Page 60 of Power Play

“Baby girl why are you crying?” he asks, cupping my face.

“I just hate it. I hate that you’ve had to go through all of this alone. I hate that she left you and Rory, but really, I just hate that I couldn’t be there for you through all of this. I wish I could shoulder some of this for you, made you feel not so alone.”

“You’re here now,” Rex says, his thumb gently wiping my tears away. “And to me, that’s everything.”

Unable to stop myself, I pull Rex down, our lips meeting in a kiss full of passion and raw emotion. Deep down, I know I’m lying to myself when I say there’s no way it could be love, but there’s no way either of us is ready to cross that bridge and admit that yet.

Nibbling his lip, I slow the kiss down before pulling back to look him in the eye. “I’m here now, Rex. You’ve got me,” I tell him, laughing when he leans forward and picks me up with ease.

“Fuck the nachos. I’ll clean it in the morning,” Rex grumbles before walking back inside and carrying me to my room. “I’m going to spend the rest of the night fucking you, making you realize just how perfect you are.”

And he does. Over and over until the sun finally comes up.

17

REX

Sneaking into my own home this morning made me feel ridiculous, like I was back in high school trying to hide from my parents. Except now, I’m hiding from a cute little four-year-old and my nosy ass sister who stayed the night with her. Thankfully, when I got home, they were both still asleep, so I was able to slip into my room without an interrogation.

My sisters a smart lady, and she knows I’ve felt like shit ever since she caught Sawyer and I together. Why do I say caught like I was doing something wrong? If anyone would be thrilled about it, it’d be her. Hell, Stella is the leader of the pack in trying to get me to date again, she’d be over the moon. But honestly, I’m not quite ready for celebrations and confetti all over my apartment, so I’m avoiding that conversation for the time being.

Besides, today isn’t about that. Today is all about Rory. I’ve planned it all out; it’s our first daddy-daughter date here in the city. I figured it’s been a bit of a transition with me working more, and it might be nice to get out and do something fun. I just need a quick shower, and I’ll be ready to make breakfast with everyone.

By the time it’s 8 a.m., both Rory and Stella are stumbling out of her room. Stella’s grumbling, in search of coffee, while Ro makes a bee-line for me.

“Daddy! Morning, Daddy!” Rory says, immediately wide awake. “How are you? I missed you last night!”

“Hi, princess. I missed you too! Did you and Auntie Lala have a good time?” I ask, wrapping her in a big hug.

“Yes, we did, daddy. We watched movies and had popcorn…maybe a couple sour peoples!”

“Did you have a good night with Trevor?” Stella asks from her spot at the counter, obviously changing the subject. She has her coffee now, so she’s much more civilized. Giving me a small smile, she adds on with a knowing smirk, “Do anything fun?”

Stella has hung out with me and my friends before, so she’s aware that we are known to get into trouble. She thinks it’s great, which was really fucking helpful growing up. Our parents listened to her much easier than us, so she got us out of a lot of trouble. It’s probably why Trevor and she have remained close; there’s a lot of history between the three of us, and we stuck together through it all. She may be a pain in my ass, but she’s still one of my best friends.

Although, I’m still not ready to tell her about Sawyer.

“Just the usual. Had dinner with Trevor, but of course he invited the rest of the guys,” I say, attempting to sound nonchalant as I clean up their plates from last night’s dinner.

“Sorry about that. Rory and I fell asleep after we ate,” Stella says.

“Wait. Didn’t Cade make you guys dinner? I’m sure you knew all about their plans then, you brat.”

She smiles, unable to hide it anymore. “Hey, Ro, go get your chef stuff from the playroom so you can help your daddy cook us pancakes, okay?” As soon as she runs off, Stella turns back to me. “Of course, I knew. Who do you think told them about that morning when you kicked her out right in front of me? I knew you wouldn’t listen to me, so I enlisted reinforcements.”

“Help with what! I didn’t do anything wrong. I just didn’t want Rory seeing Sawyer in my place,” I exclaim.

My sister glares at me, it’s unnerving as fuck. Sometimes I think she can read my mind or something because she can always get me to spill my deepest darkest secrets.

Just another reason she’s a pain in my ass.

“I thought you were more concerned that Sawyer was Rory’s dance teacher, who she loved so much. That not a concern anymore?” she questions.

“I’m not getting out of this conversation, am I?” I grumble.

“Nope, it’s funny that you thought you would.”

“Give me twenty minutes to whip these pancakes up with Ro, and I’ll spill. Still don’t need the little one knowing all about it just yet,” I say with a serious look directed at Stella.

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