Page 9 of Guardian Daddy's Girl
I wonder if his reaction is caused by a distrust of people, or if it has something to do with his time in the military. I won’t pry about it. If this was something he wanted to talk about, he’d have done so.
Slipping my hand a little higher up his thigh, I give Rex a reassuring peck on the cheek. “Then I won’t keep you here longer than I need to.”
“Better get to it then, Kitten.” He turns to look at me with a naughty grin tugging at his lips. “’cause if that hand moves any higher, we’re not gonna be leaving this car.”
“See, now you’re talking my language,” I tease, but release his thigh and open my door. We start with the necessities, food, toiletries and other essentials, I’ve found myself neglecting to buy. Once they’re out of the way, Rex and I stop for lunch. Mall food court pizza for him and a sandwich for me, with coffee to drink.
We eat in silence, but I keep my eye on him. Watching how his eyes flick from one person to the next, sussing them out for potential threats. And I’ve gotta say, his intensity is super freaking hot.
“A few more stops and we can get out of here,” I say, trying to break the tension and bring him back down to earth.
“You said that a few shops ago,” he teases me. “But take all the time you need, Kitten. I’m all yours for the day.”
It’s this sort of selflessness that draws me closer to Rex. From the day my father passed, he’s put my wants and needs over his own. Even when it drives him crazy.
I grab his hand and yank him in the direction of our final stop. Originally, I wanted to draw this process out and make him come undone at the seams slowly. But something tells me we won’t reach the main event if I don’t make my move now.
Dragging him through the bustling crowd, we stop in front of a clothing store. The mannequins in the mirror have sleek, designer apparel draped over them. From soft sweaters to sporty suit jackets, this place has it all. And I’d know, having spenthours online searching for the perfect place. The perfect outfit to drive Rex crazy.
“I’m not suited for clothes shopping,” he says, staring into the wide-open space with rows of shelves packed with clothes.
“Then how about I run in, and I’ll call you when it’s time for the try-on?”
“Now you’re talking my language,” he offers an open hand to take the bags I’ve collected so far.
“Don’t go too far,” I say, giving them over. “You’re really not gonna want to miss this.”
Rex falls into a fluffy red chair that seemingly overlooks the entire store. I start making my way through the store, picking up a bunch of different outfits. Floral summer dresses, jeans and t-shirts, pretty much anything I can get my hands on. But this is all for distraction.
My final destination is in the back of the store, tucked away in an alcove. The lingerie section, hidden from open view because of the risqué nature, and good God, do they have plenty of choices on offer. It takes me a while to find the set I know will drive Rex crazy. And along with a few others, I head back to the main floor.
Finding Rex, still sitting in the same chair, I beckon him toward me with a single finger. He comes without question, trailing close behind me until we get to the fitting rooms.
“So, you ready for the show?” I ask, guiding his eyes to the mountain of clothes in my arms.
“It’s been burning a hole in my head since you said it,” he says.
“Oh good,” I say, stepping into the small cubicle. “And I know it won’t disappoint.”
I shut the door, preparing mentally for what I’m about to do to him.
But mostly, for what he’s about to do to me.
5
REX
Iwish I could say the last fortnight was eventful. That I crafted a plan for how I could help Hailey, while keeping my own life in order.
That would be a lie.
I run a private security firm, and the job often calls for stakeouts. No one at the office has questioned me for being away this long so far, and I doubt they ever will, considering I’m usually doing some deep undercover work for a secretive employer.
It happens more often than you’d think.
“What do you think of this one?” Hailey pulls the door open and snaps me back to reality.
We’ve gone through four different outfits now. Each one, better than the last, and the trend’s continuing.
