Page 20 of Guardian Daddy's Girl
He finishes dishing up and I let go of him. He sets it out on a placemat he laid out with a knife, fork and a few assorted sauces and jams.
“Here we go,” he says. “A breakfast fit for a princess.”
“There’s only one plate,” I look as confused as I sound.
“Yes, sadly, I have to run. My late night wasn’t from finishing everything I had to do, just pushing it aside because you are more important.” Rex smiles at me and leans against the counter. “But if you’ll join me, we can do dinner tonight? See where it takes us.”
“It’s a date,” I say, grabbing a strip of bacon off the plate and taking a bite. “My classes finish at four, so … ”
“I’ll be here at six.” And with a quick peck on the cheek, Rex heads back upstairs to change for his day at work.
After breakfast, I have a shower, get ready for my day and laze around the living room until it’s time to leave. My classes blast by in a blur, though I suppose it shouldn’t be surprising when I have something to look forward to.
Before I know it, Lucy and I are already making our way back to her car. We take the same route we always take, though this time there isn’t any complaining about me ditching her. Instead, she’sbombarding me with a million questions about my day out with Rex and the night that followed.
She knew I was a virgin. One of the many reasons she had to try and find me a man.
“You have to tell me everything,” Lucy says. She’s holding onto my arms by the elbows, walking backwards so she can see my face while we talk. “What was he like? Was he good to you? Did he last long or was he a one pump chump?” She gyrates her hips, mimicking a thrust. Both of us chuckle at the silliness.
“Luce, please.” It was hard enough to admit it, but where I thought that would put an end to her obsession with my love life, telling her we had sex fanned the flames harder. “I’ll tell you all about it, but not right now.”
“Sex isn’t something to be embarrassed about,” Lucy says, shaking her head. “Why are you going all red in the face?”
“Because.” There’s no more to it. It seems being with him isn’t the only thing that can make me blush. The mere thought of Rex is enough to fill my belly with butterflies and leave my head spinning.
“Fine, but you’re gonna have to fess up sometime.”
The parking lot is empty this time of day. The afternoon rush has passed, and only a few cars from the late leavers remain. Unluckily for us, one of those cars belongs to Damien Murray. Seeing how we share some of the same classes, it makes sense that he’d still be here. But what puts me on edge is that this time he’s parked much closer to Lucy’s car, and he and his pack of hoodlums are hovering outside it instead of leaving.
“When am I gonna meet him?” Lucy asks, oblivious to what’s happening behind her.
“Soon, I promise. I just wanna bask in the glow of having him to myself a little longer first,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady. It could be nothing, right? They’re just chatting before they go home.
That dream is dashed when they notice us walking up. Damien nods in our direction, and starts walking over to us.
Fuck. They probably noticed it was Lucy’s car and waited for us.
Noticing my discomfort, Lucy looks over her shoulder to see Damien and the other three coming toward us.
“Not today, boys,” Lucy says long before they get anywhere close.
It doesn’t deter them. They continue walking until they’re on us. Two in front, two behind.
My heart starts pounding in my chest, and I get the feeling that this is going to end very badly. My first instinct is to call Rex, but it’s too late now. If I reach into my bag, they might make a move. And I’d prefer to get out of this unharmed if I can.
“Ladies, looking sexy as ever,” Damien’s the first to speak. “Dylan here,” he pats a tall, lanky guy on the shoulder. “Is throwing a party tonight. And I wanted to extend your invites personally.”
He’s all smiles, playing polite. But his eyes tell a different story. They’re filled with malice and ill intent.
“Like I said, we’re not interested,” Lucy speaks. I don’t know where she finds the strength to stand up to them.
“And if I said it’s mandatory?” Damien’s face hardens and he shoves a hand into his pocket.
Seeing it makes me scared for the first time in weeks.
And all I can do is pray that this doesn’t go where I think it will.
9
