come over there today.”

“Are you working or something?” he asked, his tone bitter.

Dad was one of the hardest workers I knew and had taught his kids how to hustle. But since I wasn’t working on the reservation, I could put in hundred-hour weeks and I’d still be slacking.

“No, I’m not.”

“Then drive safe.” Dad hung up the phone.

I hung my head, my shoulders hunched forward, heavy with guilt.

Koko had been the one to start this tradition. Ever since her first son was born, she wanted all of us around when she and her husband announced a baby’s name. Then we’d pass the newborn around, introduce ourselves so he or she would know we were family.

I hadn’t missed a naming ceremony for any of my sisters’ kids. Something Dad knew.

“Fuck.” I tossed the phone on the mattress. I hated wasting a day with Sofia with her leaving so soon.

“What?” Sofia walked across the bed on her knees, placing her hands on my shoulders. “Is everything all right?”

“I need to go home. My sister had a baby today, and we do this thing where we all have to be there when she announces the name.”

“Oh, okay.” Her hands fell away and she climbed off the bed. Then she dug through the sheets to find her pajama shorts. “I’ll toss on some pants and pack up some stuff, and you can drop me at Logan’s on your way out of town.”

I didn’t want her to pack up her stuff. I’d told her that she was staying here for the rest of her trip, and her suitcases belonged in the corner of my bedroom, right where they were until our time was up.

“Wait.” I snagged her hand before she could walk away, pulling her between my knees. Her floral scent hit my nose, chasing away good reason. “Do you want to come along?”

She side-eyed me. “To the reservation?”

“Yes.” What the hell am I thinking? This had disaster written all over it in Sharpie. But I wasn’t spending the day without her.

“Is that okay? Isn’t it a family affair?”

I nodded. “It is. But it won’t take long. We’ll go to Browning. Say congrats. Deliver some flowers and do the naming. Then we’ll come back.”

“Are you sure?”

No. “Yeah.”

“Okay. I’ll hop in the shower.” She bent, planted a kiss on my lips, then sauntered to the bathroom, stripping off her tank top as she walked and tossing it into the pile of dirty clothes she’d been making next to one suitcase.

As the water turned on in the bathroom, I rubbed my face in my hands, wondering if I should take back the invitation.

My family would take one look at Sofia and instantly be on alert. Not because she was a white girl on the reservation. But because she was a white girl on the reservation who’d arrived in the passenger seat of my truck.

I stood and took one step toward the bathroom. Dread churned in my gut. No way this day ended in happy smiles.

I didn’t want to go home, but I didn’t have a choice. And since I had to go, I didn’t want to go alone.

It probably wasn’t fair to let Sofia walk into this situation. It really wasn’t fair to let her go without a warning.

I walked down to the bathroom, watching her blurry form from behind the frosted glass of the shower’s door. “I think you need to know what you’re getting into here.”

“What’s that?” she called.

“You know I’ve got a beef with my family. They probably won’t be too happy to see me.”

She laughed. “You mean, they won’t be too happy to see me.”

“Well, yeah.”

The door slid open and she peeked her wet head outside. “Do you want me to stay here?”

“No,” I admitted.

“Then consider me warned. Your family is going to be surprised I’m there. My family would be surprised if I brought you home too.”

I hadn’t thought of it that way. It was a nice fantasy to think social barriers didn’t exist, that rich people weren’t wary of poor people and vice versa.

Though I think of our two families, hers was the one we were selling short. From what Thea had told me, they were fairly down-to-earth, considering their wealth.

The only one she’d ever been wary of was Sofia.

No worries there.

“They’ll be civil,” I promised.

“Even if they’re not, I’m fine. I’d like to see where you’re from.”

We’d be driving through the worst part of town to get to the hospital. That probably deserved another warning of its own, but I wasn’t going to completely scare her away.

Selfish as it was, I wanted every one of Sofia’s minutes for the rest of her trip.

Even if that meant taking her along to meet my family.

“Congratulations, Koko.” I bent to the hospital bed and kissed my sister’s cheek.

She didn’t really notice the hug I tried to give her. She was too busy staring at Sofia with a slackened jaw. Just like all the other women in the room.

