Page 221 of The Tempted

“Actually, Gia is ten minutes away. We are going to catch a movie so she can pick me up,” she said.

“All right then,” I turned back to Reina. “You ready, Sunshine.”

“If you’re sure.”

“Oh, I’m sure,” I assured her, grabbing her leather jacket from the newel post and holding it out for her to slip into. She slipped her arms inside of the sleeves and looked over her shoulder at me.

“Truck or the bike?” I questioned, biting back the urge to lean down and press my lips to the tip of her nose. I cleared my throat and stepped away, grabbing my jacket off the back of the couch. I turned to face her, watching as she chewed sheepishly on her bottom lip.

“Bike,” she murmured, her eyes glowing with excitement. I blew out a ragged breath as I stared at her, vowing that a ride on my bike wouldn’t be the only thing that elicited that look in her eyes.

“Come, Lacey. Give your old man some sugar,” I demanded.

Lacey threw her phone onto the couch and made her way to me, wrapping her arms tightly around me as she reached up on tip toe to kiss my cheek.

“Happy birthday, Dad. I love you,” she said as she pulled back from me.

I reached into my pocket and pulled out a hundred and handed it to her.

“Lock up when you leave,” I ordered.

“I will, thanks,” she said, shoving the money into her pocket and turning to Reina, throwing her arms around her. “I had fun tonight. I hope you’ll be around more often,” she hinted, giving her a slight squeeze before pulling back from the embrace.

“So did I. Thank you for inviting me,” she said with a smile.

“All right, let’s move. Love you Lacey,” I said, holding open the door for Reina. I pointed to my daughter. “Text me when you get home.”

“Okay,” she said, rolling her eyes.

“Just do it, girl,” I grunted then sighed and gave her a wink before I closed the door.

I followed Reina down the front porch, walked around her toward the driveway and watched as she stared at my bike. I straddled the Harley and glanced at her.

“You coming or what?” I asked, handing her the helmet.

“Oh, I’m coming,” she said, walking toward the bike. She grabbed the helmet, fitted it to her head and placed her hand on my shoulders as she hopped on the back.

“That’s what I like to hear,” I grinned, flicking on the headlights. She pressed her body into mine, wrapped her arms around me and for a fraction of a moment I knew happiness.

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