Page 26 of Stealing Daddy's Heart

It's too soon, too intense, but I can't bring myself to care—not when she's looking at me like that, her eyes filled with trust and something that resembles love.

Skylar covers my hand with hers. “Then don't,” she says simply.

In this moment, it feels possible. I want to lose myself in her, to forget everything else. The age difference, George, the complications that are sure to follow—none of it matters.

The urge to possess her overwhelms me. Skylar is my world now. I'm falling hard. This woman has me under her spell, and I have no desire to break free.

I'm about to lean in, to capture her lips with mine, when the sound of approaching footsteps snaps me into protector mode.

A server approaches with a tray bearing a bottle of champagne and two flutes.

I tense, instincts flaring. I paid for privacy—how did this server slip by? Who sent this? Possibilities flood my mind, each more unsettling. Are we being watched?

I fake a smile, hiding my fury.

“With compliments, sir,” he says, placing a bottle of champagne on the small table beside us.

“We didn't order this,” I say, my voice tight.

The server's smile falters. “I... I was told to bring it over, sir. An anonymous gift.”

It could be harmless, a simple gift from a fan of Skylar's artwork. But my gut twists with suspicion. I know better than to ignore my instincts.

“Get out,” I growl, my voice cutting through the air like a knife.

The server scurries away, leaving the champagne behind. I eye the bottle warily, suspicion churning in my gut. It looks harmless enough, but I know better than to trust appearances.

The Scarpettas are crafty; this feels too convenient, too perfectly timed.

Skylar, however, is beaming at the unexpected gift. Her face lights up with excitement, and I can't bring myself to ruin her moment. Tonight is supposed to be about her, after all.

Taking a deep breath, I try to push my doubts aside. We need to leave quietly, without raising any alarms. But Skylar's practically glowing, as if she's just won an Oscar.

“This is the good stuff,” she says, nodding appreciatively at the bottle. “Looks like someone's trying to impress me. An admirer, maybe?”

My jaw clenches involuntarily, possessiveness flaring. “Only my admiration matters. No other man should be looking at you.”

Skylar laughs, the sound light and musical. She thinks I'm joking, but she couldn't be more wrong.

“Oh, Garrett,” she says, playfully swatting my arm. “You're too much. I love it.

“I pull her close, wrapping my arms around her protectively. “I mean it, Skylar. You're mine. No one else's.”

She giggles, pressing against me. “Your attention is all I need anyway.”

“Good,” I growl, nipping at her ear. “Because I don't share.”

Skylar shivers, but her eyes are bright with excitement. “I know how possessive you are and how much you want to protect me. But seeing you like that... You looked ready to tear that poor guy apart.”

I pause, realizing how my behavior must have appeared to her. I change when I think she's in danger; it's instinctive, but I can see how it might be unsettling.

“You're not afraid of me, are you?” I ask, suddenly concerned.

A wicked grin spreads across her face as she shakes her head emphatically. “Hell no. Honestly, it kind of turns me on.”

Her admission sends a jolt of desire through me, intensifying my need to get her alone.

I lean in close, my lips brushing her ear as I speak. “Babygirl, remember our deal?”

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