Page 36 of Coulda

“Exactly.”

Amber considered pushing him for more information but decided maybe she didn’t want to know. “I’ll just be good, and I’ll never find out,” she suggested.

“Good plan,” he encouraged and took the fork from her hand to scoop up a portion of the delicious concoction. Rio lifted it to her lips and at the last moment, turned the fork to zoom it into his mouth, leaving Amber with her mouth open. The twinkle of merriment in his eyes made her giggle.

“Daddy!”

CHAPTER13

After gathering all her possessions from her parents’ house and moving everything to Rio’s place, Amber dressed for the fancy reunion dinner in the late afternoon. Her shapewear made the cocktail dress look amazing, but it compressed her punished bottom, reminding her to be very good.

She was putting the final touches on her makeup when her phone rang. Amber smiled at the name on her phone as she answered it, putting it on speaker so she could continue getting ready.

“Harper! Are you heading over to the reunion?” she asked.

“We’re walking out the door right now.” Harper’s sweet voice sounded nervous.

“Be ready for some questions,” Amber warned.

“Just give me a hug instead,” Harper whispered.

“Fifteen minutes, Amber. Meet you there,” Colt called from close by.

“I’m putting my shoes on. Rio’s driving me.”

“Tell me he’s wearing a suit,” Harper demanded.

“He’s wearing a suit.”

“Damn. See you soon.” Harper ended the call.

“Does Harper have a thing about suits?” Rio’s deep voice said from the doorway into the magical room where he stowed her suitcase.

Amber whirled around with her stilettos in hand to see him. Her gaze ran over the perfectly tailored suit that revealed his athletic form and concealed his tattoos. Rio looked like a very wealthy, very successful business executive. “Goodness. You are a banker,” she said, walking toward him.

“My father almost approves of my appearance these days when I have to work at the bank,” Rio shared, straightening his cuffs so only a hint of the gorgeous tattoos that decorated his forearms showed. He raised his pant leg a few inches to display his red socks.

“Your father is a fool.” Amber offered him her mouth for a kiss.

When he lifted his head, she smiled. “That was totally worth messing up my lipstick for.”

“You can fix it in the car. Let’s go. Your friends are waiting. Let me help.”

Rio knelt on one knee at her feet and ran an admiring hand from the modest hem of her fitted cocktail dress to one foot. Plucking the fancy shoes from her hand, he slid each one over her toes and into place before standing to admire the picture she presented.

“I am a very lucky Daddy,” he admitted, stepping forward to wrap a hand around her waist and guide her to the door. “You might make it to our bed before that dress is on the floor.”

What could she say to that? Rio was a very sensual man. She had no doubt he wouldn’t hesitate to make love to her wherever they happened to be.

“Are you really building a house on that spot?” Amber asked.

“The builder is meeting me out there on Monday to get started,” Rio told her as he buckled her safely into his sports car parked in the garage next to her snazzy ride that now occupied one space.

When they arrived at the venue hosting the reunion gathering, Amber tried to wait patiently for Rio to park and come around the car to unlock the door. When he opened it, she burst from the car and started walking immediately toward the side door where the group of friends had promised to meet. She could see everyone had already arrived.

“Ella.”

Amber stopped in her tracks, recognizing that as the only warning she would receive. She looked over her shoulder to see Rio walking slowly toward her. When he reached her, he held out his hand for hers and then continued his same deliberate pace with Amber, protecting her from traffic by his body.

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