Page 59 of Taming Her Temptations

“Both of you sit down right now and act like respectable hosts.” I raise my voice.

They both turn to me in surprise.

“Rules of etiquette,” I lift my index finger. “One. Always respect the seat assignments.”

Dean looks at Levi smugly.

“And two,” I continue. “Never threaten physical harm on someone and in general, refrain from making a scene.”

That humbles Dean right out.

“Now sit down and let’s all make some polite conversation and enjoy the food, shall we?” Even though it’s a question, I say it as a command.

Dean sits down and Levi sits up straighter, clearly thinking he won this round.

And I’ll let him think that as long as we get through this lunch without another outburst.

“So,” my dad begins after everyone is seated. He steeples his fingers under his chin and looks between Dean, Asher, and Levi. “When was someone going to tell me all three of you are dating my daughter?”

I inhale the sip of lemon water I just put to my lips and start choking, spitting water out all over the table. Odette lets out a hysterical laugh while Levi hits my back in an attempt to stop me from choking.

“Dad,” I finally grit out after I compose myself. My voice is hoarse.

My dad shrugs. “You’ve barely come home this week, so I vowed to your brother that I’d figure out who you’re, uh, dating.”

All the blood rushes to my cheeks. Levi takes my hand under the table and I cling to it for dear life.

“At first, I thought it must be Asher. As he’s been coming over to help me with things around the house and looks at you like you’re the sun and he’s a crocus coming up after a rough winter.”

I bring my spare hand to my face as if it could somehow shield me from everyone seeing my entire body bursting into flames from mortification. Does my dad really need to use his poetic language now?

“Oh, that’s a beautiful analogy,” Odette clucks approvingly. My dad sits up taller at the compliment and nods at her in thanks.

Don’t encourage him, Odette.

“Then when I got here, I realized that I might be missing something because Levi can’t keep his hands off you. I mean that in a PG way, of course,” he eyes Levi. I debate dropping his hand, but he just squeezes me tighter. “He’s constantly checking in on you with little touches. It reminds me of how I was with your mom. I needed to touch her to know she was real some days.”

My heart leaps at the comparison, both from nerves and joy. I love hearing from my dad how much he loved my mom. It always restores my faith in the world. But it’s also a lot of pressure. I don’t even know what these men are to me, technically.

“And then, Dean.” My dad grins. “The man can’t even bear the thought of not sitting next to you for the span of a lunch. Those were some primal caveman genes coming out if I’ve ever seen them.”

Dean lifts his glass to my dad. “Thanks, sir,” as if this could be nothing but a compliment.

I laugh, feeling more at ease in my own skin.

“Don’t thank me yet,” he says, cocking an eyebrow at each of them.

Okay, nevermind. All ease is completely erased.

“See, I have one big regret.” He continues and I swallow hard, readying myself for what he’s about to say. “When I lost my wife, their mother, my world entirely crumbled. I lost myself even though I was supposed to be the lifeboat for my kids. Ryan and Ruby had to not only keep me afloat, but they had to steer the ship for a few years. No matter how heartbroken I was, it never should have come to that, and I regret it every day.”

My eyes well up with emotion. I take a deep breath, really trying not to cry. I hate crying and crying at a formal luncheon is most definitely poor etiquette. But my dad has never said anything like this to me before. He’s hinted at it, but nothing this direct.

“Dad,” Ryan objects. “You did everything you could.”

I nod, and once I have a grasp on my emotions, I finally speak. “I’ve never once blamed you for anything. You were heartbroken.”

He shakes his head. “It’s not an excuse. And I can understand why you went to Steven. You saw direction, where I saw controlling. You saw a stable future, where I saw a lack of passion. You saw safety, where I saw dullness. I should have intervened sooner. I should have told you he’s no right for you.”

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