Page 37 of Impossible

Riley will never know what it has felt like to watch her fall in love with my daughter. It’s been amazing to see them form such an instant bond. Harper is going to miss spending these days with Riley. I am going to miss coming home to the two of them.

Once it’s seven, I convince Riley not to touch the dishes while I get Harper in bed. She does way too much and I am not paying her to be my chef and maid as well as my nanny. After I make the bottle, I grab Harper from Riley and begin to head up the stairs. I see Riley get up off the couch and head towards the kitchen. I lean over the railing to put her in her place.

“Ah, ah, ah... if those dishes are done when I get back down here, you are in some serious trouble.”

I see her head fall back in frustration. “Fine!” she yells as she turns back around.

I can't help but laugh to myself at her overreaction. She is being a bit dramatic over not doing my dishes one time. I just don’t want her thinking that is the reason I like to keep her around at night since the real reason is a bit more complicated.

After Harper is done with her bottle and completely conked out, I head down the stairs to find Riley lounging on the couch reading her book. She doesn’t even seem to notice me as I make myself comfortable right next to her and turn on the tv. When I look over, she is biting her lip while concentrating hard on the page. I can tell it’s one of those books again by the cover. The cover is sporting a man with a six pack, shirtless while standing there in light jeans. I love that Riley has this side to her, one where she reads these sexy books.

“What are you looking at?” She surprises me with the question.

“I didn’t know you were aware I was even in the room, let alone looking at you.” I pinch her side playfully.

“Oh, I was aware of you walking down the stairs, sitting down next to me, turning on the tv, and staring at me like a weirdo.”

“So, I’m aweirdofor looking at your beautiful face,” I say while grabbing her around the shoulder and pulling her into me. She looks embarrassed by my compliment. “What did I say that’s making you blush like that? Called you beautiful?”

“It’s strange, you know.Youcalling me beautiful.”

“It is, I guess. I mean, I have always known you were beautiful.” She looks up at me and smiles her shy smile that I think I have come to adore. I can't help but lean in and give her a kiss. “So, were you reading any good scenes when I interrupted you?”

“What?” she asks, looking momentarily confused. “Ooh, my book. You really get a kick out of these books, don’t you?”

“I’m not sure if that’s how I would describe it. Now, tell me. Were you reading anything good when I came down?”

“Well, I think the entire book is good, but since I know what you are talking about... I read one of those scenes earlier this afternoon. I guess I was reading one of those boring, old fillers between scenes.”

“Tell me more about this scene.” Why does this turn me on so much? I want her to take off her top, put on glasses, and read this scene to me like a naughty librarian. “Actually,” I reach for the book off the coffee table and hand it to her. “Read it to me.”

I chuckle when I see her eyes open wide, waiting for me to say that I'm joking. Putting the book in her hand, I wave at her to go on with it.

“You’re serious?” she questions me.

“I’m totally serious, babe,” I say and wink at her. Laying back on the couch, I make a show of getting comfortable. “Go on, I’m ready.”