Dad was the only one looking at me. His stare etched my skin like a laser beam.

I ignored them and rubbed a knuckle against the pink cheek of my niece, who was sleeping in her mother’s arms. “Hi, little one.” Good luck.

I was ashamed to admit I didn’t know my nieces and nephews well. Koko had five kids now. My sister Rozene had four boys. The youngest ones I hadn’t seen in months. Rozene’s youngest was ten months old, and I’d only seen him twice, his naming ceremony and now. The kid was sitting on the floor in the corner, chewing on a plastic rattle.

This baby girl wouldn’t know me any better. Hell, I didn’t even know if they talked about me. Given the way Dad was still glaring, I doubted they would much after today.

I touched the baby’s nose then left their bedside to greet everyone else.

“Hi, Mom.” I kissed her forehead. Her black hair had more gray hairs since the last time I’d come home. Her long braid was tied off with one of the leather straps Dad always made for her hair.

“Dakota.” She leaned in closer to speak softly. “Today is for family.”

Dad grumbled and from the corner of my eye, Rozene nodded vigorously. These hospital rooms didn’t only smell like antiseptic, their acoustics meant everyone had heard Mom’s statement.

Including Sofia.

“This is Sofia Kendrick. She’s—”

“A coworker.” Sofia stepped away from the doorway and farther into the room. Her shoulders were pulled back and her chin raised. She looked like the Sofia I’d seen in her family pictures, like she’d put up her guard.

Smart.

“I just came along to see your town. I’ll step outside.” She looked to me. “I’ll be in the waiting room.”

I nodded, keeping my eyes on her as she retreated out into the hallway. She’d worn her high-heeled snow boots again today. Her jeans were black, and her sweater was another cashmere number. She’d gone for the diamond studs today that probably cost more than the medical equipment in the room. My warning in the shower must have inspired her to put on some armor.

For Sofia’s sake, I was glad for it. But where my family was concerned, it probably just made things worse.

The moment her footsteps were no longer audible, my family converged.

“Why would you bring a strange woman here?”

“This is a family function.”

“Seriously, Dakota? I just had a baby.”

I was opening my mouth to tell them this was a one-time guest when another voice filled the room.

“Hello.”

My spine stiffened as I slowly spun around to see my ex-girlfriend, Petah, walking into the room with a bouquet of pink roses.

“You’re just in time.” Koko gave her a one-armed hug after Petah placed the flowers on a side table. “Dakota just got here, so we can start.”

Petah met my eyes, her gaze familiar from the years we’d spent together. Familiar, but not comforting. It wasn’t home.

“Hi.” She smiled and walked over.

“Hey.” I bent to kiss her cheek except she went for my lips. I was lucky to dodge it and brush the corner of her mouth.

It was awkward and we both broke apart. Her eyes darted to the floor while mine went to my sister in her hospital bed.

Koko had her hair braided in a long flow over one shoulder, much like Mom’s. She was smiling, but it wasn’t because of her new baby. It was because of me and Petah, standing side by side.

No matter how many years went by, Koko was set on the two of us together. To her, Petah was the big sister she’d always loved and wanted to keep.

Koko had put more pressure on me than anyone to come home, hoping I’d marry Petah. The only time she’d backed off was when Petah had gotten married to one of our high school classmates a few years after we’d broken up. I’d been on the dude ranch at the time, glad she’d found someone else.

But then they’d gotten divorced about a year later. Koko swore it was because Petah was still in love with me. Maybe she was.

I’d always been fond of Petah. But love? I’d never been in love.

“You look good,” I told her.

Her eyes came up from the floor. They were filled with longing, and I regretted my compliment. “You too. You always do.”

“Thanks,” I clipped, keeping my expression blank. I didn’t want to give her any false hope.

Petah was beautiful. One of the most beautiful women I’d ever seen. She had long, thick black hair that hung to the middle of her back. Her eyes were round and as black as coal. Her lips had a pout that my sisters had always envied.

And she was a sweetheart.

