Page 54 of A Major Puck Up

Ford grins and holds his coffee cup aloft. “Just like you.”

That comment is like a punch to the gut. Shit. I shake my head. “I’m not like that anymore.” There’s no way I can admit to what I’m doing with his daughter, but I need him to know that’s not who I am anymore. The father of the woman I’m dating has to know he can trust me when he finally finds out the truth.

“Oh?” He arches his brows. “You meet someone?”

For once, I don’t give him my canned answer, that I’ve met several someones, because the one and only someone I’ve met is shuffling into the kitchen, legs bare, smile sleepy and eyes soft.

“Hey, Daddy. Gavin,” she says, zeroing in on me.

“Morning, baby girl,” Ford says.

Lowering my head, I make a mental note to never call her that. With a Herculean effort, I remain focused on my cup of coffee and not the beautiful woman that is now pressing a kiss to her father’s cheek.

“Daniel just texted that he headed back to Boston already, but I was thinking of heading into the city to see some friends and then have dinner with him tonight. Could I take one of the cars?”

“I have a car coming in an hour,” I offer. “Want to ride with me?”

“Thanks, man. Appreciate that.” Ford smiles up at Millie. “I’d take you if I could, baby girl, but I want to help Lake clean this place up, and honestly, I’m wiped. My age must be getting to me. I can’t hang like I used to.”

“That’s okay, Daddy. I’m sure Gavin will take care of me.” She gives him an innocent smile, then turns it on me.

Teeth gritted, I narrow my eyes on her. Girl loves playing with fire.

“Of course he will. He knows you’re my pride and joy. I want to see you before your flight leaves tomorrow. Think you’ll be coming back this way tonight?”

“It probably makes the most sense to stay in Boston. Want to meet up for lunch there tomorrow?”

Ford slides his phone out and taps at the screen. “I’ll have my assistant make a reservation. Gav, you want to come?”

I swallow down my nerves. How is it possible that seeing Millie could be this easy? Phone out, I pull up my calendar and pretend I’m actually checking it. It wouldn’t matter what my plans are. Even if I was meeting with the commissioner of the NHL tomorrow, I’d cancel it. “Sure. I’ve got nothing else going on.”

He nods and focuses on his phone again. Millie drops into the seat across from us and gives me a seductive smile.

It’s not until I’m mimicking the gesture that I realize Lake has been standing at the sink with a cup of tea in her hand, watching us. And the look on her face makes it clear that while Millie’s father may not have a clue what’s going on, she definitely does.

Fuck.

“So who do you have plans with today?” I ask Millie as I usher her into my apartment. Regardless of her plans, I’m stealing a little more of her time, whether she likes it or not.

With a hum, she turns in a slow circle, taking in the space. “It’s weird being back here.”

I step up closer and pull her against my chest, and with one hand in her wild curls, I angle her head so she’s forced to look at me. “Why?”

Her golden eyes are alight with humor as they search mine. “I did lose my virginity to a strange man in this apartment.”

I laugh. “I’m strange now?”

“You were a stranger that night.”

An ache forms behind my ribs. “Feels like a lifetime ago.”

She nods.

“I hope I was gentle enough with you.” I loosen my hold on her hair but don’t remove my hand. Part of me still hates the way our story began. That I was her revenge. But the trepidation that hits every time I think about it is soothed, because we’re so much more than that now.

“You were perfect.” Her voice and expression are soft, genuine. “I’m happy it was you.”

I press my lips to hers, sweeping my tongue into her mouth and groaning. “If it had been anyone else, I’d kill them.”

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