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“Cold?” he asked. I shook my head because I didn’t trust myself to speak.

Dave shifted his body, so his back was against the corner of the couch and now he was using his hands to rub both my feet. I tried, and failed, not to squirm at the way his fingers dug into my feet. Stroking up and down before squeezing my heel with the rough, calloused palm of his hands right before they started to move upward.

“Feel good?” he asked, his dark gaze facing forward.

“Mmhmm,” I half-squeaked, half-moaned in answer.

His hands moved to my ankles, and he squeezed, his grip tight and warm without hurting me. They moved up my legs, stroking my calves, relieving the pressure I didn’t know existed. Soft, breathy moans escaped from me, and Dave pulled me closer, making my back hit the couch. When I looked up, he was suddenly there, his strong body immediately finding its way home between my legs. Home?

“You’re so damn pretty, Roxie.”

“You never call me Roxie,” I noted, surprised I could string two words together.

“I didn’t want to be like everyone else in your life,” he shared, vulnerability shining through. A breath hitched in the middle of my throat, and that thing that cracked earlier? It splintered again, making even more space for him. With a mind of their own and out of my control, my hands rose to cup his face.

“You’re not like anyone else in my life, Dave,” I whispered.

“Rox—“

“You’re not. I mean…” I licked my lips. “You’ve been sweet⁠—“

“Even if I bullied you to come spend time with me here?”

“So, you’re admitting you’re a bully?” I asked, like ever the smartass I was. He smirked and shrugged. I bit my lower lip, a question burning on my tongue. “Were you really telling the truth that—“ I swallowed “—you’ve never brought anyone here?” I asked, not sure if he’d meant that or why it mattered. It was just so hard to believe a guy like Dave, who I knew had been playing the field off and on the diamond, wouldn’t have ever brought anyone over. The place was primed to be a hookup spot. Privacy. Thick walls without anyone seeing who was coming or going from the place.

“Only you.”

“Wow. Really?”

“Hmm.” His face dipped closer, and I knew by the way he stared at my mouth that he was thinking about kissing me. “Why is that so hard to believe, honey?”

“I don’t know.” My voice softened as I looked away, feeling like he could see right through me. My eyes caught on the coffee table. Not only did it have things for the buried treasure he’d introduced me to, but it had all my favorites.

“How did you know all those snacks on the table were my favorite?” I met his gaze once again. I stroked his face and liked the way he leaned into my touch.

“I pay attention,” he rumbled.

“And my pj’s?” A dark manly brow rose on his face.

“I pay attention,” he repeated.

“Hmm, so…” I brushed his hair back. “You didn’t like follow me around the mall?”

“Me?” His eyes lit up as he feigned innocence. “Daddy would never.” He winked, and I laughed. He brushed his nose against mine. “But the thing inside me? The one you woke up and stirred to life? He might do anything to make sure you’re safe.”

“It was a mall.”

“And maybe you’d had midterms the week before and I hadn’t seen you as much.”

“Because you didn’t summon me over.”

“You were studying.” He might have seemed like an asshole, forcing me to come over, but as my thoughts drifted to that week, even on the nights he requested I get here early, he always had food set out on the table and left me alone to work. I’d thought it had been me who had insisted I needed to study, but maybe…

Maybe Daddy had prioritized my needs a lot longer than I’d realized.

“I like that we match,” I said, letting it go. He’d all but admitted to following me around. What else would I need to know?

“Me too,” he rumbled, lightly brushing his lips against mine.