Page 18 of Not Your Little Girl Anymore

I shrug, not bothering to answer Samantha.

“Oh my god. Alec Sokolov. What the fuck?” My jaw ticks, and I pluck a smoke from my pack before slipping it into my jacket pocket. Then I glide the cigarette behind my ear. Samantha continues before I get the chance to say anything. “Tell me. How do you benefit from this? I mean, I’ve helped keep you out of jail three times over the past seven years. If you are going to be screwing around with her, I won’t be there to back you up next time.”

“Then don’t be. I can handle myself.”

Her eyes drift to the phone she took out of her pocket. “Whatever, Alec. You have fun with whatever the fuck you think is going to benefit you. But whatever you do, don’t drag this band down with it. We worked too hard for you to screw it up.”

She swings the door open and strides out without another word.

Blowing out a breath of aggravation, I grip the handle of my guitar case. I lock the studio door and walk up the stairs into my apartment to put my guitar away.

I freeze on my way down through the small hallway. My lips move up on their own accord as I look through the window at a short blond walking past the building.

My building.

If fate exists, I’d assume this is it.

I open the door, hoping she doesn’t notice I’m right here. Leaning against the railing, I take her in for a beat. My eyes skim along her frame, pausing on her perfect round ass swaying as she walks slowly.

How can the man I hate more than anything in this entire world have such a beautiful daughter?

Before I know it, I am walking behind her. Maybe a little too close. I can smell her pomegranate shampoo.

I notice a white cord peeking out of the back pocket of her jean shorts and trailing up through strands of her short hair. She has no idea I’m following her.

That is until she pulls her phone out and wraps the cord around it.

“Stalking much.” There’s no question in her tone.

I can’t help the grin that appears on my face. “I could ask the same thing.”

Finally, she stops walking and turns around. “How is that?”

“Well, I live there.” I point my thumb over my shoulder.

Her eyes move past me, looking at the building. I study her as she focuses. Those eyes are the most beautiful shade of green I’ve ever laid my eyes on. A selfish part of me is thankful they are nothing like her father’s brown eyes.

She looks back at me with slightly raised eyebrows. “You live above a music studio. Why does that not surprise me?”

I look down at my feet, my smile not wavering. “Where are you heading anyway?”

From my peripheral, I see her shrug. My heart nearly stops as I take in her flawless and creamy skin. I think about how perfect she’d look underneath me, and my cock stirs a little behind my jeans. I shove the thought aside, thinking of anything but what she feels like—tastes like.

Stick to the plan, Alec.

“Do you want to get some coffee?” I ask, taking a leap of faith.

She smiles wide. A real smile. More prominent than yesterday when I was only trying to get her to cheer up. My eyes focus on the dimples in both of her cheeks.

And well… shit.

I think I just fell in love with that smile.

***

If I were smarter, I wouldn’t have suggested grabbing coffee. I wouldn’t have chosen to take her somewhere public where her father could walk in at any given moment. Too bad my feelings got in the way of my logical thinking.

Even if I wanted to, it’s too late to back out now.

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