“I need you to be honest with me, Aiden. You can tell me that there’s nothing here or that you don’t want this and I’ll stop. I’ll stop flirting and tempting you, and I’ll just be your co-worker. But I will move on. Or you can admit that you want to see what’s happening here. No guilt about my dad—we can deal with the working together part when it comes to that. But I don’t want you to be uncomfortable at the office or feel like you can’t talk to me.”
She just completely laid it all out on the table for me, and if the choice is to risk it all or never find out, I think I’m willing to risk it all.
There’s a loud crack, and as we look to our left, a set of fireworks is going off for the holiday. It breaks the tension of the moment and gives me some time to figure out what I want to say back.
When she smiles while viewing the fireworks, I know it’s worth the risk. She wasn’t wrong when she said Collin is dead. I shouldn’t let his opinion factor into this, especially when he’s made some fucked-up decisions. The workplace part is the bigger issue, which we can likely avoid dealing with, at least for a little while.
Without touching her, I place my hands outside of her on the railing. Her back only a few inches away from my chest as I lean in to whisper against her ear.
“I want this,” I tell her. I swear I can feel her shiver at the words.
She turns away from the fireworks so she’s looking at me, her back pressed against the railing. “Dinner at my place on Sunday?” she asks. Our gazes meet, and it’s like my heart is beating frantically out of my chest. I want to touch her, kiss her, give her whatever she wants. But now is not the place, and we definitely need to talk about some things before this goes any further.
“Aren’t I supposed to be the one asking you on the date?” I joke with her and she smiles.
“You were being too slow. Do you like seafood?”
“I do.” My fist is gripping the railing so tightly I’m sure my knuckles are white.
“Perfect,” she says in a breathy tone, her eyes lingering on my lips before she meets my gaze again.
“Should I bring anything?”
“I don’t have any whiskey, so bring your favorite.” There’s another crack of a firework and employees start piling out onto the deck to watch the show.
“Sunday,” I say, letting the skin briefly touch hers before removing my hands and pulling back to stand next to her.
Fortunately for all of us, Zach and Tabitha choose another spot to watch the show, and I get to stand here and admire the beautiful girl I’m done holding back from as I watch her glow against the lights of the glittery explosions.
11
DADDY KINK 101
Sunday?Why the fuck did I say we should have our date on Sunday? I mean, I thought there was a chance we might be hungover Saturday, and I didn’t want to risk it. But it’s nearly 2 p.m. on Sunday and my nerves are shot. All I can think about is Aiden is coming over here to the cottage that I still don’t completely think of as my home yet. There’s too many goddamn lighthouses in here for me to consider it mine.
What is he going to want to know? How far will things go? Is he going to be concerned that I’ve only been out of my last relationship a few weeks, even though it was over long before that? Will we start something and he’ll suddenly decide it isn’t worth the risk or that he feels too guilty because I’m Collin’s biological daughter?
I opted for a sundress because they’re my favorite and I’ve noticed on more than one occasion that Aiden seems to be a big fan of my legs.
I can tell he has a dominant energy to him. Usually men who are in charge of people have that aura about them. That doesn’t mean that it transfers sexually, but seeing him at Avalon, he’s definitely got something that he’s in to.
Great, now I’m on a spiral of us being compatible. I can switch, kind of. I don’t mind taking control or initiating, but I much prefer to be told what to do, to have my pleasure in someone else’s hands.
Shit.
I’m overthinking all of this. It’s been nearly two days of overthinking and my stomach hurts. I’ve prepared our dinner for tonight, and I know my stomach is going to hurt too bad from nerves to even eat it.Awesome.
There’s a knock on my door, and I’m up immediately, opening it with what is probably too much enthusiasm.
Aiden looks sheepish as he gives me a smile, a whiskey bottle in his hand. “I know we said four, but I couldn’t wait any longer.”
“Thank God, me either.” I step to the side and let him into the home. He looks around in a nostalgic way before following me into the kitchen. I grab him a glass for his whiskey and take some white wine out of the fridge for myself. “Do you want to sit outside for a while, or are you hungry?”
“Outside is nice.”
He leads the way, opening the sliding door. The breeze feels nice today, along with the awning protecting us from the sun. We both take a seat on the lounge chairs next to each other. I wish they were connected, but then again, this is probably better. I shouldn’t get too attached if we start talking and realize we aren’t a match.
I take a sip of wine before Aiden looks over me again. “I like your dress. You look beautiful.” I can’t help the heat that takes over my chest.
