Page 24 of A Daddy to Love

My stomach began to ache.

I leaned toward Richard. “Please. I need to go. Can we sign now?”

Finally, Richard nodded. He stood up and rapped his spoon against his wine glass. Everyone looked up.

“I’ll like to make a toast. And then shall we sign?”

I didn’t get out of there until 11.

10

Truce

I kept reading and rereading that last text from Kairo.

I’ll be there by 11:30. Are you sure it’s not too late?

Not for me, baby. I can’t wait.

My curiosity peeked. Where had Kairo been all this time? Maybe it was about family. I knew how distracting that could be, though I rarely saw my relatives these days. What else could be so important? What secrets was this little hiding behind?

I got out the food I’d prepared. Mainly finger foods and dips. Snacks. He had said he wouldn’t be hungry. That was fine. We could nibble.

I kept peeking out my curtains to see if I could catch him driving up. That wasn’t normal for me. My mind was always relaxed and cool. But Kairo got me all lathered up. Hot. He needed to be here now so I could take care of him. More than anything, that was what I wanted. Well, and sex, too, if he wished. After those kisses last night, well, I had no more words.

I kept hearing cars pass by my driveway. Not unusual. I had neighbors. Finally, I heard something idling. I looked out to see Kairo walking up my driveway. There were lights on the road. My inside lights blinded me but I could see the vehicle’s lights as it drove away. I’d swear it was a limo.

I opened the door just as Kairo walked up. He looked different. All dressed up in a suit and tie. The purple shirt was the only item of clothing that seemed like his personality. He held Pinkster in the crook of his arm.

He spoke immediately, and fast. “I’m so sorry I’m late.”

“Welcome. I don’t care what time it is, I’m just happy to see you.”

“Things went late.” He ducked his head.

I glanced back down my driveway to be sure I had seen correctly. Yep, there was no car. He’d been dropped off by that limo.

“You didn’t drive yourself?”

“Oh, um, nope. I didn’t drive here. I took an Uber.”

I desperately wanted to ask why but Kairo had been vague about this whole night so I shut up. But that was no Uber I’d seen. No Uber driver used a limo. Why had he lied?

I led Kairo into my house and motioned him toward the couch. The food and drinks were all set up on the coffee table. He stood staring at it.

“You can sit,” I said gently.

“Can I take off my blazer?”

“Of course. Make yourself comfortable.”

“And my tie?”

I laughed. “Baby, if you don’t take off that tie I’m going to remove it for you.”

“Oh good.” He set Pinkster on the arm of the couch and dropped his suit jacket.

I picked it up and said, “How about I hang it up?”