“Yes, Daddy.” Her eyes glaze over.

“Good. Now let’s get you up and eating.” It’s only thanks to my strict military background that I don’t give away that I know her entire schedule. I want her to tell me because if she’s like most other women, she just might feel betrayed that I know everything about her day-to-day life.

“I don’t have any clothes,” she whispers, biting on that lip again.

Grinning, I get up and go to the closet, retrieving a pair of shorts and a matching top I bought just for her, tags still on. Grabbing a pair of chunky-healed ankle boots, I present them to her.

I have an entire wardrobe I purchased for this woman, and she has no idea about any of it. “Why do you have women’s clothes?” she asks, and for the first time since covering her with my umbrella yesterday, I don’t have a plausible answer. “I’m not wearing some other woman’s clothes, Galen.” There's anger on her face and hurt in her voice. Both caused by me.

So, I lie my ass off. “My friend's wife left them here by accident a few months ago. She told me to keep them as a just in case.” Casually shrugging, I put the clothing on the bed and hope to hell she doesn’t ask for more details.

She gives me a skeptical scowl as she looks down at the items. I already know they’re her size and style because I’ve been watching her so damn closely.

“The tags are still on.” Piper lifts the shirt to her chest as she gets out of bed.

“Yup.” I’m fucking dying to see her in them. The shorts are tight and go to mid-thigh, and I’m sure the white denim will mold to her round ass. The shirt is also white, loose-fitting with an off-the-shoulder sleeve, while the back has a slit in it, and the hem reaches the top of her belly button, leaving a whole lot to the imagination.

“Uhm.” She hesitates when she realizes how revealing the pieces could potentially be. “Marcus.” I want to curse when she says his name. “He said clothes like this make me a cocktease.” I fucking hate the tears I hear in her voice once again.

“Good, that’s exactly what I want. Fucking tease me all you can, baby doll.” I fucking love the idea of her walking around in public, showing off what only I get to enjoy.

“But–” I stop her before she starts.

“He your man?” Her head shakes so vehemently that I worry she might give herself a concussion. “That’s right, I am, and baby, I want nothing more than for other men to drool over what they’ll never have.”

“You do?” I give her a sharp nod. Her smile is slow to appear, but fuck is it stunning and illuminates her entire face. “Okay.”

“Get dressed. Do not wash my fucking cum off, and meet me in the kitchen. There’s already an extra toothbrush in the bathroom for you.” Leaving is the last thing I want to do, but I force myself back downstairs to get her breakfast plated and at the table before fixing her iced coffee how she likes it.

Serving Piper gives me a sense of purpose I hadn’t known was missing until I caught that glimpse of her. My life changed for the better that day, and I couldn’t be fucking happier about it than I am right now.

Just as I hear Piper making her way down to me, my phone rings, and if not for the name flashing across the screen, I’d ignore it. “Yeah, Ma?” When Piper enters the room, I point to the plate at the table, and she gifts me with a radiant smile. She looks lighter now than she has from the first time I saw her all those months ago.

“Sweetheart, I need a huge favor.” She’s so used to my abrupt greetings that she plows right on through to her ask.

“What’s that?” Leaning against the counter, I watch Piper slather butter all over her French toast before pouring a healthy dose of syrup over top and onto her bacon.

“It’s Marcus.” I sigh at the mention of his name.

“What about him?” I grunt, making my displeasure known.

There’s a pause, and I already know I’m not going to like it. “Well, he and his girlfriend, Piper…I’ve mentioned her to you before…they got into an argument last night. He’s pretty upset about it. He could use some brotherly advice.” I snort and can almost see her rolling her eyes at me. “Please, Galen, he’s despondent. He was going to propose. There’s no girl better than Piper, and I’d hate to lose her, too.” Oh, you won’t, I think covetously as I watch the aforementioned girl eating slowly, almost like she’s waiting for me to take her plate away.

“Maybe the girl is better off without him,” I mutter as I bring Piper her coffee. The way her eyes light up is pure magic. This woman is desperate to be taken care of but has difficulty relinquishing control. I’ll strip that from her one step at a time because my new life’s mission is to serve her.

“Galen.” Ma’s growl is cute. “You can’t say things like that about your brother.”

Sure, I can. I do it all the time. I just don’t tell her that. “Fine, Ma, I’ll talk to the brat, but I’m not helping him fix something he broke.” And I know he broke it. He always does.

“Oh, thank you, darling.”

Before she can ask when I’ll be bringing a girl around, I say, “I’ve gotta go, Ma. My girl needs a ride.”

“Your girl!” She squeals with delight like I knew she would as I hang up. A text comes over quickly, asking when I’ll be bringing her around. I don’t answer her, but I already know. Just as soon as I can knock her ass up.

CHAPTER 5

Piper