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“What the hell did you put in these?” I try not to grin like an idiot. He already likes my pussy. It shouldn’t matter so much that he likes my cooking too. Dad reaches out and slaps Luther’s shoulder. “Told you my girl has talents.”
He pulls the clean fork out from between his lips, and his eyes close as he starts to chew. I take a drink of my coffee to help my suddenly dry throat.
Then Luther startles everyone when he groans. Loudly. Dad jerks his head in Luther’s direction. “Damn, Rocky. Keep it in your pants, would you? My daughter’s here.”
“Sorry, but he started it with that R-rated noise he was making.”
“So… you know what Luther’s R-rated sounds are like? Is there something you two want to tell me? Is that what this breakfast is all about?”
Dead
Luther lays a hand on my dad’s shoulder with a wicked grin aimed my way. “That’s right, Kendra. I’m your daddy now too.” I gape. He. Didn’t.
I look down, staring at the caramelized bananas. It’s a simple thing. A chivalrous thing. But it’s more than that. It’s the same thing he did at the Inn when he ordered us those burgers.
“Back to my original point,” Dad repeats loudly. “I believe Rocky was moaning and groaning in an effort to say he likes your cooking.”
“And that’s not for nothing,” Dad adds, and I see a slight wince pass over Luther’s features. “I don’t know if you noticed it, but you would’ve driven past the restaurant Rocky owns on your way here.”
“Restaurant?” “It’s attached to a place called The Rocky Ridge Inn. He owns it.”
“Come to think of it.” Dad snaps his fingers. “Ashley will be back in, what, just a couple weeks?” Luther replies with a slow nod. My eyes narrow. “Who’s Ashley?”
Luther inhales, his shoulders straightening as he prepares to answer. “My daughter.” Oh.
“Practically a decade.” I pretend to joke, but I do believe in rounding up. And fuck if I didn’t wish I had told Kendra about Ashley myself. In private. It’s not a big deal. At least, I hope it isn’t to Kendra.
When I look at Kendra, she’s biting her lip… trying not to laugh. Relief chases away my anxiety. This fucking brat.
“One of these years, I’ll get him to take me to his place in Vail for a romantic weekend.” “Next anniversary,” Luther replies. “We have an anniversary?” Luther shakes his head. “This is why I don’t take you.”
And the worst part of this gross, guilty feeling… I know I’m going to pursue her. Maybe not as a relationship, because I don’t know how that would work. With the age gap. My adult child. Kendra’s whole life ahead of her… But I know I’m going to sleep with her again. There’s no doubt about it. Just… when? And how?
With my body blocking my actions, I reach into the center console and find what I need. And after Joe gets the boat situated, I slide the matchbook into my pocket, then follow him into the house.
“How far away does he live?” “Rocky?” Dad tips his head from side to side. “Twenty, give or take. He’s over by the Inn.” “By the Inn, not at the Inn.”
“Were you talking about me?” Dad says no at the same time I say yes. “Okay.” Luther drags out the word before turning his attention to me. “Kendra, it was nice to meet you.” “You too.” I roll my lips together. “Thank you for breakfast. It was delicious.”
I want to stop him. Want to ask him if he’d like to sit on the couch with me. Stay a while. But obviously I can’t do that. So I watch him walk away. And I watch him pause. Watch him look back over his shoulder at me, one last time, before he disappears out the door.
I mean, I know he’ll come back over. I didn’t know Luther was really Rocky when I slept with him. But now that I know, I know Rocky’s the guy my dad is always talking about. I’m pretty sure they go fishing every month. Pretty sure they see each other most weekends for some meal or another.
But as I step into my bathroom, as I see the matchbook sitting on the counter, I accept I’m not a good daughter. I pick up the matchbook, rubbing my thumb over the simple Rocky Ridge Inn logo before turning it over.
Omfg
No, I’m not a good daughter at all. Because Luther wrote his number on the back of the matches, and instead of lighting the whole thing on fire, I take out my phone and save the digits.
