Page 40 of Stolen Kisses

Walking toward the school gym, holding my girl’s hand, I feel as proud as any father could be. Thinking of Kenny as my daughter and not just my niece that I’m caring for has become common for me. It struck out of the blue and shocked the hell out of me, but now it feels as natural as can be.

Emma and her friend, Kate, are standing on either side of the door greeting everyone with wide friendly smiles.

“Oh my gosh, how pretty is your dress, Kenny?” Kate fusses. “And look at your shoes. Do you think they come in my size?” Kenny giggles asKatereaches out, sliding a curl through her fingers. “Your hair looks gorgeous.” With every compliment, Kenny seems to grow taller.

“Thank you, Ms. Summer.” Kenny does a little curtsy. Nobody could call this kid shy; she loves the attention.

As we step into the room I look down at Kenny, her wide eyes taking in everything. The decorations, the other girls, and their fathers. Her little hand holds onto mine a little tighter, so I squeeze gently to reassure her that I’m not going anywhere. I take a moment to look around the room; it looks like something out of a Disney movie. Large cardboard cutouts of Disney princes and princesses line the room, sheer curtains are draped from the center of the ceiling out to the walls, while chandeliers hang from the ceiling. A lot of effort has been made to make the room look like a ballroom that could be found in any castle. As I look at the other dads and their daughters, I decide Kenny’s the prettiest little girl here—I may be biased but I don’t think I am.

We’re stopped a few steps into the room by a little girl who isabouta head taller than Kenny. Kenny freezes in place, her body tense, her little smile waning. The other girl looks up at me as though butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth. “Hello, Kenny.” She points to me. “Who’s this? Because Iknowyou don’t have a daddy.”

Kenny looks up at me, her bottom lip beginning to tremble. I squeeze her little hand. “I’mKenny’s daddy.”

“But she doesn’t have a daddy.” The frown marring her face looks to be an expression she wears regularly.

“Her mommy asked me to look after her. That makes me her daddy.” I look down to Kenny, to make sure she hears my next words. “I’m lucky to be her daddy because she’s the best little girl I know.” Squeezing Kenny’s hand gently, I step away from the little girl, taking my munchkin with me. “C’mon, let’s go dance.” We walk away, leaving the brat behind. So much attitude for a kid her age; I’d hate to meet her parents.

The smile that lights up my girl’s face is contagious and I return it easily. I’ve noticed I smile more since having Kenny in my life. We make it to the dance floor and immediately get swept up in a song all about being happy. I twirl my girl, inciting giggles from her which makes my heart swell. I feel better when she smiles and laughs like she should.

The principal of the school takes to the stage, stepping up to the microphone. “Welcome to the annual Daddy-Daughter dance. We’re so happy to see you all here enjoying this very special evening. Ladies, you look lovely and gentlemen, you look handsome. Please take your seats for the dinner service.” It’s all very formal, which I’m guessing is exactly what the schoolis aiming for.

Wait staff move between the tables with trolleys of food and I can’t stop myself from seeking Emma out. She’s on the opposite side of the room, smiling and chatting with the people she’s serving. My jealousy rises thinking about other men admiring her sweet curves, collecting her gorgeous smiles, or even thinking they have a chance with someone as stunning as her. I want to mark her as mine so every other asshole knows to stay away from her.

The night moves along with dessert, dancing, and games. I was a bit nervous about having to answer questions about Kenny for the quiz, but I think we did pretty wellconsideringwe’ve only known each other for six short weeks. The questions about when she was a baby were the ones that stumped me,but sent Kenny into a fit of giggles at my made-up answers.

The little girl who gave Kenny a hard time is sitting at the next table over, being ignored by her father in favor of checking social media on his phone. As it’s getting close to the end of the night, we decide it’s time to line up for the photo booth. Kenny doesn’t look quite as put together as she did when we first arrived, but she looks more like my Kenny to me. We make silly faces for a couple of shots before having the photographer take a couple of formal photos for us. Our first photos together. I’ll be sure to put them up on the photo shelves I installed in the living room.

Sitting at our table, Kenny’s dozing off on my shoulder. I feel honored beyond measure that she trusts me enough to fall asleep on me. I try to remember my life before Kenny; it feels like it was such a long time ago now. Life was quiet, routine, and lonely without my girl. I gently brush a lock of loose silky hair over her shoulder and study her cherubic face. I startle slightly when a hand gently touches my upper back. Raising my head, I find Emma watching us with a serene smile.

“I’m going to be a little longer. Kate said she didn’t mind dropping me home. You should go. Take Kenny home to bed,” she crouches down low as she whispers, allowing me a peek down her blouse to her lush breasts.

I’m already shaking my head in the negative. “No. We’ll wait for you.” She makes to speak again, but I cut her off with another head shake. “We’ll wait. Don’t rush. We’re fine here,” I whisper. My tone firm as I run my knuckles gently along her jawline. The pulse point at the base of her neck picks up speed as she sucks in a sharp breath, but she doesn’t pull away. In fact, her eyelids drop closed for a moment before opening again, showing almost brown irises. She gives me a nod before standing to return to her tasks.

* * *

Emma releases a huge sigh as her backside connects with the passenger seat. Looking over to the back seat, a small smile touches her lips. “I love it when they’re so tired, they’ll sleep anywhere.”

“Yeah. Wish I could do that.” I start my truck as Emma pulls the seatbelt across her body. I take it from her and secure it in the buckle, ensuring it’s locked in place. She drops her head back against theheadrest, closing her eyes.

“My feet are killing me. I love these shoes so much, but they’re really not designed to be worn when I’mgonnabe on my feet for hours on end.”

“Take ’em off. We’ve got fifteen minutes until we’re home,” I suggest.

She rolls her head toward me. “If I take them off, I won’t be able to get them back on when I get home. I don’t want to ruin my stockings.”

My suit pants start growing tight at the thought of peeling those stockings from her shapely legs. “Take ’em off, too.”

Her eyes widen at my suggestion. “It’s okay, I can wait.” She rolls her head so she’s looking out of the windscreen. “Thanks for waiting for me. I’m sorry it took so long.”

“No problem. I’m happy to wait for you.” I hope she gets what I’m saying.

“You guys looked like you were having fun tonight.”Does that mean she was watching us as much as I was watching her?

“Yeah. We had a great time.” My jaw tenses. “I think I got to meet the kid that upset Kenny when the dance was first mentioned.” Thinking back to the beginning of the night, I was proud of the way I reacted—like an actual adult!

“Really?”

“Yeah, she was a little rude toward Kenny when we first arrived. I think I worked out why she’s the way she is though.”

---