Page 22 of Daddy's Double Surprise

“They were alright. You’re better.” I nuzzled my nose into her neck and nipped at her earlobe. “I don’t want to talk about that when I have such a beautiful woman in my arms.” We must’ve seemed odd to everyone else, a twenty-something bombshell with a middle-aged graying man.

“People are watching,” she giggled as she put more paint on her brush and brought it back to the canvas.

“Let them watch. In fact, let them talk too. I’d love to shout from the rooftops that my heart has found its home and I never want to feel alone again.” My grip on her tightened, and she paused painting to look up at me. Tears were brimming in her eyes, but she blinked hard to push them away.

“If you don’t stop being sweet, I’m gonna cry, and it will ruin my makeup.”

“Well, we can’t have that. I want my blushing beauty to be smiling, not crying.” I grinned at her as she pecked me on the lips before turning back to her canvas.

“I’ve been thinking…” Sunny drew the brush downward, creating the line on the left side of the canvas for the edge of the vase.

“Yeah? About me?”

“Funny,” she said, “but yes.” Her eyes flashed with happiness as she continued. “I was thinking maybe I don’t have to rush back to Tampa after all. I mean, things are good here for now. Tampa is there if I can’t stand it here anymore, but I’m finding my center again. And the company isn’t bad either.”

Warmth spread through my chest and belly at her words, but another rankling sensation gnawed at me in the very same breath. I wanted to lose myself in giddiness over the fact that she might be considering staying here for me. There were complications, however, that threatened to derail anything we managed to build.

Rick would never approve of this. I’d lose my friendship, and what would that disapproval do to his relationship with Sunny? On top of that, when she found out I was the owner of the pharmaceutical company that produced the drug and ran the trial that Kira joined, the drug that killed her…What would Sunny say then?

“I’m so happy you’re thinking that way,” I said, placing a kiss on her cheek again. She was happily lost in the art, distracted and not noticing how my body stiffened, my chest constricted.

She’d just been through a lot of bad stuff lately. The last thing I wanted to do was hurt her more. Her admitting to considering staying here only brought it home, made things more serious for me. What was I thinking, pretending I could date Rick’sdaughter behind his back? Thinking Sunny would ever forgive me for letting her friend take a drug that killed her…

Of course it wasn’t’ my fault, but grief—her grief—wouldn’t see it that way. She’d see me as the monster, and that was what I was. A monster for even tempting her heart to fall in love. She was going to hate me for that.

15

SUNNY

Iyawned as I crawled onto Carter’s bed after our long night of painting. Opting for no wine to avoid getting sleepy hadn’t helped at all. I was just exhausted no matter what I did. When the painting was finished and people were clearing out of the gallery, I had energy to spare, so I asked him to bring me back here to his place. Now, I felt like lead weights were tugging my eyelids shut.

“Do you want to rest a while?” he asked thoughtfully as he stretched out next to me. His gentle fingers curled a few hairs around my ear while I tucked my arm under my head and smiled up at him.

“Absolutely not. I don’t know what’s gotten into me lately. I’ve just been too tired to function. Maybe it’s just working longer hours than I was in Tampa. Another yawn snuck its way out, reaching up to wash over me in more waves of fatigue.

“It’s really okay if you need to rest. I can read or watch a show, and if all we do is sleep that’s okay. I’m not expecting anything.” Carter pressed his lips to my forehead. A cloud of his cologne circled me as he did, drawing a smile to my lips again.

“You really are the sweetest man I know. Do you know that?” I thought about other guys I had dated in the past, how their personalities differed from Carter’s. I could chalk it up to him being a bit older and more mature, probably more experienced in life. Or maybe he really did just care about how I was feeling and that was the difference. Those other guys never gave a crap about my heart.

“How about something else that might help you feel better? A back rub?” he asked. I scrunched my nose. “A glass of wine?” I shook my head but kept a straight face. I’d been having suspicions about that slip-up with the condom that day in my father’s Malibu home. The fatigue, the emotions…I wasn’t going to take a chance.

“Alright, then, what about a hot bath?” Carter’s eyes scanned my face, and I thought about it for a second. He was trying so hard to be sweet and take care of me, and while I figured a bath would only make me sleepier, I didn’t want to discourage him.

“Sure, a bath sounds great,” I replied and then watched as he slid off the bed to scurry away and draw a bath for me.

Having a man who would go to any length to help me warmed my heart. I let my eyes close and relaxation sink me into the sheets while I listened to him preparing things in the bathroom. Eventually, I felt a soft hand on my shoulder and a shake.

“You dozed off…Do you still want the bath?” Carter asked, hovering over me.

I blinked hard a few times and nodded, rolling to my back to let him take my hand and help me up. It was only a little after nine, but it felt like midnight as I rose to my feet and followed him into the bathroom.

He had a steaming bubble bath ready, candles lit, soft music playing. I drowsily blinked and let him help me out of my clothing. His hands trailed over my skin, lips kissing softly innonsexual places until I was nude. Then he helped me climb in and sit down.

The water was perfect, not too hot, not too cold, but I felt lonely. “Stay with me?” I said, peering up at his towering form.

“Wouldn’t dream of leaving.” Carter winked as he loosened his tie and slid it off. Then he unbuttoned his cuffs and rolled up his sleeves. He knelt beside the tub and took my hand.

“You don’t have to undress too,” I explained, flushing a deep red as my brain caught up with my mouth.

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