Page 75 of Don't Call Me Daddy
“It’s Ivy’s turn, I think,” Roman adds, bringing us back to the game.
“Double dare,” I say, looking to Leo, but before he can give me a dare, Luka jumps in.
“What do you say we take this game to the next level?”
I quirk a brow. “How so, robot boy?”
Everyone bursts out laughing at my dig, and Luka just beams, like he isn’t the least bit embarrassed. They’re starting to feel more like family by the minute, and it catches me off guard to realize I could ever feel this comfortable joking … like siblings … with anyone besides my sister.
Luka gives Guy a knowing look before his face breaks into a sly grin. “How about a game of Sardines? For old times’ sake …”
Leo shakes his head and checks his watch. “It’s getting late. I don’t want Ivy wandering the woods alone at night?—”
“You’re on,” I blurt out before he can finish. Call me crazy, but I’m actually having a good time, seeing glimpses of Leo with his guard down, and I’m not ready for this night to end just yet.
Guy and Luka both laugh, shaking their heads.
Luka says, “Looks like you’re outnumbered, big brother, but if you’re too old to hang, we’d be happy to entertain Ivy for you.”
Leo’s jaw clenches, and so does his grip on my leg, reminding me that I’m still straddling him like we’re going to start fucking at any second. “Fine, but only one round. It’s pitch-black outhere, and I don’t need Ivy getting herself hurt tonight. She doesn’t know these woods like the rest of us.”
I wiggle back and forth, grinding myself on his rock-hard cock for just a moment, and then swing my legs around to a more appropriate position.
“Aw, look, the curmudgeon does have a soft spot for me,” I tease, running my palm over Leo’s scruffy jaw.
His hand comes down on my leg, securing me in place when I attempt to get up and move to my own seat.
Roman laughs and jerks his head to look at us. “I certainly hope so … I mean, you guys are engaged, aren’t you?”
Leo grips my hand, his eyes flashing me a reminder to watch my mouth. “Of course I do. Ivy sometimes forgetshow muchI care about her. She forgets that I’m protective of herbecauseI care so much,” he says in warning.
I swallow a gulp. “I just like to give you a hard time. You know I love your bossy, overprotective side … especially in the bedroom.”
Roman slaps his hands over his ears. “And I could’ve gone my whole life without knowing that.”
“Right on. You know what? That makes sense. I can see the appeal—” Guy nods.
“Let’s all get back on track, shall we?” Luka says, commanding everyone’s attention. “It’s your basic game of hide-and-seek, only in reverse. One person hides, and we’ll set a timer for two minutes. Then, we’ll all join. If you find the person hiding, you’ll hide with them. Everyone can use the flashlight on their phone. Stay on this side of the creek. Trees are fair game. Ivy, since it’s your turn, you can hide first.”
Leo’s hand shoots out to grab my arm. “Why don’t you pick someone else? I don’t like the idea of her being alone out there?—”
I shrug him off, moving my hand to his chest, and feel his heart pounding beneath my palm. “Then, I guess you’d better be the first one to find me.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Leo
“This is so stupid. I can’t believe I let you talk me into this. What if she trips over a tree root and knocks herself out or, God forbid, she runs into a pack of wolves or a bear?” I wipe a sweaty palm over the rough fabric of my pants as I pace back and forth by the campfire.
“She’ll be fine, Leo. It’s cute that you’re so worried about her though,” Luka says.
Roman stands from his seat by the fire and claps me on the shoulder. “It’s refreshing, seeing you like this. Sometimes, I almost forget you have a heart underneath that cold exterior.”
I swat his hand away with a grunt and check the timer on my phone.
Luka and Guy sit idly, chatting about something, like they don’t have a fucking care in the world as I watch the seconds tick by, impossibly slower than normal.
When the timer finally beeps, I let out a sigh. “Are we setting a time limit for the game? How do we know when it’s over?”
