Page 14 of Slippery When Wet

She simply stood there and stared at me.

Quietly challenging me. Almost urging me with her eyes to give in. Did she really think one kiss would be enough? A part of me was almost willing to give in. I didn’t want her to do anything she didn’t want to, but she’d asked for help to come out of her shell.

She’d trusted me to help.

Abby had no idea how closely I watched her. How I had been longing to be close to her and aching to get to know her. No. I was her daddy, damn it! I was going to make sure she did what was best for her.

“You don’t want to learn how to let go and live anymore?” I asked, quietly daring her to chicken out.

“That’s not what I said.” She pouted adorably, giving me a little of that sass I thrived on.

“Good.” I smiled, my shoulders relaxed. She got in the car, and when she shut the door, she opened the window.

“What are we doing tomorrow?”

“You’re just going to have to trust me.”

“What makes you think I trust you?” she challenged. Aye, mami, you have no idea.

“The way you look at me.” I leaned in closer, my body pressed and bent at her driver’s window. “Tell me I’m wrong.”

“You’re not,” she whispered. Her eyes dipped to my mouth, and I knew what she wanted. Mostly because I was dying for the same.

“Good. Now kiss me goodbye and drive home safe.”

“Oh.” There was a flash of disappointment in her gaze. One I wanted to erase immediately.

“It’s not that I wanna leave you, baby girl.” She blinked and stared at me.

For a moment, I wanted to take it back, tell her to get in my truck and take her to my place and never let her leave. But before I could, she nodded.

“Okay,” she whispered.

I might have been the easy-going jokester around the men I’d served with and even around those who worked for me in my pool installation and maintenance business, but I was hardly the kind of man who ever repeated or explained himself.

But with Abby, I had a feeling I’d do anything to make her smile.

“I want you to rest for what I have planned tomorrow,” I explained.

It killed me.

She was finally in my space, talking to me and looking at me. I’ve kissed her! I didn’t want to let her leave. Saying goodbye was shit, but I couldn’t be an overbearing, selfish asshole. I needed to think about what she needed. Put her needs first. And she needed some rest before I woke her up bright and early.

“Okay,” she sighed with a cute little pout I wanted to kiss off her face.

“Good girl,” I praised. I could have sworn her body relaxed into mine. After a light kiss, I pulled away and reminded her to text me when she got home.

Abby

I’d been home staring at the backyard when my sister came in from her date with some tourist. I listened to her swoon and awe about this guy who sounded almost as wonderful as Abel. But no one could be as amazing as Abel. Daddy. I rubbed the back of my neck, hoping Karol wouldn’t notice the heat that hit my face.

I grabbed a pint of Ben and Jerry’s Chunkey Monkey while she went on and on about Dan Palmer before she headed off to bed, leaving me to my thoughts. I went outside and sat under the stars. Our backyard had a small, covered patio and some grass.

Pretty much a blank canvas and why my parents had wanted to gift us a makeover.

My cell pinged, and I looked down at it.

Abel: You didn’t text me you got home safe.

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