Page 3 of My Ex's Father

Chapter 2

Amber

This is crazy. Complete and utter madness. And I’m enjoying every second of it. I know Connor is only being nice to me to make up for Alex’s behavior, but that doesn’t mean I can’t cherish every second I get to spend with him. To my surprise, my boss, Ashley, didn’t put up a fight. Connor simply told her I would be leaving with him, and Ashley nodded, wide-eyed. And then he took my arm and lead me out of the bistro, while Alex watched us with a stony expression. And now I’m sitting in a limousine with the most handsome man I’ve ever met. Usually, I would be shy and tongue-tied. But Connor is so easy to talk to. When I speak, he listens attentively, never taking his eyes off mine. It’s like he actually wants to get to know me.

“Where did you meet my son?“

His words make my smile freeze on my face. I didn’t mind any of his previous questions. Frankly, I’d do anything to keep him looking at me. But I really don’t want to talk about Alex. For the first time since we started talking, I avoid his gaze.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.“ Connor cups my face with his hand and forces me to look at him. His blue eyes are sincere. I can’t help but lean into his warm touch, and when his thumb caresses my cheek, my breath hitches. His closeness does weird things to my body, things that I haven’t felt before. Things that scare me. I clear my throat. “So, where exactly are you taking me?“

His hand drops into his lap, and I already miss his touch. “We’re going to The Ivory.“

My eyes widen. The Ivory is the best restaurant in the city. It takes months to even get a reservation. And I’m hopelessly underdressed. “I can’t go there looking like this.“ I can already imagine the stares I would get.

“Why not? You look beautiful.“

I know he’s only saying it to be kind, but his words make my heart flutter nonetheless. “I’m wearing my work clothes, Connor.“ I love saying his name. It feels strangely intimate. His eyes wander over my curves, and I blush. It’s like I can feel his gaze exploring my body.

“I think you look wonderful, Amber,“ he says in a husky voice. “But if it will make you feel better, we’ll get you something nice to wear. Today is all about you.“ His smile makes my insides melt. He doesn’t even know me, and already he’s made me feel better about myself than any man I’ve ever met.

He presses a button on the intercom and gives the driver an unfamiliar address. Within minutes, the car slows down and then comes to a halt. I lean over to open the door, but Connor puts a hand on my arm, stopping me. “That’s the driver’s job. I don’t want you lifting a finger today, princess.“ The unexpected pet name makes my heart beat faster. And when I see where he’s taken me, it almost stops in my chest. We’re standing outside the most expensive boutique in the city.

***

Connor

I’m sitting on a chair, waiting while Amber tries on dresses. One of the shop assistants tries to make small talk with me, but I’m not interested. The only woman I’m interested in is Amber. The way she looked at me when I stroked her cheek… I had to stop touching her. Just being near makes me want to kiss her, to hold her close. But when I actually touch her, I can’t think straight. And the way she blushed when I was admiring her curves… She might not know it yet, but this woman is mine.

A sudden flash of red catches my eye and I look up. When I do, my eyes almost pop out of their sockets. There’s Amber, in a long, red dress that accentuates her voluptuous body. My blood rushes downward and I have to stop myself just taking her here and now. She looks at me expectantly. “What do you think?“ She sounds unsure. She really has no idea how stunning she is. I come closer until I’m standing right in front of her. “It’s perfect. I hope I don’t ever forget the way you look in this dress, Amber.“ I press a kiss to her cheek, savoring her soft, velvety skin and her delicious scent. She smells like cinnamon cookies and vanilla. This is what happiness smells like. Reluctantly, I step back. Her cheeks are flushed and her breathing goes a little bit too fast as she looks up at me with dilated pupils. I allow myself a small grin. “Ready, princess?“ The pet name makes her smile, and she holds onto my arm. “Let’s do it.“

***

Amber

I really hope Connor will never forget how I look in this dress. Because I certainly won’t ever forget the look on his face when he first saw me in it. The way his eyes lit up and widened, just to darken with desire seconds later… This has to be more than him just making up for his son’s awful behavior, right? Still, a part of me can’t believe Connor would be interested in someone like me. And after Alex, I don’t think I could bear to be played like that again. I give my head a little shake.

“What’s going on in that pretty little head of yours?“

I can’t help but smile. I don’t think I’ve ever smiled this much in my entire life. “Oh, it’s nothing.“ He really doesn’t need to know how insecure I am. He raises an eyebrow, his lips curving upward. I wonder what it would feel like to kiss him, to feel his warm mouth against mine. I can’t take my eyes off his lips. His smile widens, and he leans in closer. I think I’m going to hyperventilate. Is he actually going to kiss me? He’s so near that I can feel his breath on my face. Just when I think he’s going to close the distance between us, the car slows down. He straightens up and clears his throat. “Are you ready for the best food this city has to offer?“

I nod enthusiastically and try to ignore the way my heart beats almost painfully in my chest. The driver opens the door and I climb out, which is easier said than done in a dress like this. Connor follows me, and as we walk towards the entrance, he takes my hand in his. We walk through the large double doors into The Ivory and, as the maitre d’ guides us to our table, I’m grateful to Connor for buying me this dress. Had I walked in here in my work clothes, I would have felt completely out of place. But in this dress, and with this man at my side, I actually feel confident. Some of the men seated at the other tables follow me with their eyes. Connor lets go of my hand, instead placing his hand on the small of my back, and pulls me closer to him. “Maybe getting you this dress was a bad idea after all. I don’t like how those men are looking at you.“ A warm glow of pleasure settles in my stomach. I like that he’s possessive. “But then you wouldn’t have seen me wearing it,“ I look up at him from under my lashes.

“True. And that would have been a real shame,“ he says as we sit down.

***

Once again I’m struck by how easy it is to talk to Connor. It’s almost like we’ve known each other for years. We talk about everything. Where we grew up, our favorite musicians, and even our families, although we both avoid mentioning Alex.

“Do you enjoy working at the bistro?“

I take a sip of wine before answering. “It’s okay. It isn’t what I really want to do.“

“What is it that you really want to do?“

I look down, twisting a strand of hair around my finger. Alex always made fun of me for it. I know Connor is nothing like him, but I couldn’t bear him laughing at me, too.

“Tell me,“ he demands.

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