It’s been a hell of a lot longer for me, grinding through life on monk mode. This strange jealousy zings through me like a live current.
No, I don’t fucking want to think about who else has had their dirty paws on her.
I don’t want to imagine her red-faced and screaming for anyone but me.
“I don’t know,” she whispers, picking at the last pile of noodles. I try not to fixate on her lips and fail miserably. Now that I know what she looks like with her mouth full of my cock, it’s not helping. “Life? Tell me about yourself. I deserve a few scraps after… y’know.”
I suppose she does.
I brace both hands above my head. “We’ve known each other for years. What else do you need? Not a lot to read in this open book.”
“Yeah, right. I didn’t even know you had a daughter until you stormed back into PopPop’s house,” she reminds me.
“Wasn’t relevant, back when you were young. I kept my two lives neat and separate. That’s what professionals do.”
Before, I never dared risk blurring lines between the two worlds. Before she was all grown up and tempting as hell, that was easy.
I’m so not good at this shit.
Being open. Approachable.
For her, I’lltry.
“Tell me more about the kidlet,” Cleo urges, putting her take-out box to one side and lying on her side, facing me with her head propped up in her hand. “She’s so sweet. I still wonder how that happened with a cactus for a father.”
“Careful.” My lips twitch even as I do my best to keep scowling.
“Just sayin’.”
“Yeah.” I sigh pointedly. “Kit… She’s a good kid. Little dynamo and clever as hell. I got lucky on the homework front. I just worry she’ll be a real handful when she’s older. Not because she’s prone to acting out, but because she’s impatient. She wants to experience everything, wise beyond her years. I can’t turn her loose.”
Cleo nods seriously.
Without thinking, I brush that lock of hair falling across her face. “Must be hard keeping up as a single dad. Especially with a little girl, and at her age.”
I roll on my back, holding my takeout.
“It’s not always easy. My parents help when they can, but that’s getting harder with their health issues. Of course, Leonidas stepped up a few times, what little I let him indulge with books and time off for drives down the coast. We’d stop at historical sites, see the old lighthouses and ships every summer. He demanded a full report every time.”
She smiles fondly, and so do I.
“He respected family, even when it wasn’t his. Maybe because his turned out complicated in ways he couldn’t fix.” I brush her hair again. “And Kit, she’s always been understanding with my work. Last thing I ever want to do is disappoint her or change plans. Thankfully, with your granddad as a boss, that wasn’t often.”
“Mm, good.”
“I’m glad you’re around,” I admit. Her expression lights up like the sun. “Truth be told, Kit’s always had an artsy side and I don’t have a clue what I’m doing there. I want to, but—”
“Say no more. You were helpless at The Met.”
“Thanks,” I bite off.
“You’re welcome!”
I put my takeout on the table and roll to face her, too.
“Lately, she’s been talking my ear off about this writing camp come summer, but I haven’t given her a firm answer yet. I hate the thought of her being away for weeks. Especially if our business is wrapped up by then and I have some time off to plot my next move.”
Honest to God, downtimescaresme.