Petah was kind and soft-spoken. When we’d dated in high school, she’d lived to serve my every whim. If I said I was thirsty, she’d hurry to get me a glass of water even though I hadn’t asked. She’d sit and watch every basketball practice, every track meet. She didn’t make plans because she did whatever I was doing.

As a high-school kid, it was a thrill to have that kind of devotion. But that thrill had faded after three years together. I’d broken up with her a few months before I’d gone to work at the dude ranch.

I hadn’t wanted to hurt her, but it had been for the best. I’d known it after my first summer at the dude ranch. I’d see these powerful women walk through the door and capture the room. The idea of being with a woman like that sent electricity through my veins.

Petah never challenged me or pushed me to see things in a different light. For the right man, she would be the perfect partner.

But I wasn’t the right man.

Not when one look at Sofia gave me more energy than years with Petah had ever done.

I’d tried to make it clear to my family that Petah and I were never going to happen. She wouldn’t ever be my wife. We’d never have babies. But did they hear me? No. Here she was for a family function.

“Should we get started?” I asked Koko.

She frowned. “In a hurry to leave?”

Yes. “No. Just excited to learn her name.”

“We can’t start until the guys come back.” Rozene dug a bowl of crackers out of her purse for the little one on the floor. “They went to get the other kids.”

My brothers-in-law were both good guys. They were involved with the tribal council along with Dad. Koko’s husband worked as a lead prosecutor for the tribal court. Rozene’s husband worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

I liked them both. But when they were in the room, Dad was reminded that his only son was just a bartender. His disappointment would suck the happiness out of any occasion.

We stood around in silence for a few minutes except for the noises coming from the hallway as nurses walked by and a man in a walker shuffled past the door.

“Are you here for long?” Petah asked me quietly.

“No, I’m heading back today.”

“Would you like to have dinner before you leave? I made a casserole this morning; it’s the kind you like. It would be nice to catch up.”

The minute Koko’s baby was born, I bet she went right to the store to whip up that casserole. It was guaranteed I’d be home.

I sighed. “I can’t. I didn’t come alone.”

Dad was leaning against the far wall of the room next to some kind of monitor. He crossed his arms over his broad chest and shook his head. “You shouldn’t have brought her.”

Petah flinched at my side. “Her? Oh. I, um . . . sorry. I didn’t realize you were seeing someone.”

“I’m not.” I corrected because the pain radiating off her was hard to stomach. “She’s a coworker.” And my lover.

Clearly, Dad had derived that already, but I wasn’t going to spell it out for Petah.

If I was lucky, I could get out of here without Petah and Sofia seeing one another. I had no doubt Sofia could handle a run-in with my ex. But I wasn’t going to add insult to injury for Petah. I wasn’t going to rub it in that Sofia had the one thing Petah wanted so desperately.

My undivided attention.

The sound of little feet echoed down the hallway, and I held my breath, hoping it was one of my nieces or nephews. Sure enough, a familiar face rounded the corner and hurried into the room.

“Mama!” The little girl climbed right up on Koko’s bed, crawling up to the baby.

Her hair was tied back in the same leather strap as Mom’s. No doubt Dad had made all the girls in the family those hair ties, along with the boys who’d chosen to wear theirs long too. Just like their grandfather and great-uncle Xavier.

One by one, the room filled with children. My brothers-in-law walked in with wide grins on their faces.

“We’re here!” Koko’s husband, Ty, went right to her bedside and scooped up his new daughter, smiling brightly at his baby. “Ready to spill our secret?”

My heart thumped too hard as I watched the man gaze upon his latest creation. There was so much love and adoration in those eyes, I turned away.

Stop that shit. I’d made my decision. I’d chosen to follow my own path. And that path didn’t include children, so there was no point in getting soft at the sight of a proud father.

“Okay, you guys know how this works.” Koko shifted on the bed, sitting up higher and straightening the red robe around her shoulders. “We’ll pass the baby around and you have to introduce yourself to her.”

“I’ll go grab a coffee from the cafeteria.” Petah took a step for the door, but Koko shot out an arm.

“No! You should stay.”

“Oh, no. I don’t want to intrude.”

