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“And you’re pretty good looking. All celebrities need some sexy arm candy, you know.”
I tug her in close and give her a squeeze. “Arm candy, huh?”
“Yep.” She nods, her expression playful. “Arm candy is very important.”
Both of us pause. Despite the light-hearted banter, there’s a sudden awkwardness between us. Like there’s something we both need to say, but neither of wants to be the first to bring it up. In the end, I decide to bite the bullet.
“What is your father going to think? Of me and you together, I mean.” I hope the worry I feel isn’t evident in my voice.
“He’ll like you, don’t worry. You’re literally the only man on the planet who can keep me in line. He’ll love you!”
As much as I love her confidence, I’m still hesitant. I’m much older than her, after all. I’m more worldly. More experienced.
“What about your friends? What will they think of our age gap? And my non-celebrity status?” This shouldn’t bother me so much. I wish it didn’t. But it does.
Jade, in typical Jade fashion, turns to me, sass dancing in her eyes. “Are you worried about losing me, Daddy? Do you really think I would choose my friends over you?”
“No.” I shake my head. “That’s not it. It’s just…” How do I word this? “It’s just… they don’t know me. They might think I’m too old for you.”
Jade grabs my hand, squeezes it.
“I don’t care what they think. I really don’t. And neither should you!” She wraps her arms around my neck and pulls my head down, stretching up so she can kiss me again. “I love you, Jaxon. And my friends will love you too. But if they don’t… fuck them.”
I chuckle. “You’re not allowed to swear, baby girl. But I think I’ll let you off just this once.”
She leans into me, snug against my chest, hugging me tightly. I love the way her body feels nestled against mine. She fits there so perfectly, like we truly were made for each other.
“You’re not trying to break up with me, are you?” she murmurs against my shirt.
“No, sweetheart.” I shake my head and lower my lips to kiss her hair. “I’m not going anywhere, baby. I’ll be right here with you. And when you rock up to that movie set of your father’s, I’m going to be watching from the sidelines and you’re going to make me proud.”
Bending down, I lower my mouth to hers, capturing her lips in a bruising, urgent kiss.
“I’m going to make you proud every day, Daddy.”
EPILOGUE
Two years later…
Jade
Jaxon scrubs up well. It’s a while since I’ve seen him in a tuxedo, but he’s wearing one now, his coattails hiding his sexy ass. His black suit looks stunning against his dark skin and hair, and his blue tie matches my dress.
He’s waiting in the foyer for me, and as I come down on my father’s arm, my evening gown hovering just above the floor, his eyes meet mine and he smiles.
We’re mostly based in New Zealand now, and we only flew in last night, especially for this red-carpet event. This Hollywood mansion no longer feels like my home.
“You’re beautiful, baby girl. I love you.” He mouths the words, but I hear them in my head too, spoken in his deep, rumbly, sexy tone.
At the bottom of the stairs, I reach out for his hand. He lifts mine to his mouth, kisses my knuckles.
“I can’t wait to see you win your Oscar, sweetheart.”
I smile but raise my eyebrows in question. “And if I don’t?”
He kisses my forehead, being careful not to smudge my makeup or muss up my hair. He fingers my diamond earrings—a gift from him.
“There’ll be more opportunities. We’ll dress up all fancy and do it all again next year. Or the year after.”
