Page 1 of Marrying the Billionaire Single Dad
1
Damian
"Shaving foam," I hold out my hand.
Riley clambers onto the chair and gets the can. She shakes it, then piles the foam into my outstretched palm.
"Thanks, Poppet." I slather it on, then smear the residue across her face.
She shrieks, "Ugh, Daddy." She wipes the foam off of her face and makes a gagging sound.
I laugh, then wipe my hands clean before gliding the razor up my chin.
She perches on the bathroom counter, "You're so handsome, Daddy."
I chuckle, "You're biased, sweetheart." I tilt my head and run the razor up the other cheek.
"I'm not." She shakes her head. "Even my teacher thinks so."
"Your teacher?" I narrow my gaze on her.
She jerks her chin, "She's always asking me about you."
"She is?" I frown. That's what comes from being famous; everyone seems to think they have a claim on you. And because I'm a single dad, every woman seems to want to use Riley to get to me.
She scrunches up her nose, "I think she wants to kiss you."
Wha—I lower my razor and stare at her.
How does she know about kissing? Is it normal for a five-year-old to know about that? Who could I ask about it? Not my friends; none of them are single dads so they'd have no idea what I’m talking about. Add that to the list of queries I need to investigate online. I blow out a breath. Why the hell is she growing up so quickly?
"Do you have to go?" She pouts.
"I promised Uncle Weston I'll be there for his Christmas Party."
"B...but," she purses her lips, "I want you to stay home and watch Frozen with me."
Frozen?Again.I wince. "You can watch it with Meredith." The only person I'd trust to babysit my precious little girl. Hell, she'd rightened me out when I was at my most rebellious. If anyone could take care of Riley, it would be her.
"But she's not as much fun as you, Daddy," Riley whines.
I frown at her. "Don’t trouble Meredith while I am gone."
She juts out her lower lip. Uh-oh. I know that look. It means trouble. My daughter has an unbending spirit, which is all too familiar, for I was the same way. Still am. Dare me not to do something, and hell, if I don't want to rush in to prove a point.Not much fun from the other side of the fence now, is it, ol' chap.I heave out a sigh. "Riley," I warn, "promise you'll behave."
She huffs, then winds the hem of her dress about her fingers. "When will you be back?" she asks.
"Not until later." I glance at my reflection in the mirror. How the hell am I going to manage her at fifteen if she is such a handful at five? Maybe I need to get her to socialize more with kids her age. Is it spending so much time with me that is making her grow up so quickly?
"Will you be home in time to tuck me in, Daddy?" she whines.
"I don't think so." I shoot her a sideways glance, "Remember, I was going to stay out tonight while Meredith takes care of you?"
"But I don't want Meredith." She folds her arms over her chest, "I want you, Daddy, you."
I take in her scrunched-up features, her too bright eyes, and a part of me wants to give in, to agree that I'll be back in time to tuck her in. Would that mean I am giving in too easily? Wouldn't I be spoiling her if I agreed to her demands so quickly?
"Maybe..." I wipe the remnants of the shaving foam from my face with a towel, "Maybe just today, Meredith could tuck you in?"
