Page 18 of Daddy Issues

“Yep!” I say, popping thep. “Pancakes andGilmore Girls!”

“Yesssss!”

My heart could burst, seeing this sweet girl so excited to hang out with me, just the two of us. It’s been such a great day, and I hope that when this arrangement ends, Graham will allow me to still be in her life. She’s quickly become my little sidekick, and I always want to be there for her.

I wake up to the front door closing, the lock following it. I blink blearily, my eyes focusing and the sleepy haze dissipating. Mila is still asleep on my shoulder where we were curled up together watchingGilmore Girls. Graham walks into the house and trips a step when he sees us, his eyes taking on a warmth that I haven’t seen directed at me before. My heart rate picks up a bit, racing away as he takes in the two of us sharing a blanket, curled up together on his couch.

After a moment, Graham meets my eyes, his lips turning up in a genuine smile. I’m sure the guilt of coming home late into the evening eats him alive, and I’m grateful that he knows his daughter is being taken care of by someone he trusts and who cares for both of them.

Graham walks into the room, stopping in front of us and crouching down to be eye level with me.

“Hi,” I mouth quietly.

“Hi,” he whispers with a tired smile.

“We fell asleep toGilmore Girls.”

“She still think Dean is endgame?”

“Of course,” I whisper with a restrained smile. He’s so damn good-looking that I can’t help but admire his features. Now that I know what he tastes like, what his rough facial hair feels like all over my body, it’s hard not to look at him without renewed appreciation and desire.

“I’ll get her to bed, thanks for taking care of her. Looks like you two didn’t even miss me.”

“Of course we did. But we had an amazing time together, I’m not gonna lie.”

He looks down at his baby and smiles in the way only a father can while gazing at his precious daughter. So full of love. Graham gently shakes Mila—who sleeps like the dead—and helps her off of me. She staggers and groans out in protest as he helps navigate her up the stairs and into her bedroom. I stay put, pulling the knit blanket closer to my body and turning on a streaming app to browse for a TV show. After that little nap with Mila combined with the arousal Graham brings on just by looking at me, I’m wide awake.

Settling on my tried and true,Schitt’s Creek,I get comfortable and start episode one, ready to start watching it from the beginning again.

“I’ve never seen this one.”

My head whips in the direction of the deep, masculine voice behind me.

“I’m sorry, what now? You aren’t serious.”

“Deadly. Never seen it. I watch movies with Mila but don’t really have the time for TV shows.”

“Well, Mr. Colson, pop some popcorn and pour a drink, ’cause I’m about to blow your mind. My secret crush? David Rose. When that man smirks, I swear all the ovaries in the world explode.”

He laughs at me lightly before plopping down on the other side of the couch, his woodsy scent wafting in my direction and making my core grow with need.

“Is that all it takes? A perfectly timed smirk?”

“Oh, no. Just wait. Pretty sure you’ll fall for him too. No gender or sexual orientation is immune to the sexy David Rose smirk. And you’ll probably swoon for Alexis. Or maybe Moira,” I jest.

“Alright, honey, play it. Show me what you got.” The term of endearment hits my heart first then settles right between my legs. God, how is he so calm right now? It’s barely been twenty-four hours and I’m dying to touch him again. I know what we shared was off the charts for both of us, and if it’s too weird for him to take me up on my offer, then so be it, even if he seemed fully on board when we parted ways. Just that one experience will have to be enough. Plus, I loved being around him and Mila before the sex, if having a purely sexual relationship isn’t in the cards, I’m not going to bail.

We start the episode and fall into a comfortable silence, Graham even laughs at a few parts. I’m more occupied with watching Graham watch my favorite show than I am with whatever is happening on the screen.

“So that’s the man you’re crazy about?” Graham breaks the silence by asking. My eyes don’t leave his when I answer, “Yeah. It is.” He turns and meets my eyes, his lids drooping heavier as they rake over my face. How just a look can light me up from the inside is beyond me, but what was once a small ember is now spreading to a raging wildfire.

“Tell me something I don’t know about you,” he says out of nowhere, his voice dropping an octave. My heart stops.

“Hmm.” I think. “I don’t like scary movies.”

“Really? Just don’t like the fear it brings?”

“Hannah has been obsessed with them since she snuck a copy ofHouse on Haunted Hillwhen we were kids, and anytime we watched movies, she would put one on and they terrified me. I still run and jump on my bed after the lights go out because I’m scared of what could be under it.”

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