Page 7 of Such a Sweet Girl

I fled to the fridge, grabbing the milk jug and handing it to him. What was wrong with me?

‘Do you have a name?’ Alexander asked, passing me a cup. I didn’t tell him that I usually took sugar.

‘Francesca.’

‘And where are you from?’

‘My parents own the house next door.’

Alexander placed his mug on the island, and uncovered the muffins, taking a large bite.

‘Oh my god,’ he muttered, my heart skipping a beat as his face suffused with pleasure. ‘Did you buy these? I could eat these forever.’

The unexpected praise had me stuttering. He took another bite, slapping a hand against the counter and letting out a groan that had my knees quaking.

Holy smokes. Did I have the hots for Nick’s dad?

‘I made them,’ I said, trying to pack my exploding brain back into my messy little head.

‘You made these? Do you post to England? No muffin is going to do it after tasting these.’

My cheeks flamed, hot little streaks of delight fizzling through me.

Nick appeared, glancing between his father and I before nodding. ‘Alright, Dad. How was your flight?’

‘Great.’ Alexander handed a coffee to Nick, and slid a muffin his way. ‘You have to try these.’

Nick shrugged, grabbing a box of cereal from a cupboard and stuffing some dry into his mouth.

‘You didn’t mention that your dad was coming,’ I ventured.

‘Didn’t I?’ Nick didn’t stay to chat, picking up his headset and fitting it over his ears before grabbing his coffee and the cereal box. ‘The guys are waiting for me, catch you later, yeah?’

Nick didn’t wait for my response before exiting the kitchen.

‘You fly half way around the world to see your kid and barely even get a hi.’ There was a hint of dejection in Alexander’s voice, before he cleared his throat, clearly pushing whatever he felt aside. ‘Bet the little fucker told you he owned the place, too.’

‘I don’t think it ever came up,’ I said, feeling dejected and staring at the empty doorway.

When I looked back to Alexander, his eyes were caught on my bare thighs. They slid to my face and my breath snagged in my throat. An undeniable flutter hit me right between my thighs at what looked like hunger in his gaze.

‘You really like the muffins?’ I asked, greedily seeking his praise and trying to deflect from the palpable tension that gathered between us.

‘Best thing I’ve tasted in years… so far.’

My pulse rattled in my throat and I shifted from one foot to the other.

‘I should go get dressed,’ I murmured, feeling broken open under his scrutiny.

‘If you must.’

I practically fled to Nick’s room, pulling on my clothes in a whirlwind of haste. The morning was supposed to bring my breaking off of things with Nick, but it had been side swept entirely by the appearance of his attractive, posh dad.

It would have to wait until later, if I could brave coming back.

FOUR

ALEXANDER

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