Unwell
Do I call him? Text him? I bite down on my lip. Calling shouldn’t feel so intimidating. But it does. And texting… Oh my god, Kendra. He’s older, not ancient. This isn’t a number for a rotary phone.
Cackling
Unknown: You know how to text, Old Man? My grin grows. Me: I know how to do a lot of things, Baby.
Baby Doll: Skilled with his hands and technology. Color me impressed. Me: Skilled with more than just my hands. Or do you need a reminder?
OH MY GOD
Baby Doll: My memory is a little foggy… I think a reminder will be necessary. Me: I think that can be arranged. Baby Doll: Promises. Promises.
Me: I always keep my promises. Baby Doll: I’ll hold you to that.
Me: Before you go dream of me, I need you to answer a question. Baby Doll: Bold assumption.
Me: Am I wrong? Baby Doll: I hope not. I’d love for you to finish what you started in my dreams last night.
Me: Details, Baby. Give me details. Baby Doll: I think I prefer your imagination running wild. Me: Brat. Baby Doll: So you say. Now what’s your question?
Me: What color were your panties today?
Before I can overthink it, I take a picture of the red thong lying on top of my clothes and hit send.
Before I open the door, I scan the crowd scattered around the yard. I just want to see… I find her in a blink. In a fucking slutty little sundress. I shake my head. She’s too much of a goddamn temptation as it is. But dressed like that… Kendra is across the yard, standing there with her floral-printed skirt fluttering a couple inches above her knees.
Joe grins and nods to my hand. “Did you bring me flowers?” The guy Joe was talking to laughs. “This is how those rumors get started.” I shake my head. “It’s a succulent, not a flower.” I lift the little plant. “And it’s for Kendra, not you.”
A welcome party because she lives here now. My gaze lifts past Joe. And I lock eyes with her. My girl. “I’ll be back,” I say as I slap Joe on the back again. Then I walk away, not giving him a chance to protest or come with me.
“Luther.” One of the guys makes a sound of surprise. “Wait, what?” I glance at him before holding out the plant for Kendra. “Not sure you still deserve this after outing me like that.”
“Hold up.” The guy holds a hand up. “Is your name really Luther?” I turn to him, letting my body shift a little closer to Kendra. “It is, but only she gets to call me that.”
“Did you eat already?” I ask the woman, who is still gently touching her new plant. She lifts her head. “I could snack.” I gently press my hand to the center of her back. “I’ll go with you.”
My dad didn’t specifically say Luther was coming today, but I assumed he’d be in attendance. And with that assumption, I dressed with Luther in mind.
“Thank you for the succulent.” I lift the little pot. “You really didn’t need to.” “You’re welcome.” He takes a step toward me. “It reminded me of you.”
“Oh?” He dips his chin. “Matches your nails. Kind of.” I look at the pale blue ceramic and then at the periwinkle paint on my fingernails. I smile. “It kind of does.”
“Luther,” I say quietly. He lifts a hand toward my cheek. “Baby—” Down the hall, the bathroom door opens. I step back. Luther drops his hand. “Thanks for the plant.” I speak louder than necessary. “I’ll put it on my desk.” “Ah, yes, your new work-from-home office.” “It’s coming together.”
Luther clears his throat. And when I lift my gaze to meet his, I can see the humor in his eyes. Oh, he thinks this is funny? Well, there are way more men than women here, and I’m wearing the flirtiest thing I own. I roll my shoulders back.
I take another breath, this one to calm my inner bitch. Susan doesn’t deserve my shitty thoughts. She’s reacting like any straight woman would around Luther. Doesn’t mean I won’t pay Luther back for this.
Kendra steps past me, but before she can cross the threshold, I reach out and hook my arm around her chest, my palm flat against her bare cleavage.
“What do you know about pearl necklaces, Kendra Doll?”
“I know I wouldn’t mind you giving me one.” “Christ.” I apply pressure against her chest as I lean into her, squeezing our bodies together. “The real question is, how do you know about them, Old Man?”
“I might be a generation older than you, Brat, but I’ve been single for a long time.”
“And?” “And I watch porn, Kendra,”
