Page 12 of Her Daddy Valentine

“Is that right?” Vaughn steps closer, giving me a deep kiss before he shows me where the soap, shampoo, and conditioner are.

“It is. Because now we don’t have any time for some more fun before work,” I tease.

“I’m not known for my punctuality.” Vaughn’s hand travels around my body while he speaks. “And no one’s going to miss us for an hour or two.”

“On my second day?” I roll my eyes at him. Had it been my second month, I’d have indulged him without a second thought.

“You make a good point. Better get a move on then. The quicker we get this day over with, the quicker we can come straight back to this bed.” He gives me a gentle tap on the ass, and I instantly regret my decision to decline.

After our shower, we have a cup of coffee and a slice of toast with jam for breakfast. Vaughn scans through a newspaper, and I reply to my mom and let her know I’m safe. Then it’s off, back into the rat race of working for a corporate powerhouse.

Vaughn walks me, hand in hand, to my car when we get outside. Well, he’s walking. I’m skipping from one cloud to the next. But staring at his face, I notice it go from the dashing smile he hasn’t been able to shake since the shower to far more stern for my liking.

“I think you’ve got a flat,” he says. Looking over to my car, I see the same thing he does. The right-hand side is limp and low to the ground, while the left looks normal.

“Damn it,” I say under my breath. I still have to go home, brush my teeth, and change out of the clothes I wore yesterday.

“Never fear, not while I’m here.” Vaughn releases my hand and slides it across my back, pulling me into a hug. “I’ll drop you off at your place and take you in myself.”

“Are you sure? It’s a lot to ask.”

“I’d be delighted.” He smirks. “Me and your mom can look at your baby pictures over a cup of?—”

He falls silent as we round the side of my car and see what caused the flat. Two long gashes in each tire, made by a steak knife still sticking out the front one. What makes my heart jump and my body tense painfully is the insignia at the bottom of the blade’s handle.

It’s the steak house we were in last night.

“What the fuck?” Vaughn snarls. It’s the wrong time to think it, but he’s so hot when angry. So much so that he melts away my fears and turns them into a little puddle of lust trickling down my thighs.

Jesus Christ, Claire. This isn’t the time!

He’s seething. Heavy breaths raise and sink his chest in rapid succession.

“Don’t let this bother you. We’ll get to the bottom of it and make them pay.” I know he probably means to literallypay for the damages, but what I won’t give to see him go full monster on the bastard trying to terrorize me.

I slide my hand back into his and interlock our fingers, squeezing tightly into his side.

My protector.

Ready to burn this whole world down if it means I’ll be safe.

Vaughn Valentine couldn’t be any more perfect if he tried.

7

VAUGHN

The prick who did this better hope I never find him. I’ll rip his fucking head off and kick it to the dogs. How dare anyone think they can come to my home and scare my woman?

I’m white-knuckling the steering wheel as I drive through the busy New York morning to our office. After an interview with the police and a short stint at her parents’ place, Claire seems much calmer than when we stood beside her vehicle.

I’m happy to see it. She shouldn’t have to deal with this bullshit at all, and with me as her protector, she never will.

“Do you think they’re right?” Claire’s gentle voice snaps me out of my fury.

“What’s that?” I don’t look away from the road, afraid she might see my anger. “I disappeared there for a second.”

“The cops.” She sighs, no doubt noticing my fury. “Do you think it’s just kids being vandals?”

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