The Single Dad (The Dalton Family, #3)

by Marni Mann

“Hey, hey,” I whispered into her face. The heat from her crying thick like steam. “I know you don’t know my voice or the feel of my arms, but I’m going to tell you something.” I pressed my lips against her forehead, breathing her in, her scent so clean and powdery. “I’m never going to let anything happen to you.” I held my lips there, my eyes closing, my heart pounding away. “I promise.”

“Here I go. Wish me good luck,” I said. She snorted. “Good luck, Daddy.” With her wet hair all combed, I separated it into three sections, starting the painful process of weaving. “I swear, your hair gets thicker and harder to braid every day.” “It’s ’posed to be easy. You been doing it foreveeer.” I laughed at her remark. “Cut your old man some slack, little one. Hair isn’t my specialty.” Braids were something I still couldn’t grasp.

“Whatever you say. You’re the boss.” I quickly pecked the animals and stopped when I reached my baby’s forehead, where I left my lips as I said, “Are you going to be a good girl for Hannah when she watches you tonight?” “Of course, silly.” The words that came out of this four-year-old’s mouth constantly made me chuckle. “I’m the silly one?” I tickled her belly. “I think you hold that title, Miss Eve.” She snorted. “I’m always a good girl, Daddy.” “You are. Most of the time.” I tucked a loose strand behind her ear.

I hugged her against my chest. “I’m afraid of the teenage version of you. It’s a good thing I have

quite a few years before we get there. I need to prep myself.” “Daddy, I’m going to be so sassy.” “That’s what I’m afraid of.”

“Just try not to kick her tonight. Last time, she almost went home with a black eye.” She covered her mouth with her hand. “That was the lion’s fault, Daddy. He’s ’posed to protect her. I can’t help I get all wild when I sleep.” I loosened my grip, resting her against the bed, and flattened my palm on her stomach, her large blue eyes gazing back at me. “My beautiful baby girl.” “Baby?” she huffed. “But I’m a big girl.” “Eve, you’ll always be my baby. Even when you go off to college and get married someday⁠—” “Echhh.”

“If you find crumbs in her bed tomorrow, don’t murder me.” The present she’d referenced. I should have known. “You know she already brushed her teeth.” She grinned. “And you know I’m still going to give them to her anyway.” “You’re the unruliest part-time nanny in the world.”

“I brought you a little gift,” I said to him and took the napkin-wrapped cookie out of my pocket and set it on the table in front of him. “What the fuck is this?” Declan asked, unwrapping it. “Hannah made it.” I smiled. “You know, the girl you’re driving into the fucking grave.” “Jesus Christ.” He held up his whiskey. “I need ten more of these just to deal with her. If she wasn’t a Dalton, I would have fired her ass a long time ago.”

“Do you know what I see when I look at him?” “I can’t wait to hear this.” She squeezed my shoulder. “Handcuffs. Dirty sex. Waking up in the morning with his face between your legs.” She lowered her voice, finally whispering, “That man has dominance written all over him.”

“What I’m thinking about is your mouth.” He ran his thumb over my bottom lip and then the top. “What it would taste like. What it would feel like.” His gaze was there, on the spot he was speaking about, making those same lips part. “And I don’t know how much longer I can wait to find out.”

My lips touched her cheek, skin that was soft, delicate. I dragged them to her ear, inhaling her scent that reminded me of a piña colada, hair that tickled my face.

“Your friends are standing at the bar. Go to them,” I whispered in her ear. Her chest stopped rising as she moved to look at me. “Go,” I added, “before I toss you over my shoulder and carry you out of here.” I took a breath, only smelling her. “One more second, and I won’t be able to stop myself.” I ground my teeth into my lip, her gaze taunting me, building this tease. “Sydney … go.” Her smile made my dick even harder, especially as she swiped a finger across my lips, like she was wiping herself off me, before she walked over to her friends.

