Page 95 of Daddy By Design

Unable to listen to my own inner monologue any longer, I went out to face him.

At least he didn’t run this time. He was standing by the window with his sunglasses on once more, his hands in his pockets. Even if I wanted to box his ears in, I couldn’t resist a slow perusal of his shoulders down to his bitable butt.

Every inch of him made me ache in what should be a good way.

Until he ruined it with his stupid, truthful mouth.

He turned and spotted me. “Dahlia...”

I held up a hand. “I asked for the truth, and I got it. You never disappoint in that regard.”

He bowed his head. “I didn’t mean it cruelly, Hellcat.”

The balm of my nickname washed away the worst of the hurt. I knew he hadn’t meant to slice and dice me, but there was no sweetness waiting for me at the end of this...interlude.

It certainly wasn’t a romance.

He was who he was.

“No, you certainly didn’t. But I know it pisses you off to want me. It doesn’t exactly fill me with sweetness and light, pal.”

He crossed to me, and surprisingly, he cupped my face. “That’s the problem here. You’re all light and goodness. Me, not so much.”

“Don’t put me on some pedestal, Nolan. Both of us will be disappointed.” I backed away from him to go clean up our impromptu pizza party.

I handed him the box. “Have dinner on me.”

“I don’t want it.”

“Take it. I have plans tonight.”

He frowned. “With who?”

A tiny part of me wanted to say Derek just to see what he’d say. Would he be jealous?

Now who was the asshole in the room? Oh, right—that would be me.

“None of your business.”

“Right.” He took the box. “Then I’ll get out of your way.”

Was he pouting?

I pressed my lips together and went to grab my bag, so he didn’t see my smile. I turned off the lights. It was almost four, but at this point, I just wanted to go home. With a few extra minutes, I could take that shower, so I didn’t stink of sex before I saw my girls.

They’d know, anyway, but I didn’t have to be obvious.

I walked him to the door, but before I could open it, he stepped close to me. “I might not like how much I want you, but I’m not denying it.” He slipped his hand into my shirt and cupped my breast.

My mouth dropped open as he palmed the condoms I’d tucked into my bra.

He dropped a kiss on my open mouth. “Can’t wait for our next fight. Maybe next time you’ll sit on my face, Hellcat.” He used the pizza box to push open the door and whistled his way across the street.

I couldn’t even be mad at him, because he was right. Every time we had a ripping fight, we ended up having sex.

What did that say about me?

Maybe I got off on it too.

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