Page 112 of Daddy, Sir

There even appeared to be a touch of gray at his temples, although he had to be too young for that. It suited him though. That, and the fine lines around his eyes gave him an older, almost-stern, appearance.Yum.

“Wow, you… really look different,” she blurted.

He laughed. “Well, it has been a long time, Jamie.”

“I know but… wow.” She felt like an idiot, but she could barely keep herself from drooling. She quickly cleared her throat and forced a smile, as she changed the subject. “Are those for me?” She nodded at the flowers in his hand.

“They are, but full disclosure… I was going to give them to your mom if you weren’t here.” He laughed and held them out to her. “I hope you still like tulips.”

“I do.” They were her favorite flower and had been since she was a kid. Trust Oliver to know that. “I can’t believe you remembered.”

“Hard not to, you used to draw them on everything. Remember when we got in trouble for painting them on your bedroom wall?”

“Of course.” The memory of them giggling and painting together was one of her happiest. Even if theyhadgotten in trouble and had to scrub the walls after. That had been just a few months before everything had fallen apart. The last summer before he went to high school, and she was left behind.

The reminder made her sad, and his thoughtfulness made the whole package seem unreal. There had to be something wrong. He couldn’t be a white knight, sexy, built, thoughtful,andavailable. Nope, he was probably married.

She hesitated and then took the flowers, offering him a slight smile. “Thank you.” She examined them, or pretended to, while she snuck a look at his ring finger. No wedding ring, although that didn’t mean much.

“So, are you going to invite me in? I’ve got a lot of great memories of your backyard, but I’m not sure I want to spend the day out here.”

Jamie wasn’t ready for that. She didn’t feel like her usual confident self. She had been shaken, and she needed time to think. “Um, actually, I just remembered my mother said I couldn’t have any boys in the house.” It had the benefit of being true… sort of.

“What?” He let out a surprised laugh, and said, “Jamie, we’re adults. I don’t think?—”

“Sorry, you know how moms are, and it is her house.” She took a step back inside.

“But I was hoping we could—” His eyes were full of confusion.

“Anyway, to be honest, I’m exhausted anyway. Long drive and all.” The regret in her voice was real; she was already second-guessing herself.

He tilted his head, squinting at her. “Did I do something wrong, Jamie?”

“Wrong?” She laughed as if nothing could be further from the truth. “No, of course not.” He’d done things right, and that was the problem. She was waiting for the downside, the gotcha, the flaw.

She could still feel where his hands had gripped her ass, when he’d appeared out of nowhere to save her. And now he stood there looking like the sexiest Daddy in the universe, after bringing her flowers. Meantime, she looked like… well, like she’d been climbing through windows.

He had to have a flaw, because if he didn’t, then he was still way out of her league.

Oliver stood there, silent, for a long moment and then shrugged. “Right. Sure. I’ll let you get some rest then.”

He turned and started to walk away, but he didn’t get more than five steps before she could feel the panic rising. What if she never saw him again? What if he thought she hated him. “Wait!” she blurted. And then, when he turned back, “Are you going to the cocktail thing tonight?”

“I hadn’t really planned on it. Why?”

“Oh.” There was a sinking feeling inside. She really had messed up her shot. “No reason.”

His brow furrowed. “Don’t give me that. You wouldn’t have asked if there wasn’t a reason. Spit it out.”

Jamie pursed her lips, scowling at him. “Do I have to say ‘Yes, Sir!’ when I answer too?”

One eyebrow went up as he stared her down. “Only if you want to, Jamie. And if Sir doesn’t work, I’m sure we can think of something else you can call me. Now answer the question.”

That sent a shock through her system. It was almost like one of her fantasies. “You’re not my dad, Ollie. And we’re not in ROTC anymore.” Did her voice sound a little breathless? She hoped it wasn’t obvious.

He crossed his arms over his chest and his eyes narrowed. “Never said I was your dad, brat. I could be your Daddy though. Sure seems like you need one.”

Had he actually said he could be her Daddy? It sent electricity shooting through her body, and she felt a hard pulse in her core. Heat flooded her face, again. At this rate Oliver was going to think beet red was her normal color.

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