Page 76 of Off-Limits Daddy
"You know this is payback, right?"
"For what?"
I leaned close to his ear. "For being hot and broody and off-limits in public."
His shoulders tensed, but he didn’t move away. Didn’t speak either.
The water sparkled like a postcard. I peeled off my shorts and walked toward the water as if it were calling my name. I didn’t check to see if Daddy was following me. Cool waves lapped at my knees, then my thighs. Salt stuck to my lips, and I dove under.
When I surfaced, Daddy stood on the shore, hands on hips, sunglasses gone.
I waved. He shook his head but started walking in, slow and deliberate, like a man doing damage assessment.
"You gonna join me, old man?"
"Coming to rescue your dramatic ass."
"Pretty sure I can save myself."
He reached me just as another wave surged. Our bodies bumped—chest to chest, arms grazing.
He steadied me. Just for a second.
"Thanks," I said, voice low.
He didn’t let go right away.
We treaded water for a while. Not speaking much. Letting the tide do its thing. I floated onto my back, let the fading sun warm my face, and peeked at him through half-closed eyes.
He watched me.
There was distance between us—an invisible line that neither of us crossed, even though I wanted to. Always wanted to.
When our fingertips brushed, I pretended not to notice. Pretended not to want more.
Eventually, I pulled toward shore. The sand shifted under my feet as I waded out, squeezing water from my hair and pushing it back off my forehead. Daddy followed. I glanced over my shoulder and?—
Damn.
He was sunlight and muscle, all easy power and long strides. Water slicked down his torso, catching in the grooves of his stomach. His hand dragged over his face, wiping away droplets. Mouth set in that unreadable line that always made my pulse skip.
I turned away before I got caught staring. Not that I had to look to feel him coming. Everything faded when he was near.
We walked the short stretch back to our spot, the sand warm against my soles, breeze tugging at damp swim trunks. Daddy flicked a look my way.
“You good?”
“Yeah.” I dropped down on the blanket. “Love the vibes.”
His thigh bumped mine as he sank beside me, arms braced behind him. We sat in a silence that teetered between comfortable and not, ocean humming nearby. Families played down the beach. Kids shrieked. A dog barked somewhere.
I pulled open the cooler and handed him a soda. He cracked it open, sipped once, then stretched out his legs.
“What was your worst summer job?” I asked.
He snorted. “That’s a hard one. Lotta competition.”
“C’mon. Worst one. No sugarcoating.”