“Please? I’d like you to stay.” Koko’s eyes pleaded with Petah. “You’re like her aunt.”

Fuck my life. I clenched my jaw, trying to keep cool. The room was packed with people and even though I refused to look around, I knew they were all sending their thoughts my way.

Marry Petah. That came from Mom, Rozene and Koko.

Come home and take responsibility for who you are. That was from Dad.

Who is that guy again? That came from the kids.

“Koko and I flipped a coin and she lost. So I get to tell you guys this precious one’s name.” Ty came to my rescue, not for the first time, and brought the attention back to his new daughter. “Kimi. It means secret.”

“I love it.” Rozene clutched her heart then looked to her husband. “Let’s try for a girl.”

He just smiled at her—a smile that said I’d be here again in about nine months.

My father stepped up first, taking the baby in his arms and rocking her back and forth until her momentary fussing stopped. “Kimi. I am your grandfather, Joseph. Burn bright, little star.”

It was something Dad always added. I wasn’t sure if the rest of my family wished the babies anything. If they did, they didn’t say it out loud.

“Kimi.” Mom was next to take the baby. “I am your grandmother, Lyndie.”

She turned to me, bringing the child over. I took her in my arms, careful not to bounce her too much as I cradled her.

I wasn’t like other single men who were nervous around babies. We’d always had kids in and out of our house growing up. My mother or sisters were always babysitting for a relative or neighbor and I’d pitch in.

I liked kids. I liked this kid.

Her eyes were open and dark, staring at me without blinking.

“Kimi, I am your uncle, Dakota.” Be free.

It was the same thing I’d wished for all of them after they were born.

If they ever needed some help finding that freedom, I’d be the guy they could call. Even if I didn’t live down the block or attend every holiday, I’d be there.

Like Xavier had been for me.

“My turn.” Rozene swept the baby from my arms, cooing as she rocked her side to side. “Kimi, I am your aunt, Rozene. And this is your other aunt.” Rozene handed the baby to Petah.

She hesitated a moment after the baby was in her arms, then she introduced herself. “Hi, Kimi, I’m Petah.”

At least she hadn’t added the aunt.

Petah rocked the baby back and forth, smiling at Kimi’s round face. Then she looked to me with the words I want one written all over her face.

I took a step away from Petah, nearly knocking over one of my nephews who’d come over to stand close.

My family had all but convinced her I’d come home eventually. No matter how many times I stressed that I wasn’t coming back, that Petah and I would never be together again, they’d fooled her into thinking there was still a chance.

Petah handed the baby to Rozene’s husband next. When he was done with his introduction, Kimi went back to Koko. Each of the kids climbed up on the hospital bed for their introductions. As I waited for each to say their name to the baby, I maintained the foot of space between me and Petah.

When was she going to get the hint? The shoulder I’d always tried to keep lukewarm needed to turn icy cold.

The moment the naming was done, I walked to Koko’s side and dropped another kiss on her cheek. “Congratulations. Get some rest, okay?”

“You’re leaving?”

“The roads are icy,” I lied. “Don’t want to drive on them in the dark.”

Koko frowned. “Fine. I guess we’ll see you when we see you.”

“Yep.”

I bit my tongue so I wouldn’t point out for the tenth time they could always come and visit me. I’d lived in Lark Cove for five years and not once had a family member made the two-hour drive to see where I lived or where I worked.

I hugged Mom and Rozene good-bye. The embraces weren’t returned since they were just as pissed as Koko. Then with a nod and wave to the guys, I strode out the door.

“Dakota.” Dad followed me into the hallway.

I stopped walking and turned, fisting my hands on my hips. “Dad.”

“They’re looking for a new director at the economic development office.”

“Great. Hope they find someone.” Because I had a job.

Dad didn’t seem to remember that little fact. Each time I came home, he’d list off all the available jobs in the area.

“It’s time you came home,” he said. “Hasn’t it been long enough? You belong here.”

“I have a home. I belong there.”

“With your uncle,” he grumbled.

“He supports me.”

Dad didn’t have a response.

So I spun around, striding down the hallway and leaving him behind.

