“Yes. Super lazy. I slept in, took a bath, read a book…”
“That sounds like a great day. What did you read?”
“Oh, just a paperback from your shelf. I hope that was okay.”
He noticed her gaze turned slightly toward the family room before she focused back on him. What was she trying not to look at? “Of course that’s okay. What did you read?”
Her eyes darted back and forth before she looked up at the ceiling. Those interrogation techniques the military taught him came in handy with a little girl who was obviously avoiding the truth. That focus upward told him she was searching for something to tell him.
Max walked to her side and tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear. “Did you find one of my Daddy books?” he asked softly.
Saylor froze.
He waited patiently for her to answer. Silence stretched between them.
Finally, she nodded. “Sorry.”
“You don’t need to apologize. If they were top secret, I’d have them under lock and key.”
“But it had all your private notes and highlights.” Saylor swallowed hard before continuing, “Do you really want all the things in that book?”
“I want everything that is right for us—for you. All a daddy wants is to provide what his little girl wants as well as what she needs. Did something scare you in the book?”
“I don’t know about the embarrassing stuff,” she muttered, looking away.
“Look at me, Saylor.” He waited until her gaze met his. Her pretty brown eyes were clouded slightly with apprehension. “If something in that book is a hard no for you, we’ll talk about it. You probably saw something I disagreed with as you read. I’m pretty opinionated about punishment and consequences. How about if we look at the book this weekend when we have more time? Can you not stress about it for a couple more days?”
“Maybe I could ask a couple questions?”
“Of course. You can ask anything you want. Go grab the book while I put the steaks on and we’ll talk over dinner.”
“Thank you, Daddy.”
“Anything for you, little girl,” he said, kissing her lips softly.
By the time he got back inside, she’d followed his instructions and waited at the island with the book in her hands. He controlled the smile on his lips. He couldn’t wait to hear her questions.
CHAPTER 8
Saylor blinked her eyes open when her warm pillow shifted under her head. Looking into Max’s handsome face, she mumbled, “Is it morning already?”
“Not for you, little girl. Go back to sleep.” He leaned forward to kiss her softly before easing away from her.
Saylor tightened her arms around his neck. She didn’t want to let him go. “I’ll get up with you. Let me go get you breakfast while you shower. I can scramble eggs like a boss.”
“I’ll grab a protein bar when I get out of the shower. No cooking for little girls, remember?”
“Max, I’ve been cooking for myself for years.”
“That was before we met.” He kissed her softly again before rolling out of bed. Max tucked the covers back around her. “Go back to sleep. It’s way too early for you to be awake.”
Toasty warm, Saylor decided she’d get up when he got out of the shower. Her eyes drifted shut as the water came on inthe bathroom. When she opened her eyes again, the room was brightly sunlit, and the house was quiet.
“What?” Saylor pushed herself up to sit on the mattress. How had she fallen asleep so soundly? A few images of their lovemaking flashed through her brain. Despite her nervousness about asking Max questions, she’d barely made it through dinner last night with her eyes open. The combination of stimulation and worry about having the book discussion with him had sapped her energy.
Max had held her on his lap and fed her the most delicious steak along with expertly roasted veggies. She hadn’t devoured a meal like that in forever. She’d quickly relaxed in his care. Max made everything amazing and eliminated any awkwardness between them as he cared for her.
She stared up at the ceiling, bracing herself to rejoin the real world. She couldn’t simply stay at his house for the rest of time. People didn’t do that, right? Meet someone and then move in with them right away?
