“But I live here too.”
“Yes, but I’m sure there are times when you’re not allowed in his room or to touch certain things.” At least I hope so. When I first met Paisley, she came across like a spoiled princess, but she’s turned herself and her attitude around at school since our talk.
“Daddy always lets me in his room.”
“Because you’re his daughter. But I don’t think he would want me to invade his personal space. Let’s get a bath ready in your bathroom, okay?”
Thankfully, she doesn’t fight me on it. After her bath, I tuck her into bed and read her three more books. By the time I settle into one of the guest rooms, I’m wiped. Rowan is pulling a night shift at the hospital and Riley is no doubt banging her sexy husband, so I scroll mindlessly through social media until I drop my phone on my face.
The luxurious linens and downy pillow have me conking out in no time.
When my alarm goes off at six, I feel refreshed and limber. I stretch my arms above my head and point my toes toward the foot of the bed.
If I had a mattress and sheets like this, I wouldn’t need orgasms to relax. This was absolute Heaven. I take a quick shower in the ensuite bathroom, twirling my hair into a bun, not wanting to deal with it today.
After I pack up my things and make the bed, I tuck my shoes under my arm so I don’t wake Paisley and tiptoe down the stairs, hoping her dad is home. A duffle bag and a pair of giant-ass sneakers are by the front door that weren’t there before, which tells me he’s home. I head to the kitchen to make myself a cup of coffee before going to work. I’m not safe on the road without a shot or two of caffeine.
I round the corner and stop in my tracks. Lord help me. There’s a naked man leaning against the kitchen sink, looking out the window. Well, not totally naked, unfortunately. His back is broad and muscular, and those shoulders. Fuck. Me. Now.
My eyes trail down the indent of his spine stopping at his full, round, muscular ass, the only thing covered, and barely at that. His boxer briefs hug the two most perfect globes I’ve ever seen.Hell, I’d love to take a bite out of those cheeks, but I’d probably crack a tooth.
There’s no way in Hell I want to get busted by Hot Daddy, so I quietly lurch backward and cut through the formal dining room to the front door. I slide my feet into my flats, fish my keys out of my purse, and sneak out the front door.
CHAPTER FOUR
NASH
“What the fuck?” I jump when the front door alarm goes off. I drop my mug in the sink and rush to the front door. It’s closed, which makes no sense. “Paisley?” I call up the stairs.
I take three at a time and bust through the door to her room. Her hair is a snarly mess that’s going to be a bitch to brush out, but she’s sleeping peacefully. Thank God.
The sound of a car starting is too loud to be my neighbors. I have enough property and a buffering of woods between my house and theirs. I lift the shade to the window and spot a black Honda leaving my driveway.
“The fuck?” I glance down at my sleeping beauty and cross the hall to the guest room. It’s empty. The bed is made with precision as if my parents hadn’t spent the night, and there’s no sign of their overnight bags. No sign that they were even here. I search the other two spare bedrooms and fly down the stairs, poking my head in the living room and media room.
“What the hell?” I dig through my duffle bag, still by the front door, for my cell and dial my mother. My heart pounds in my chest as I wait for her to answer. The phone rings and rings until finally she picks up.
“Oh, Nash. I’m so sorry I forgot to call you last night.”
“You didn’t stay with Paisley?”
“Your father—”
“What happened? Is Dad okay?” My heart stops beating. Literally. Or at least it feels literal.
“He had a rough night. The doctor said—”
“Doctor? Mom. What’s going on?”
“He’s okay, honey. Stop interrupting and I’ll fill you in.”
Fuck. I take a deep breath. “Go on.”
“You know how he’s had a lingering cough? Well, yesterday it got really bad after dropping off Paisley at school. I took him to the walk-in clinic and they diagnosed him with bronchitis. I didn’t want him to get you or Paisley sick so I asked her teacher, Miss Wentworth, to watch her. She’s a respected teacher and Paisley really loves her.”
“Well, she’s not here.” I’d have noticed if a sweet old lady was lurking around my house.
“I told her you’d be back in the middle of the night and that she could leave in the morning for school. I meant to call you but we spent five hours at the clinic yesterday, and you know what a terrible patient your father is. I’m sorry, honey, for not telling you. But she’s a sweet young lady, and like I said, Paisley adores her. She saved us last night.”