“Jesus Christ,” Jenner said, taking the empty seat next to mine, moving it closer before he sat. “Who the hell was that?”

“A girl I can’t get enough of.” I put my back toward the bar, so I wouldn’t keep staring at her. “She must feel the same way because she keeps looking over here,” Dominick said. “Oh, hell yes, that girl has it bad for you,” Declan said.

Me: On my way home, and I’m not alone. Make sure Everly stays in her room and doesn’t try to come into mine. It’s been her thing lately—and that can’t happen tonight. Hannah: Easy solution: lock your door. Now, I’m going back to bed, and I’m going to try not to have nightmares over this conversation. Because gag.

I grazed my lips across hers, taking in her coconut scent, trying to fill my lungs with air. As our eyes locked, a smile passed over her mouth, and she whispered, “Who are you?” It was as though I’d voiced those words, the very same thought in my head. Who is this girl … and what the fuck is she going to do to me?

“Last night was amazing,” I continued. His eyes closed, and he kissed my cheek. “I had a great time too.” He said nothing for a few seconds and then, “I’d like to see you again.” A tingle erupted between my legs. “You would?” His lips were only inches from mine. “Why are you questioning that?” He shifted to my neck, tasting me, like he was discovering new skin.

“Daaaddy, I need to go put on my dress.” She wiggled her leg off me and pushed her little butt to the end of the bed, jumping onto the floor.

“Don’t you think we should call your uncles first to make sure they can come over?” “You call.” Her tiny, bare feet started to run. “I have to go get ready.” “Don’t run!” I yelled as she rushed out of my room. “Be careful on the stairs. One at a time, and use the railing.” “I knooow.” That girl, I thought, shaking my head.

Me: Your niece would like to cordially invite you to the breakfast party she’s having this morning. She’s in her room right now, putting on her party dress. She’ll be terribly disappointed if you can’t attend. No pressure. Dominick: Is she doing the cooking? Jenner: Because if it’s you making those pancakes and not her, I’m not coming. Me: Dicks. Dominick: Chef Craig is due at my place around 9. I’ll text him and send him to your house instead, letting him know we’re switching days. Me: It’s just pancakes. I think I can handle it. Jenner: Dom, send him over. Ignore Ford.

Dominick: Done. Me: Does that mean you’re all coming? Say around ten? Dominick: Kendall and I will be there. Jenner: Jo and I will too. Dominick: What’s going on with the girl from the bar? Is she joining in on this morning’s family feast? Me: Eve wanted to invite her, but I shot that down before it could become a thing. They met—by accident. Fuck me. Jenner: Oh fuck, how’d that introduction go? Me: Shockingly … perfect. Jenner: Then, what the hell are you waiting for? Invite the girl for breakfast. Me: Don’t start. Dominick: Brother, you know we haven’t really even gotten started. Me: It’s too early for this shit. I’m not going there with you two. Jenner: Pussy. Me: See you bitches in a couple hours.

“To one delicious pancake party, my little one,” Dominick said as he held Everly in his arms, clinking his Bloody Mary against Everly’s lidded plastic cup of orange juice.

Since Jo, Kendall, and Hannah were drinking mimosas, she wanted to be just like the girls—even if orange juice wasn’t her favorite. “Uncle D, you didn’t hit my cup hard enough. I wanna feel the slosh inside.” “Let me fix that,” Dominick replied, making a new attempt, which caused a few drops of his Bloody Mary to splash on the lid of Everly’s cup. “Maybe that was a little too hard.” Eve giggled.

“Eve, your uncle is hogging you,” Kendall said as she sat next to Dominick on the couch. She held out her arms and added, “When is it my turn to snuggle with you?” “Now,” Eve sang, climbing onto Kendall’s lap. “Yippee!” Kendall straightened the bottom of Everly’s skirt, fluffing it even higher. “I’m obsessed with your tutu.” Man, I was so lucky to have Kendall, Jo, and Hannah in my family; they were such amazing motherly figures in Everly’s life.

