Page 51 of Property of Big Daddy

Once we’re out of earshot from the pool, he turns me around and pulls me flush against his chest.His scent is intoxicating, all manly and spicy.

“Showing off my goods to my friends?”I raise a brow at him, and he chuckles.

“Had to get your attention somehow.”

“You always have my full attention.”

“Been watching you from upstairs,” he tells me.“What’s the deal with the blonde girl you were sitting with?”

“Jessika?”

“I don’t know her name, but yeah.You’ve been clocking her every move.”

“I didn’t realize I was so obvious.She’s engaged to Thad.”

“Then what the fuck is she doing here?”

“We’re friends, sort of.”

“Gwynee,” he says my name in a tone that says he’s about to call bullshit.

“Okay fine.She works at the flower shop across the street from the salon.She’s one of Cecilia’s clients, so I am acquainted with her and it wasn’t weird of me to invite her.But a few days ago, I spotted the two of them together and I don’t know.I get this weird vibe like maybe he’s not so nice to her.”

“What Thad does is none of your business.”

“I’m well aware, but how can I sit by and watch him hurt someone who is genuinely good?”

“You’re not going to let this go, are you?”

“Nope.”I pop the p and bop him on the tip of his nose.

“I figured as much,” he says, sliding his hands lower to rest on my hips.“You’ve got a heart of gold, baby.Promise me you won’t get yourself tangled in a mess that’s not yours.”

“Can’t make any promises,” I answer honestly, pressing closer to him.He shakes his head, a hint of admiration in his eyes.

“Woman, you’re going to be the death of me.”

“Better you than me.”

He dips his head down to press a kiss to my temple.When he pulls back, he levels me with a serious look.“I’m serious, though.Don’t go inviting trouble.We have enough shit on our plates.”

“I hear you, big guy.”I stand on my tiptoes and press a quick kiss on his lips before nudging him away with my hip.“Now go put on a shirt before all my friends fall in love with you.”

His laughter follows me as I walk back to the pool and find Cecilia setting up the sound system for some impromptu karaoke.

“No more moping about Jessika, okay?”

“I can’t help it.”

“Why are you so adamant about yourself into her relationship?”

“I can’t ignore this gut feeling.”

“Sure you can,” he says like it’s that easy, his fingers tracing patterns on my bare shoulder.“Sometimes caring too much about someone else’s problems can cause more harm than good.”

“You sound like Cecilia.”

“Your friend is smart.”

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