Page 50 of Under Daddy's Spell

He gave her a funny look. “Once I’m done, I’ll go over everything with him like I’m doing with you. Why?”

“No reason,” Tessa replied quickly before moving on. “What now?”

“I’m going to replace the fan. It might not be as cool as you’d like, especially with the heat outside, but it should get you by. I’d be careful about running those portable units all the time, or you’ll have a nasty surprise in your electric bill next month.”

She grimaced. That’s all she needed. “Thanks for the tip.”

“At the hottest part of the day for a few days until we get the new unit installed shouldn’t be that hard of a hit though.”

“What new unit?” Had she misunderstood? “I can’t imagine Mr. Thompson approving that when it turned out to be a burned-out fan. Are you sure Mr. Cooper next door didn’t order it?”

“No. I just got off the phone with Mr. Thompson who authorized the work.”

“You talked to Myron Thompson? An older man with a raspy voice.”

“That’s the one,” he assured her. “It’s funny. Dispatch told me he asked for an inspection only when he called, no work until I discussed it with him, and his priority was to keep costs low, repairing, not replacing, if possible. But when we spoke a few minutes ago, he wanted the entire system upgraded. He wasn’t keen about the expense but said he’d gotten his money’s worth out of the old one.”He handed her a business card. “The replacement unit is a one-day job though. If you call the office, they’ll get it on the calendar.”

She took it, still not believing what was happening.

“I’ve got a parts runner heading this way with the fan. I’ll go wait for him by the truck and get what else I need.”

As she watched him go, she wanted to pinch herself. Myron Thompson didn’t spend a dime he didn’t have to. She saw Jordan’s hand in this. Rather, as he’d said last night, Daddy was taking care of his girl.

She leaned heavily against the shelves behind her and let her head fall back with a thud. Jordan had been right about everything. The apologies she owed him, and his manager were piling up fast.

Seth’s would be pretty straightforward. They were on much friendlier terms these past few days. But her face flushed hotly as she anticipated begging forgiveness from the man who, only last night, had his mouth between her thighs, gave her two phenomenal orgasms with his tongue, spanked her bare ass until it burned and tingled, and insisted through it all that she call him daddy.

The repairman looked surprised when he walked up and found her in the same spot. A little embarrassed she hadn’t moved and of where her thoughts had wandered, Tessa made her way to the front.

“What did he say?” Angie asked as soon as she cleared the aisles. “Please say he’s going to fix it. I need to lose five pounds but sweating it off in a sauna masquerading as a bookstore wasn’t how I planned it.”

“He’s repairing a burned-out fan as we speak.”

Her baker/barista, who bore the brunt of the heat, practically melted at her feet such was her relief.

“It’s only temporary though—”

“What?” she exclaimed, tensing all over again. “Why?”

“You didn’t let me finish. Mr. Thompson is paying to have a new system put in.”

Angie rubbed her ear and shook her head. “There must be something wrong with my hearing. I could have sworn you said Tightwad Thompson is paying for a new system.”

“I did.” Tessa laughed because her reaction was so similar to her own. “I think our new neighbor might have said something to him.”

“Jord-i-licious turning the screws on the old skinflint.” She grinned broadly. “I can see that. Good for him.”

“I haven’t been very nice to him since the A/C has been on the fritz. Can you whip him up something I can take as a peace offering?”

“I have peach muffins in the oven now. I used almond flour, making them low-carb. He’ll love ’em.”

“Great. Holler at me when they’re done, and I’ll go over and grovel on my knees if I have to.”

“Jord-i-licious will have you on your knees begging for something all right,” she said with a grin.

“Angie!”

“Come on, Tessa. I thought I might have to throw a bucket of water on you two the other day, right in the middle of the arts and photography section.”

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