"Daddy!"

As he approaches, I crouch down and embrace him in my arms.

I peer over his shoulder at Wren, who is standing afar, and my gaze sweeps down her perfect body, realizing it's yet another missed opportunity, but she's not going anywhere anytime soon.

At least not until I’ve had my way with her and broke her into a million pieces. This girl makes me lose control; the degree of control I'd managed to uphold for the past three fucking years was shattered the instant I laid eyes on her, and I despise both of us for it.

"Wren said you made cookies, but she wouldn't let me eat one."

She narrows her eyes and smiles at me as soon as I snitch on her to Cree, but I remain expressionless.

"No, daddy, you weren't allowed one until I was awake. Sorry, but you can have it now!”

I lift him up, and we head to the kitchen, with Wren close behind. When we walk in, I set him at the end of the kitchen island, next to the plate of cookies, and he points to the largest one.

"See! That big one is yours!"

I lift it up off the plate, and he watches with big eyes of anticipation while I take a huge bite.

"Mmmm... Finally... I've only just eaten lunch, but this is hitting the spot just as much.”

My eyes flick in Wren’s direction as she takes a seat on a stool at the far end of the island, and she gives me a shy smile, tucking a couple of strands of her dark hair behind her ear, almost mesmerizing me with her beauty.

I take my focus away from her and return it to Cree.

"This is the best cookie I've ever had, Cree. You need to make more for Daddy soon."

He smiles up at me, his gappy teeth showing, and then waits for me to eat the entire huge fucking thing. When I'm finished, I know my strict diet is ruined for the week, but his smile makes it worthwhile.

It's late in the evening, and I've just tucked Cree into bed after feeding and bathing him. I gently close his door, trying not to make a sound, before walking to my room.

When I enter, I check the time on my phone and find that it's a little after 7 p.m., so I start stripping down to take a much needed shower.

Once I get inside, I wash my hair and scrub my tanned skin until I feel clean and ready to get out. I tiptoe to turn it off, and as I turn around, my body leaps off the ground, my breath catching in my throat as I notice Arlo standing there, leaning against the door frame with his hands in his pants pockets.

His wicked eyes scan the entire length of my naked, wet body until they swiftly meet mine. I shift my attention to his attire and notice that he appears to be ready to go out for the evening.

He's dressed in a buttoned-down black fitted silk shirt that exposes his fully tattooed chest and ripped arms, a chunky silver cross around his neck, black tight trousers that embrace his muscular legs and calves, and black, glossy pointed shoes.Fuck, he looks hot.

My mouth waters at the sight of him and as I reach for a towel, I break eye contact.

"Are you going somewhere nice?"

He responds while I wrap the towel over my damp body.

"I have a few friends coming over for poker night."

I stand in front of the mirror before side-eyeing him as soon as I notice him pushing himself off the door frame and when he is behind me, we lock eyes in the mirror.

"Join us if you want."

Suddenly feeling very reluctant, I glance away.

"I'm actually quite tired."

I can feel his intense gaze all over me, but I don't look at him and after a brief pause, he finally responds.

"Have a good evening."