Page 41 of Her Possessive Daddies

"Yeah, because that worked so well last time." I tap my fingers on the wheel, remembering the disaster of his brief stint as a valet. "Three fender benders in two weeks."

"Jesus. Well, just wanted to give you a heads up before he starts working his way through everyone's garage."

"Thanks for the warning. And for not letting him near the Cutlass."

"Please. That car's my baby. Wouldn't trust it with anyone under forty."

"How's the construction site coming along?" I ask, merging onto the exit ramp.

"Ahead of schedule. These new steel beams are a dream to work with. My crew keeps bitching about the height - bunch of babies afraid of a little forty-story drop."

"That's why you're the foreman. Nobody else has the balls to dangle off skyscrapers all day."

"Speaking of balls, you sound different. Less... uptight than usual."

I blush. "Just had a good night."

"Oh yeah? Must've been real good - you sound different."

"Met someone at the Velvet Room. Abbie. She's..." Shit. Didn't mean to let that slip.

"Hold up. You're telling me Corey 'married-to-his-work' King is seeing someone?"

"It's new. Very new."

"About damn time. What's she like?"

"Beautiful. Smart. Works as a bartender at my place downtown." I squeeze the wheel even harder. "And before you ask - yes, she's younger."

"How much younger?"

"Young enough that I probably shouldn't be pursuing this."

Donovan's laugh rumbles through the speakers. "Since when do you let 'shouldn't' stop you? Hell, remember that time in Miami-"

"We agreed never to speak of Miami."

"Fair enough. But seriously - you sound happy. Been too long, buddy."

"It has." The thought of my son’s mother barely stings anymore. "Abbie's different though. Real. Genuine."

"Then don't overthink it. We should double date sometime - I'm seeing this yoga chick who'd love to meet the famous Corey King."

"Famous?"

"Well, infamous might be more accurate after last night, from the sound of it."

I smile before I can stop myself. "Who says anything happened last night?"

"Your voice gives you away every time, old friend. Always has."

20

ABBIE

The sun burns my eyes as I slip through the front lobby door of Seth's building, my heels dangling from my fingers. The click of the latch sounds too loud in the morning quiet. My heart is pounding as I hail my Uber, praying neither of them wake up.

The ride home passes in a blur of replayed memories that make my cheeks flame. Did I really...? With both of them...? The alcohol's worn off but my skin still tingles where their hands touched me.

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