Page 28 of Claimed by my Bestie's Dad

But her tone is very formal, and I can tell that I’ve set things off on the wrong foot. I take a bite of lasagna to buy myself some time to figure it out.

I am literally drawing a blank. I can’t think of anything to ask her that isn’t too similar to something I’ve just asked or something that is way off base—like her favorite sexual position.

Madison also looks distinctly uncomfortable, and for the first time, I realize that this night might not end how I had planned after all.

I really stretch my mind to bring us back onto common ground. “Have you spoken to Aurora recently?” I ask brightly.

Madison glowers at me. “Why do you want to talk about her? If I think about her too much, then I realize what an idiot I am for even being over here for dinner. Did you know that she invited me and the girls to get coffee, but I chose to come here?”

I, of course, have no way of knowing that. So, I just think about it for a second, realizing it means Madison chose me over her friends. Either she really needs to save money on food, or she really likes the sex. I’m choosing to believe the second.

“I didn’t know that. I appreciate it. I want to get to know you better.”

“Why?” Her question is blunt, and I’m sensing some of the animosity that came out during her first visit over here.

“Because I’m…attracted to you, and when I’m attracted to a woman, I want to get to know her better.”

“Why are you attracted to me?”

I want to start naming her physical features that most attract my attention, but I don’t think that’s the answer she’s asking for.

“I like how hard-working you are. Not a lot of women would have the grit it takes to deal with multiple dogs all the time. I also like how honest you are. You don’t pretend to be one thing and then really act like another.”

Madison is starting to smile, so I throw in a little flirtation too.

“It doesn’t hurt that your ass is round and easy to grab.”

Madison laughs and rolls her eyes.

I can see her start to relax though, and the conversation starts flowing more easily. We talk about the neighborhood and about how Madison ended up with her parents’ house. I find myself telling her stories about some of the worst dates I’ve been on. There’s something about Madison that makes me want to open up, to let her see the side of me that’s usually hidden.

And as we continue to talk. I also get the strange feeling that our age gap isn’t so big. I’m not looking at her like an adult who’s barely old enough to function in society. I’m looking at her as an equal.

As we clear the table, I catch her glancing at her phone a few times, and I can tell something’s on her mind.

“Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, I need to just put it on silent. I think working withthe dogs all the time has made metooaccessible. People expect me to respond to a text within a few seconds.”

I wonder if one of those “people” is my daughter, but I don’t want to bring up her name again.

I carefully stack the dishes in the dishwasher. When I’m done, I turn back to Madison who is sitting at the kitchen table, drinking the last of her wine. “Would you like some more?” I point to her glass.

“Thanks, but I shouldn’t.”

I walk over to her and hold out my hand. She stares at it for a beat too long before taking it and letting me pull her to her feet. When she’s standing, she’s only a couple of inches shorter than me.

“Now, you’re in charge. You can either go home and spend the rest of the evening being rubbed all over by your canine companions. Or…you can spend time here and letmebe the one who fondles you.”

Madison giggles. “When you put it like that…”

I raise an eyebrow.

“Why don’t you give me a tour of the house? I’ve seen a lot of the rooms before, but never your bedroom.”

Well, I don’t know how else to take that than as an invitation to explore Madison’s body again. I tug her toward the stairs, eager to show her everything.

14

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