Page 68 of Stud

“And you were married there?”

I bristled at the question, hadn’t expected Ainsley to discuss my history with her father. Not that I had anything to be ashamed of, but his glower darkened with each passing second. “I was married for eight years. We got together young, and it didn’t work out.”

“So now you’re dating around, making up for lost time.”

Jesus fucking left field. “No. Now I’m volunteering at a Habitat for Humanity build, which is where I happened to meet your daughter. I wanted to contribute to the community while I figured things out.” It was bad enough Mason thought I was a player. I didn’t need him assuming I was a deadbeat, too.

He didn’t invite me to sit, didn’t make a move to be polite. “Sounds pretty convenient to me.”

I widened my stance and scanned the room for those guns Ainsley had mentioned. “I don’t have an agenda, sir. Coming home was a way for me to start fresh.”

“Not with my daughter, I hope.”

“Excuse me?”

“I know how beautiful my girl is. Know men see her as a prize. You won’t be the first I run off, and you won’t be the last. Ainsley deserves the world.”

We were in agreement there, and I had every intention of giving her just that. But he was about to get an earful. “All due respect, sir, I care for Ainsley a great deal. She is beautiful, but she’s also smart and funny as hell, and I don’t plan on letting her go, unless she doesn’t want to be with me. But that’s her decision to make, not yours.”

A glimmer lit his gray eyes, a hint of…amusement? Then he cracked his knuckles. The ink on his forearms came into view: Ainsley’s portrait beamed at me. This man was definitely devoted to his daughter.

The front door pushed open before he could pound me to a pulp, probably the other sibling joining us for this Cleaver Family Meal. Jason stopped at the threshold to the living room, assessing us with curiosity. “You must be Owen. I’m Jason, the better-looking sibling.”

“Nice to meet you.” His full cheeks reminded me of our squirrel, Lucifer, but Jason was far from ornery. He had a bit of hipster to him with his plaid shirt and skinny jeans, grinning wide as his attention flitted between Mason and me.

Mason didn’t move to greet his son. Not so much as a pleasantry offered. My girlfriend’s father pulled up to his full height and stepped toward me. Christ, the man was scary. Jason’s grin faded as he surveyed our mounting intensity.

Then he laughed.

Howling, he tossed his head back and smacked his thigh. Mason’s lips twitched, a muffled snort escaping. I stood, baffled.

When Jason recovered, he slapped my back. “She’s screwing with you, man. Dad’s a total wimp.”

What in the ever loving…?

Mason laughed outright, a guttural chuckle that bowled through the tension-filled room. “Sorry, but I can’t say no to my girl. Even when she asks me to scare her boyfriends.”

Ainsley stomped into the room and glared at her brother. “You ruined it. Dad hadn’t even told him about the shallow graves yet.”

Still on edge, I scrubbed a hand over my locked jaw. “Shallow graves?”

Mason planted his large mitt on my shoulder, leaning down close. “The ones out back, when the boyfriends get outta line.” He blew out another snort, his shoulders shaking with humor. He tipped his head to me. “You did better than most. Nice to meet a man who’ll stand up for himself.” He regarded his daughter, a lifetime of fondness in his eyes. “Love you, princess.”

Reeling from Mason’s inquisition and chiding afterward, I hadn’t quite found my feet, but the affection in the house began to set me right. They traded hugs and good-natured jokes. I didn’t sense the irritation that lingered at some family gatherings. As hard as Ainsley’s childhood had been, as much responsibility as she shouldered now, caring for her folks, there was no doubt she’d always been loved.

I stalked toward her, giving her my best playful glare. “You’re in trouble.”

Her eyes sparked with delight. “Punish me later,” she whispered.

I’d be doing that and so much more.

Dinner really was a Cleaver Family Affair. Mason and Colleen teased Ainsley about her childhood Barbie fashion shows. They razzed Jason for having glued a piece of his model airplane to his chin. Vegan lasagna was devoured as Mason asked earnestly about my woodworking. Pride swamped me when Ainsley jumped in to praise my work.

I found myself staring at her across the table, losing trail of the banter, getting lost in her bright cheeks and easy manner. I even caught Mason watching me thoughtfully a couple times. Although no longer worried I’d be having a conversation with his fist, his attention was probing. Based on the closeness between him and his daughter, I’d guess he knew about Ainsley’s ex. The cheating. How it had crushed her. I’d bet he was wondering if I’d hurt his daughter, too.

“I have an announcement.” Mason tossed his napkin on his empty plate. He shared a tender glance with his wife, both clearly pleased about something.

Ainsley perked up, clueing into whatever I was missing. “Oh my God. Did something come through?”