Page 50 of Dreaming

“How about loving me down later?”

He winked. “Done.” He stroked Nia’s hair from her cheek. “How are you feeling?”

“Not too bad considering my sister is a raging psychopath.”

Quirking his brow, he quipped, “Family, am I right?”

She wrapped her arms around him and he hugged as much of her as possible. Her body trembled with stress she was trying to hide.

“Steady, baby. Steady. It’s going to be okay.” She nodded against his chest. “Let’s get some food in you and figure out what the hell is happening.” He added in a whisper, “I’m actually embarrassed.”

Leaning back, she grinned. “Oh, that gorgeous cock should never, ever embarrass you, Dennis. It’s glorious.”

“All yours.”

“Mm hmm.” She lifted her thumb and rubbed it over his lower lip with a small sigh.

“That’s all yours, too.” She shivered. “Later.”

First the shit show with her sister.

Then loving Nia down to ease her mind about it. He took his new role seriously.

Chapter Seventeen

Opening the door to his father the next day, Dennis smiled. “Dad.” He hugged him hard. “You brought it?”

“Course, boy! Nearly killed myself getting here to see it done at long damn last.” Slipping him the small box, he winked. “Girl must have a golden…”

“Nia! Meet my father.” She stepped up beside him and was positively glowing with good health after a few days home. “Dad, this is Nia Webber. Baby, this is my dad, Cedric.”

“It’s such a pleasure to meet you, sir.”

“Well, now.” His dad blinked. “My boy has talked about you endlessly and I thought he must’ve been pulling my leg. I can tell now he wasn’t.” Reaching out, he took her hand and patted it. “Call me Cedric.”

“We made some appetizers but let me get you something to drink first. Dennis mentioned you have a fondness for white rum. Rocks or straight?”

“You know the way to an old man’s heart. Rocks, clever girl.”

Dennis closed the door with a grin as his dad followed Nia like she was a unicorn.

It was a reaction he understood well.

In the kitchen, she poured Cedric a drink and held it out. His father accepted it gratefully and took a sip.

Leaning on the counter, she asked, “You’ve been watching the bar?”

“I have. Loving it. When the bands finish their set, I go on up to play my horn with them. Feels good. The people watching the place, they’re nice. I try to keep them fed but they won’t touch a drop of booze.”

He winked. “Not like the cops back in the day, I’ll tell you that. Those fellas could drink a bar dry.” Looking around, he asked, “This your house, honey?” She nodded. “You own it? All by yourself?”

She laughed. “Yes.”

“Means you’re a hard worker and good with money. My boy will have a lot to manage one day so you help him. Take some for yourself when he’s not looking.”

“I’d never do that…”

“Every woman should skim a little off the top for a rainy day. Always have a nest egg for a just in case situation. I was married to Dennis’ mother for twenty-six years and made her snatch a bit from me every week and put it somewhere I couldn’t touch it.”

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