Page 27 of Outplayed

“That’s very nice. Your bedroom will light up with fairies all over the walls at night now.”

“It’s the best thing in the world,” she yelled, and then ran straight at me, her arms wrapping tightly around my thighs. She looked up, smiling. “Thank you.”

My hardened heart cracked a little. Lifting my hand, I gently ran it over her head. “You’re welcome.”

“Izzy,” someone called. I glanced up to see Link standing at the top of the stairs. “Come, and we’ll put it in your room. You can show Miss Violet later.”

“Yes. Can I, Daddy?”

“Go for it.” He grinned down at her, then watched as she raced off. “You heading out?” he asked Link.

“As soon as I’ve done this.”

“Thanks.”

Link gave him a chin lift while smirking. Then he winked at me before disappearing down the hall upstairs.

“Is she always full of energy?”

“Yes.” He chuckled. His hand dropped to my lower back. “Come into the kitchen with me. I’ll grab you a drink.”

“Sure.” I nodded and started off to get away from his touch.

“Wrong way, Violet.”

Damn it.

Pivoting around, I glared at him when he chuckled and followed him down the other hall beside the large stairs. Though, I wasn’t sure following was a good idea. I should have raced ahead, so I didn’t get to gaze at his butt in jeans. His butt always looked edible.

All right, Violet. Harden the fuck up.Get over how good-looking that man is and get done with the night.

I nodded to myself and then bit my bottom lip when Travis bent over in the fridge. But his arse…. No, Violet. Don’t remember how it felt in your hands when he buried—

“Violet?” Travis stood, his lips twitching. He was trying to hide his smug smile but failed. I saw it and wanted to punch it off his face.

So what if he caught me staring at his arse. I didn’t care.

Glaring, I asked, “What did you say?”

“Red or white wine?”

At the counter, I sat on one of the bar stools. “What do you think my answer will be?” He made out like he still knew me, but he didn’t.

“Water,” he answered.

Fuck him.

“Yes,” I gritted out. Maybe he knew some small things about me. “So why did you ask what I wanted?”

He shrugged. “I had hoped you’d take me up on a drink because then I know you wouldn’t drive home.”

“And I wouldn’t stay in your room if I did.”

He snorted. “Of course not. Izzy is home. I do have multiple spare bedrooms.”

“Water still. Thank you.”

He nodded and got me a tall glass of water while he took a beer for himself. “Thank you again for coming to dinner. Izzy has been excited to see you.”

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