He dips a finger in the cream and glides his hand over the curve of my ass with the most delicate and gentlest of touches. Like a feather blowing over me in the breeze. “Does that hurt?”
I shake my head, unable to speak, fearing he’ll hear the desire in my voice and the longing for him to move his hand a little lower between my cheeks. If he did, he’d find me soaking wet for him as he did last night, only for him.
He draws more cream from the tub and lathers up the other cheek, massaging gently. “I won’t hurt you again. I’m sorry. But I need you to promise me you’ll stay away from them.”
I want to tell him he didn’t hurt me, not really. I can take a beating and what he gave me was nothing more than a good spanking that I surprisingly enjoyed. But the disappointment in his eyes is what hurt. The sting from my betrayal and disobeying him. “I promise.”
His movements halt when I promise to obey. He lifts the elastic to my clothes and pulls them back over my ass. I risk a glance into his eyes, to find them much like my own, filled with desire and a promise.
“I got you something else.”
My eyes widen as he slides a box towards me. “You got me a gift?”
He quirks a cocky grin, one I’ve missed seeing these last few days. “Open it.”
I sit up on the bed in front of him, forgetting all about wincing and keeping up the charade of my wounded ass. Unwrapping the plain packaging that gives nothing away, my body floods with warmth. The only time I received gifts was birthdays and Christmas and even then, it was out of obligation with no true love or meaning behind it.
Lifting the purple peen shaped vibrator from its casing, a laugh bursts from my lips.
“Now you can take care of business.” His eyes dance with something I haven’t seen before. His smile widens, giving me a hint of the boy he was from a less troubled time.
I hit him across the arm with my new toy, a smile playing on my lips. “I’m pretty sure this is not the sort of gift fathers give their daughters.”
He leans into my ear. “I told you, already. I’m not your father.” His warm breath catches on my neck, sending a shiver straight to my core.
My movements freeze, along with my breath and the only thing I feel is the pulse in my throbbing clit, swelling my lips and soaking my knickers. With trembling hands, I place the purple peen back in its box.
“Will you leave the tracking app on your phone? It will give me peace of mind to know where you are.”
“All right.” It’s not like I have anything to hide. It’s also really nice to have someone concerned about my whereabouts.
“I put a tracker in your car, too.”
“Who are you?” I snort.
“I’m someone who’s been hurt and doesn’t want history repeating itself.” He lifts from the bed with a warm smile and makes his way to the door.
“Wait.”
He turns to face me.
“That business this morning with the police. Did you smash his window? I won’t say anything if you did.”
“How could I? I was here all night.” He jerks his chin and leaves the room. I didn’t hear him last night, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t go when I was asleep. Perhaps it was just a coincidence. People break into cars all the time. I’ve had my mini broken into before. My old girl has been through the wars a few times, much like myself, but we always come back stronger.
14
KANE
Belle follows me into the workshop as she does every morning at the crack of dawn. I’ve never been one to sleep in, and I’m thankful when the day comes and the nightmares fade. It’s always the same dream. Ali haunting me. I used to welcome it, knowing it was all I had left of her, but lately they’ve become a torment, reminding me I’ll never be able to fulfil the dreams I had for us, not with her and not with anyone.
Lilly often said she couldn’t compete with a ghost. We had many fights over it and I always choose the easy option. You can’t argue with a ghost. I tried so hard with Lilly to be the man she deserved. She knows all my secrets, and she still wanted me, even though I never deserved her or anyone. But I want to deserve Vi. I want to be the man she needs, a father figure she can turn to. I can do that for her.
I rummage around the workshop, knowing I have some spare planks of oak lying around, and get to work on making her some furniture for her room. It’s been a long time since I did any work on the house and since she’s returned, I want to give her a comfortable space to live. Finally, I have a sense of purpose and something to live for with her.
The door opens and Belle jumps up, wagging her tail. Sunlight shines behind Vi, catching her violet hair, giving her a lilac aura and a calming presence. She steps forward with a plate of her signature pancakes.
“Extra syrup for you.” She raises the plate and the cup of coffee in her hand, then turns to place them on Mrs Walker’s dresser.