My family spoiled her rotten. I couldn’t keep track of all the gifts and purchases. Even today, Dominick had bought Everly pink roses—her favorite. Jenner had brought some fancy hot chocolate to go with her pancakes that had colorful marshmallows and sprinkles. I had no idea where he’d found that shit before ten in the morning, but leave it to my brothers.

“She’s adorable, Ford. You two seem very close.” “We are.” He exhaled loudly. “And we always have been, even during the days when I had no idea what I was doing.” I placed my hand on his arm, surprised by the jolt of sensations that instantly moved through me. “No one does. It’s all a giant guessing game, especially when they’re born. How old were you when she was born?” He was silent for a few seconds before he answered, “Twenty-four. I hadn’t given children much thought. I was far more concerned with partying and making money than being responsible for someone other than myself.” When our eyes connected, there was emotion in his. Emotion I couldn’t quite pinpoint. “But Everly came into my life and exploded everything I’d thought to be true. It’s just been her and me ever since.”

Instead of asking any of those, I softly said, “She’s lucky to have you.” “Nah, Sydney.” He stilled, his voice so coarse. “I’m the lucky one to have her.” I melted. My heart, my body—all combining together into a puddle of goo in this seat.

“You’re tempting me to take you home.” I laughed. “To wrap an apron around my waist and make you cookies that will rival anything you’ve ever tasted?” “Sydney …” His hand returned to my mouth. This time swiping across my lip. Slowly. “I said nothing about putting you in my kitchen.”

“I want you to come the second I enter you.” She was tightening around my fingers. “I want to feel the orgasm pulse through you.”

“I want you to think of this moment every time you sit down for breakfast,” I said and plunged inside her. “I want you to think of my fucking cock when you’re drinking coffee here.”

The tingling making it hard for me to process the reality of this situation. “What are you saying, Ford?” He was silent as he stared at me. “I don’t see a way around this.” “I’m not sure I understand.” “I can’t have both, Sydney.” Both. And then it hit me. It was either the job or the start of this relationship—or whatever direction we were moving in, together. But I couldn’t have both.

As I stood with my bag, he said, “I want you to know, you’re an incredible woman to sacrifice the possibility of us—all for my daughter.”

“Sydney,” I heard when I was halfway down the hallway, realizing the sound had come from one of the offices I’d already passed. I backed up to the closest doorway, where Hannah was inside, sitting behind a desk. “Hey,” I said to her. “How did things go?” I shrugged. “Good, I think. He’s going to let me know in the morning.” She got up and walked toward me. “I hope this doesn’t affect you two. I mean, he’s been in such a good mood since he met you.”

“It will. I had to choose.” The crushing blow moved across her face. “Oh God, no.” I nodded. “I picked Everly.”

Still looking at him, I said, “Yours was just graduating. Mine is just starting.” “Notice how he called her mine,” Dominick said. “It means nothing.” “Bullshit,” Dominick shot back. “But we’ll go with it, for shits and giggles.”

“Tonight is a tryout,” I told him. “If she gets the job, I’ll let you know, and, yes, I’d like you to make sure her favorites are all stocked.” “By the looks of it, she’s already nailed the Everly side of the interview.” I said nothing, finishing off the rest of the beer. “I mean, hell, look at them.” He nodded toward the stairs that the two girls were descending, hand in hand, their laughter drifting into the kitchen. “If that’s not a perfect sight, shit, I don’t know what is.”

Sydney glanced at me, and my dick pounded through the jeans I’d changed into when I ditched my suit. “Your daddy gives you good advice.” Daddy. That fucking word.

From Sydney’s mouth. Jesus. I looked away from her and started to guzzle.

