The Single Dad: Girl’s Sexual Awakening

I tucked my unruly hair behind my ears. “I don’t regret it for a second.”

“Good luck with school. I have a feeling it’s going to go great for you.”

I grinned. “Thank you-and for you too. Wear that crown and show those boys at the law firm what it looks like when a girl kicks ass.”

“Ohhh, yes. I plan to.”

I waved good-bye and returned to Ford’s room, bringing the coffee into bed. Even though I’d been quiet, the movement of the mattress caused him to stir, his eyes gradually opening, meeting mine.

God.

He was perfection in the morning. Hair completely messy, beard a little thicker than it had been last night, a stare that was lusty and feral.

I was ready for whatever he wanted to do to me.

“Good morning,” I said softly.

He eyed the cup, pulling the comforter up to his abs as he sat up and leaned his back against the headboard. “Morning.”

“I met your cousin. She told me where I could find a mug.” I smiled. “She’s really lovely.”

He lifted a remote off the nightstand and held it toward the windows, the blinds suddenly opening. “Was she out there alone?”

“Yes.” I took a deep breath. “Your daughter is still asleep.”

He ran his hand over his hair, attempting to tame it. “I probably should have told you.” He paused. “She’s the reason I didn’t want to come back here last night.”

“I understand.” I looked down at the cup. “This is … I don’t know what this is, but you don’t owe me an explanation.”

“I still want to give you one.” He continued to drag his palm over his hair, but now, I had a feeling it was for a different reason. “I’m a single dad, and I’ve never brought a woman I’m dating around my daughter. It’s not that I’m against the idea; I just haven’t been in a long-term, committed relationship since she was born. It’s never felt right, and dating is hard when I have a daughter.”

I put my hand on his stomach. “I really do understand, Ford.”Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Before he could ask why or say another word, we were interrupted by his phone.

He looked away to lift it off his nightstand. “One second. This is my assistant.” He held his cell to his ear and said, “Good morning.” He was quiet for several seconds. “I want you to vet them. If they pass your test, send me their resumes, and if I like what I see, we’ll set up interviews.” He paused again. “Thank you.”

I waited until he hung up to ask, “Are you hiring another assistant?”

He shook his head. “A nanny.” He stole my coffee and took a sip. “Hannah, my cousin whom you met, can’t do it anymore. She’s gotten too busy.”

“But she’s going to kick ass at your law firm.”

He laughed. “I see you two talked.” He took another drink from the cup. “Yes, she most certainly will. But that still leaves me in a predicament since I can’t exactly leave Everly alone.”

The E that was sewn on the little pink chair.

“Everly,” I whispered. “That’s beautiful.”

He handed the coffee back to me. “That was my choosing … not her mother’s.”

His tone told me there was a story there. One that was complicated, and his mention of being a single dad only emphasized that, but I decided not to ask.

If and when he wanted to talk about it, he would.

His hand went to my cheek, his thumb brushing across my lips in a way that he’d done many times last night. Each time stirring so many sensations in my body. “I don’t want to rush you out, but Everly typically gets up in about forty-five minutes. That’ll give me just enough time to drive you home, assuming you don’t live too far from here, and come back to make her breakfast.”

“That’s cute.”

His brows rose. “Breakfast is?”

“That you want to be here when she wakes, that you cook for her-all the things.”

He took my coffee again, this time setting it by his phone, and he caged me in his arms, moving me flat on his bed so he could climb on top of me.

I was completely full of Ford.

The heat of his skin, the citrus tones of his cologne. The scratchiness of his beard as he dragged it across me.

Everything tickled.

And fluttered.

“Do you know how sexy you look in my shirt?” He was kissing around the collar, and my head moved from side to side to give him more access. “How I want nothing more than to rip it off you and fucking devour you again.”

But he couldn’t.

Because of Everly.

I could accept that.

He hovered over my face, and I held his cheek and said, “I can feel …”

He was naked, his hard-on pressing against the button-down, the thin material the only thing separating us.

“Last night was amazing,” I continued.

His eyes closed, and he kissed my cheek. “I had a great time too.” He said nothing for a few seconds and then, “I’d like to see you again.”

A tingle erupted between my legs. “You would?”

His lips were only inches from mine. “Why are you questioning that?” He shifted to my neck, tasting me, like he was discovering new skin.

“It just sounded like you don’t date much, so … I don’t know. I just assumed.”

“I don’t, but it sounded like you understood my circumstances.”

I nodded. “That’s true.”

He returned to that same spot on my neck. Kissing. Caressing. “Then, yes, I most definitely would like to see you again.”

He was holding himself up with his arms, and I skimmed them, feeling the muscles bulge on each side. “Give me your phone. I’ll save my number.”