Page 7 of Mine to Keep

“Breakfast looks fantastic. Thanks for cooking,” Dad exclaims, unaware of the undercurrents swirling around his own kitchen. Then his cell phone rings, and he glances at the screen. “Sorry, I need to take this.” He excuses himself and steps into another room.

I’m left alone with his friend as the air thickens with the weight of our shared desire, finding it difficult to breathe as wetness pools between my thighs. An intense moment of privacy hangs heavily with unspoken words and emotions.

“You’re very good at what you do. In the kitchen, I mean.”

“I’m good anywhere, baby. I’m especially good at pleasing you.” His seductive tone is barely above a whisper. My heart skips a beat, and I can feel my cheeks flushing as I meet his intense gaze. In this moment, it’s as if the rest of the world has fallen away, leaving only Tommy, me, and the bad choices we’re about to make.

I let out a low, exaggerated moan as I take the first bite of my pancakes, savoring the sweet, vanilla flavor. My gaze flicks to his, while he watches me with a mixture of amusement and caution.

“So good,” I purr, testing his resolve. A wicked grin spreads across my face—I’m enjoying this game far too much.

“Behave, Kate,” he says while leaning in close. “Or I might have to spank that pretty pussy of yours.”

I almost choke at his salacious suggestion, but before I can respond, Dad reenters the kitchen with his brow wrinkled and his lips pinched into a tight line.

“I just got off the phone with my Site Manager in Nashville. This is our first build out there,” he explains, rubbing the back of his neck. “Evidently, we had a surprise inspection and they’re claiming we’ve got some serious safety issues. I need to fly out for a few days to deal with it.”

“Ah, that’s too bad,” Tommy replies. “In that case, I should head back to the city today. We can catch up another time.”

“No, stay.” Dad shakes his head. “This is your first time meeting Katie Jane. You guys should get to know each other. You’re like family to me.”Well, that just hit me in the chest with a stab of guilt.“Besides, I’d worry a hell of a lot less if you stayed and kept my little girl safe. At least until I get back.” He glances at me, concern etched on his face. “I don’t want Katie Jane to be alone.”

“Seriously, Dad?” I roll my eyes. “I’m not a child. I can handle being on my own for a few days.”

“Come on, it’ll make your old man feel better.” Then Dad turns to Tommy and adds, “You two will get along great. You already have something in common—you both live in the same city.”

“Wait, you’re in New York too?” Tommy asks, surprise evident in his voice.

“Moved out there for college and decided to stay. I love it there,” I confirm, already dreaming of the possibilities that could arise from this newfound information.

“I might love it even more now.” A thoughtful expression crosses his face.

“Great! It’s all settled.” Dad claps his hands together. “You guys enjoy your breakfast. I’m sure you’ll come up with some funthings to do while I’m gone. Shouldn’t be more than three or four days, tops, but I’ll get back here as soon as I can.”

“Take your time, Dad. We’ll be fine.” I glance at Tommy, who shoots me a warning look that I ignore.

Dad wraps me up in a hug and kisses me on the top of my head. “Be a good girl while I’m away. And show Tommy a good time. He comes to Chicago for business, but never has time for fun. You’ll help him with that, won’t you?”

“Oh, don’t you worry. I’m sure we’ll haveplentyof fun.” Pretty sure I’ve just earned myself the spanking Tommy warned me about, but I know it’ll be worth it.

Dad leaves the room to pack, and I feel the weight of our solitude in the kitchen. The silence crackles with tension, a testament to the desires we both harbor. “So,” I say, sashaying over to Tommy with a sinful smile. “Care for a dip in the pool?”

He hesitates, his moral compass warring with his attraction to me. “Kate, I’m not sure we should?—”

“Relax,” I interrupt, placing a reassuring hand on his forearm. “It’s just a little swim. I promise I’ll be good.” I bat my eyes at him while I mimic marking an “X” over my heart with my index finger. We both know it’s a lie, but I’m curious how long we’ll keep up this charade.

After a moment, Tommy relents with a nod of his head. “Alright. Just a swim.”

“The pool is downstairs.” I point to a door behind him that leads to the entertainment area of the house, including the pool and sundeck. “There are extra swim suits in the changing room. I’ll meet you there in ten.” The need to kiss him is strong, but I have to wait until my dad is out of the house. He’d kill us both if he caught us.

Fifteen minutes later, Dad is out the door and headed to the airport. Excitement courses through me as I race out of my room, wearing the skimpiest string bikini I own. I can tellTommy needs a little nudge in the right direction, so hopefully this raspberry pink swimsuit will do the trick.

When I step onto the pool deck, my gaze hones in on his tall, muscular frame and smooth, tanned skin. He’s even sexier than I remember and my core clenches at the sight of him.

“Hey,” I call out, my voice laced with playful seduction as I approach Tommy.

He pivots in my direction and his mouth drops open, appreciation obvious in his dark eyes. “Fuck, you’re beautiful.”

“We’re all alone for at least three days. Whatever will you do with me?” I taunt with feigned innocence.

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