“Can you guess what this is?” She wiggled in her seat—a sign that she knew the answer. “He-he. A punkin. Like Halloween!” “Everly, can you say pumpkin instead?” I sounded out the entire word, emphasizing the letters she had missed. “Punkin. That’s what I said. Puuunkiiin.” I couldn’t help but laugh. And I could hear Ford do the same.

“In what way?” Dominick asked. They weren’t going to give up. That much was apparent. “In every way,” I replied. “You guys haven’t seen Eve since I hired Sydney. Just wait. You’ll notice the change in her. You’ll see it. Hear it.” “Don’t even tell me we’re getting close to her not being my little girl anymore,” Dominick said. “I won’t be able to handle it.”

Since there was no reason to reply, I set the phone on the table and gazed up at the guys. Both were staring at me. “What?” I asked. “What?” Dominick mocked, laughing.

“I know a topic I’m going to harp on tonight,” Declan said. I groaned and nursed my drink. “If it’s Hannah, I don’t want to hear it.” “Neither do I,” Camden growled. “Hannah? Who the hell wants to talk about Hannah? That girl is a fucking mess.” He leaned far away from Camden in case Hannah’s brother decided to give him a right hook. “Who I want to talk about is Sydney, your goddamn nanny.” “I second this,” Jenner said, raising his glass. “Fuck yeah, I third this,” Dominick said. “Sorry, buddy,” Brett said, clinking his tumbler against all the others’. “I’m with them.” “Same,” Camden said. “Jesus.” I ran my hand through my hair, keeping my fingers locked on my head to dull the throbbing in my skull.

“Except you know I can’t,” I replied to Dominick. “Do you have any idea how hard it is to find someone you can trust to take care of your kid?” “Can’t be that hard,” Declan said. “You had Hannah watch her, and I wouldn’t trust her babysitting my fucking fish.” “Watch it,” Camden warned. “This guy,” I said, pointing at Declan, shaking my head.

I made sure her eyes didn’t move from mine, and I said, “Do you want to be with me?” She filled her lungs. “Yes.” “Then, you’re going to have to trust me.” “Ford—”

“Do you remember when Eve was sick and I wanted to come home from Vegas? But you wouldn’t let me. You wanted me to trust you. And I did. I put all my faith in you.” I rubbed my thumb across her lips. “That’s what you’re going to have to do now, Sydney. Trust me. Believe me when I say, I’m not going to hurt you again.”

And then, suddenly, “Why now? Why, after all these weeks since we’ve been in this kitchen together, do you want things to change between us? Why is now … different?”

I lifted her onto the counter, and the moment she was settled, my hands went to her thighs, and our eyes locked. “You’re looking to hear about the moment when it all hit me. This defining second when I snapped my fingers and thought, Sydney is the woman I want to be with.”

I rubbed my hands over her legs, searching for the right words. “That didn’t happen. Because, honestly, I’ve always known you were right for me. I felt that in the bar the night I met you, when I couldn’t stay the hell away from you. I knew it again the next morning when I saw you with Everly. And again when we went to dinner and I couldn’t take my eyes off you. Each day that followed, especially when you became Everly’s nanny, those feelings built.” I glanced down at the disappointment that hit my chest. “Did I fuck up? Yes. Did it take me too long to confess this to you? Yes.” I fixed my eyes to hers again. “Will I make more mistakes in the future? I can promise you, yes.” I reached for her cheek, holding it, caressing it. “But when I was out at the bar tonight and the guys were giving me a boatload of shit for not being with you, they were putting the fear of God into me that I’d waited too long, and I knew they were right. You were going to find someone else, and that would be my fault. I pushed you away, and I’d deserve that. But”—I held her so steady, getting lost in those icy-blue eyes—“I’m not going to let that happen. You are going to be mine.” I leaned across the space and kissed her forehead. “I made you choose, and you picked right. I never should have given you that ultimatum. I’m

sorry. I’m so fucking sorry, Sydney. But you don’t have to choose now. You can have both of us...

“Ford …” Her head dropped, her chest rising and falling so fast.