Every time this happened. I’d come here, and all I’d get was pressure. Not a single person asked me how I was doing. Not a single family member asked me if I was happy.

“Dakota, wait,” Petah called after me.

“Christ,” I groaned, looking at the ceiling as I stopped once again. The waiting room was only three feet away and around the corner. So close. But my escape was stopped again.

Petah caught up, brushing a lock of hair away from her face. “I just wanted to say I’m sorry. I didn’t know you’d be here. Koko called and said she’d had the baby, and I asked if it was an okay time to bring flowers. Please don’t leave because of me. I can go.”

As frustrated as I was with the entire situation, I didn’t blame Petah. I knew her well enough to know she wasn’t into games or manipulations. She didn’t realize that she was part of one. My sisters were using her as bait, a beautiful woman who might entice me to come home.

“No. It’s fine. It’s not you.”

“My offer for dinner is still on the table. You could bring your friend.”

At that exact moment, Sofia rounded the corner from the waiting room. “Oh, hey. Are you done? I was just going to find a vending machine for a soda.” She smiled at me then noticed Petah. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

“It’s fine.” Fuck. I waved Sofia over. “Sofia Kendrick, this is Petah Tatsey.”

“Hi.” Sofia stepped up and held out her hand. She stood so close to me that our elbows were touching.

Petah was sweet and soft-spoken, but she wasn’t oblivious. She noticed how easily Sofia had merged our personal bubbles. Her face fell as she shook Sofia’s hand. Then she looked up to me, her hopes shattering before my eyes. “Your coworker?”

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. “Yes, we work together.”

The pain on her face was heartbreaking. I’d never brought another woman home. It had only ever been her. I hated what I was about to do, but I sucked it up, hoping it would hurt Petah in the now so she could heal in the long run.

So she’d stop waiting around for me.

I wrapped my arm around Sofia’s shoulder and pinned her to my side. Then I kissed her temple.

Sofia stiffened, not missing Petah’s sharp breath.

I swallowed down the disgust, holding tight to Sofia as Petah stared at us both for a long moment.

Then she did something that surprised me. She straightened her spine and forced a polite smile. “Nice to meet you, Sofia. Travel safely home.”

“Shit.” I let Sofia go as Petah turned on a heel and hurried down the hallway. “I need to get out of here.”

Sofia crossed her arms over her chest, glaring at my profile.

“Look, I—”

She didn’t wait for my explanation. She walked away from me too, right through the sliding doors and outside into the cold.

I caught up to her quickly, keeping pace as she marched through the parking lot to my truck.

Her arms were still crossed as she waited for me to unlock and open her door. She didn’t take my hand when I offered it to help her inside the cab.

Shutting the door on her side, I jogged around to the other and climbed in. The truck roared to life, the heat quickly chasing away the winter cold as we sat in the parking lot.

It didn’t do much to thaw out my passenger.

“Is that why you invited me along?” she asked. “Am I just the someone you needed to piss off your family?”

“No.”

“Then why did you shove me in that woman’s face? So I could break her heart?”

“I’m sorry.” I sighed. “That was my ex-girlfriend.”

“I figured that one out.”

“She needs to move on.”

“Then be a man and tell her to move on,” she snapped. “I’ve played every game in the book, Dakota. Every. Single. One. I’m done with that. If you need a pretty face at your side to send a message, find a different one.”

“I didn’t know she was going to be here.”

“Doesn’t matter,” she fired back.

“You’re right.”

She huffed and stared out her window. The air vents in the dash blew a loose strand of hair around her cheek.

“Sofia.” I reached for her hand, taking it off her lap. “I didn’t mean to use you. That’s not why I brought you today. I just wanted someone here who was on my side. But you’re right, I played a game with Petah. The end game. She’s gotta move on. Maybe now she will.”

Sofia blew out a long breath and laced her fingers with mine. “I guess . . . I guess it just surprised me. Besides, it’s probably better to make me the bad guy since I’m never coming back.”

“Right.”

The one woman I’d brought along to meet my family was leaving.

My family would probably be glad to know she’d be gone in three days.

But me? I wasn’t sure how I’d go back home and not wish she were by my side.