Page 17 of Her Bossy Daddy

A small group gathered around us a few rounds ago and made bets, but Patrick and I were fairly matched. I glanced toward the door as some rowdy women entered. They’d made their presence known for sure, though I’d been surprised when I saw Lacey half hidden behind them.

“This round is on the house, gentlemen.” A sassy ponytailed waitress set two pints down. I tipped her, and she winked in response. “What’s the score?”

“I’m kicking his arse, love. That’s all you need to know,” Patrick chuckled as he retrieved the darts for our next game.

“Yeah? Well, it’s certainly keeping the ladies entertained.” She nodded to the crowd. “Anyone ready for another?” A few muttered in agreement and she motioned to the bar.

“See those six gals blocking your exit?” I nodded to Lacey and her friends. “Get them each a pint on me, right?”

“Got it.” She winked again, and then she skipped off.

I returned my concentration to the game while Patrick ribbed me. I’d beaten him twice in a row. The little clutch of women with Lacey stood nearby, admiring the game or my arse. Hell, maybe they’d been admiring both. Sarah, a tall brunette from our finance department shoved Lacey toward me, and Lacey glared back at her. The whole group was from work, but I didn’t know all of their names. I embraced Lacey casually, and planted a kiss on her cheek.

“Hello, love. Are you having fun?”

“Yes, and thank you for the drinks. I’m the designated driver tonight so I swapped mine for iced tea.” Lacey looked down and realized her hand still held my arm. She released me quickly.

I wished we were far away from here. I’d kiss her so fucking hard she’d forget what she was doing. If I tipped her backward and devoured her mouth, would we get in trouble at work? The thought hardened my cock. I wished I were driving, then I’d yank her out of here, bring all her friends home, and have a go at her right in my car. The other women edged closer, so I turned up the charm and greeted them each in turn. No one lingered like Lacey.

“Are you done slobbering all over the ladies?” Patrick elbowed me, and I raised an eyebrow in response.

“Ladies, this fine gentleman is my neighbor Patrick. He invited himself along, but I assure you he is more fun than an office meeting.” I gestured with flair to the bloke standing next to me and his face actually softened.

“Shove off. I’m more of a gentleman than you.” He plastered on a winning smile for the women and they greeted him as well. “He’s the arse if you ask me.”

Their cheeks reddened at his declaration and after a few minutes, he abandoned our game. I heard funny stories from home, and Patrick had the women hooked more and more with every line. They moved closer to him, rapt with attention until Lacey and I were left off to the side by ourselves. I drained some beer, half listening, and then shook my head. Had I done the same to Patrick in the middle of a game, he’d have skinned me alive.

“Do you come here often?” she asked sweetly.

“Is that a line, love?”

“No, I wouldn’t know a line until I tripped over it.” Lacey chuckled, but it sounded a bit forced. She tipped the glass and then drank some of her tea.

“Right. I’m haunting the place fairly regular, I suppose. I like the crowd.” My eyes roamed over her outfit. Her top had ruffles on it, which I’d admired at work, but the first three buttons were undone and her glorious breasts were barely contained. I shifted to ease my overly tight pants, but she didn’t seem to notice.

“This is my hangout.” She quirked a lovely smile up at me. “Rumor has it there’s a new face around here, so my friends wanted to catch a glimpse. I mean introduce themselves.”

“Does your new boss come here? The one you fancy?”

Her eyes darted to our coworkers but they were caught up in Patrick’s tales. “I don’t fancy anyone.”

“Not even your boyfriend?”

“Shh.” She gestured for me to be quiet. “I don’t need more rumors flying around work about our personal life.”

“No one at work knows you’re attached?” I wasn’t overly surprised at her revelation since she kept a lot to herself and she’d included the keywords our personal life. I shouted it from the rooftops at home and told everyone within earshot about my gorgeous girlfriend in New York. Well, when I was drunk in a pub at least.

“No, not at work. I need to keep it separate. There’s already enough gossip at our office to power a rocket ship, stupid office politics and such. I don’t need our names added to it.”

I wondered exactly what she meant, but I didn’t poke her for more information since it was so important for her to relax after a long week. She probably meant the incident with Milly and Rebecca. “I’m sorry, love. I can’t help teasing you a bit.” I reached my hand out, then remembered we weren’t alone. I ran my fingers through my hair, quickly as if I’d planned it. She blinked up at me, curiosity crossed her eyes, but then she glanced down into her glass.

“Oh, look! My glass is empty. Be right back.” Lacey strode away, her round arse jiggling beautifully with each step. As if I needed another reason to keep my eyes on her. Had she retreated so she wouldn’t touch me?

“Liam! Tell ‘em about that one night at Flannery’s.” Patrick waved me over and the women glanced in my direction. I couldn’t follow Lacey though I’d wanted to. Damn.

“One night?” I finished my pint and met the distance between us. “Fuck! One out of hundreds?” The group laughed of course, but I’d spoke the truth. Flannery’s Pub was literally my home for the better part of a decade. I launched into a story, one of my favorites, but my heart wasn’t in it. My mind was stuck on the lovely woman who just walked away from me.

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