Page 64 of Driven Daddy

I’d had relationships—safe, predictable ones. The chaos of my childhood through my early twenties was a full-on deterrent for anything other than safe.

And hooking up with a near stranger was far too reminiscent of the days when I’d been less than careful or smart.

“What are you doing up here?”

Penn pushed his wild curls out of his face, but the windy fall day wouldn’t cooperate, blowing his hair right back around his face. God, he was objectively gorgeous.

That full lower lip that peeked from his beard dragged memories of just how adept he was with it. My body, my mouth…the rest of me.

My clit pulsed with the sensory memory.

It had been a damn long time since anyone had been attentive in that respect, as well. Safe, vanilla sex was much more on par with my last three partners.

Three in the last eight years, no less.

I wasn’t exactly Miss Prowess when it came to naked time.

He shoved his hair back again, pulling it into a thick tail with a band at his wrist before vaguely gesturing behind him. “My brother’s place. I was checking in on it since he’ll be back in town soon.” He shoved his hands into his pockets. “And for some quiet. My parents’ house isn’t exactly low key.”

“Ahh.” I didn’t know what that was like. Currently, my life was the definition of quiet and even. Well, other than the absolute upheaval of my professional life.

No big deal.

“Well, I’ll just get this big guy back down to my place.”

“You’re renting out Judy and Kelly’s place?”

I sighed and put my hands on my hips. “Everyone seems to know it.”

He shrugged. “In a small town, everyone is in your business. I’m sure you’ve noticed since the signing.” He rocked back on his heels. “The grapevine has been very curious as to what happened and why.”

“Nothing happened. We just made the best of the situation with Officer Masterson.”

His jaw ticked, the muscle flexing under the beard. “My brother can be a bit of a hardline kind of guy.”

“I’m well aware.”

His eyebrow arched. “He’s married.”

I couldn’t stop the smirk. “Too bad.”

The flexing muscle increased. Interesting. “Sorry to say, working your way through the Mastersons will not work. They’re mostly married, my sister included.”

“Oh, there’s another one? Is he more charming than you? What’s his name?”

His nostrils flared.

“That’s okay. Seems I have a whole small town to work through.” My voice was ice. “What’s it to you?”

He stalked my way. “You know very well why.”

I held my ground, my stupid clit pounding along with the heartbeat thundering in my head. “It was just sex, Penn. Only place we actually work as we’ve found out. I don’t think I actually like you.”

“You liked me when my mouth was on your?—”

I held a hand up. “Before I knew the real Penn.”

“That’s not the real me.” He halted a few steps away from me.

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