Page 38 of Her Bossy Daddy

“I’m here to listen to you talk. Starting with what sort of mess you’ve got going on in your head that’s forced you into such a state where you falsely believe inaccurate stories.”

“What?” I motioned for his pack of cigarettes. “May I have one, please?”

“Yeah, you can have one as soon as you talk.”

I eyed the cigarettes, and then focused on him. “Whatever. Forget the smoke, I’ve got stuff to do. Excuse me.” I stepped over him to my front door and unlocked it. I twirled the knob open, but I paused when he grabbed my elbow.

“Why are you pushing me away, Lacey? Is it because you haven’t believed everything I’ve told you or you just want me to prove something to you?”

“You wouldn’t understand.” I shook off his hand.

“Give it a go.”

“No.” I spun around to face him completely. “Milly said you were talking about her body and basically drooling over it.”

“You believe something Milly said to you? The same awful woman who commented on your body in the most disgusting way I’ve ever heard. Yeah. Since she’s always been so open and trustworthy with you?”

“I’m done with all of your questions.”

“Right. Well, here.” Liam reached into his pocket, and then pressed something into my hand. “It’s the key to my house. My home is always open to you, whether you shut me out or not. You’re feeling down on yourself and you need to lash out but you can’t get rid of me so easy. Come over when you’re ready to talk.” He kissed my cheek, and then turned and walked down my front steps. “I love you.” He got into his car and pulled out of my driveway.

“I love you more,” I said to open air, my heart sick at the way I’d been acting. I did love him on so many levels, but my heart hurt and my head was filled with confusion.

I watched him drive away, and then I looked down into my hand. One key hung from the keychain—a brilliant sky blue heart-shaped crystal along with the letters of my name embossed in script, a tiny four-leaf clover charm and a Claddagh heart charm completed the trinket. It was so special. Liam said he brought Milly home once because of car trouble. I had to believe him. He had a right to be irritated about the lies I’d told, my disobedience, the plug I’d removed earlier that he would eventually find out about. Double shit.

I entered the house and threw an overnight bag together. I had to trudge through the awful crap I’d been doing to find meaning, but I owed him and myself an explanation.

* * *

An hour later I satparked in his driveway, with my hand clutched around the heart-shaped keychain. I hated what I’ve been putting the two of us through, but there were so many unanswered questions. Did he only move here because of the career opportunity? Was he seeing other women? Letting myself in with the key, I stepped inside and closed the door. I adjusted the bags on my shoulder and walked into the living room. I searched the main floor but didn’t find Liam. I climbed the stairs and opened the first door on the left. I peeked in, and caught a glimpse of the most beautiful room I’d ever seen! The walls were the prettiest shade of robin’s-egg blue, but something else caught my eye. A dome-shaped ceiling done in navy. It looked like tiny lights were pressed into it. What sort of room was this?

“Lie on the floor.”

I glanced over my shoulder to see Liam in the doorway. Despite everything else going on in my brain, I hurried over to the middle of the room and laid down on my back. The plush carpeting cradled me, and I sighed. It was the sort of room I dreamed about during my childhood, the kind a princess should live in.

“Close your eyes.” Liam switched the light off. A few seconds later one of his arms slid under my neck and the other encased my waist. “Okay, sweetheart. Open them.”

I blinked my eyes open, and gasped. Hundreds of twinkling, sparkly lights lit up the dark ceiling. They seemed to have a mind of their own, and I was captivated. “Oh, my God! This is amazing.”

“I thought you might want a room of your own, when you’re in a younger space. A place where you can feel safe. A beautiful space fit for a princess.”

“You did this for me?” I shifted my body to face him. “Why?”

“It’s not quite finished.” He brushed a piece of my hair away from my face. “You deserve it. You’re so special to me, love.”

“I haven’t been acting very special.”

“It doesn’t make you less worthy of my attention.” He sat up, and then got to his feet. “Anyhow, I didn’t expect to see you tonight.”

“I’ve been a real bitch lately.”

“Don’t talk about my girl that way.” He tugged me up to stand in front of him. “We’re both adjusting to the physical part of our relationship. Give yourself more credit, love. We’ll figure it out.”

“Are you angry about this afternoon?”

“Not exactly. I want to know what’s been bothering you lately, but you’ve been keeping it all inside.”

“I’m not ready to go into all of the details.” I’d said it more than once lately, and it was any wonder he’d let me get away with not telling him. Instead of feeling like I’d won a prize, it made my stomach knot up. How much patience did this man have? I sure as hell didn’t want to reach the bottom of that particular barrel.

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