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Her eyes soften, and some of her agitation washes away. “I-I-I’m okay,” she whispers.

“Say it.” I need it like I need a fix. “Please, Hester.”

“D-d-daddy.”

Turning her in my arms, I capture her lips in a kiss meant to be soothing, a tentative example of what I want to do to her, but it turns into so much more. It’s devilish and possessive, revealing my obsession for a deeper taste of her as I groan into her mouth when she reaches up and brushes her fingers through my hair and pushes her body farther into me.

Slowing down is hard as hell, but I draw back, kissing along her jaw until I reach her ear. “I can’t wait to hear you call me that when my dick is balls deep inside your snug pussy. Wrapped up in me as I unload every drop of semen into you I can.” She catches her breath, and her thighs rub together, trying to soothe an ache. “I’ll take care of that tonight if you’ll let me,” I whisper just as I hear tiny footsteps coming closer.

“Hester!” Scarlett rushes over, forcing me to let my woman go. “I can’t believe you’re here! We made you dinner. Well, Abuela did, and Nate watched. I handed her things and set the table.” Her little grin is all teeth and filled with pride.

Hester drops to her knees to meet Scar’s eyes. “Sounds wonderful.” I don’t know what it is about kids, but they give her a confidence I haven’t mastered yet. I might have to take some tips from my four-year-old on how to win this woman over.

Scarlett grips Hester’s hands in both of hers, drags her into the kitchen, and leaves me alone in the foyer. “Guess that’s that then.” Amusement surrounds me as I follow behind.

At Ma’s insistence, Hester dives right in, and she tells her how she came about the recipe and the tweaks she’s made over the years as the kids have grown and developed their own tastes. One thing we can all agree on is the spicier, the better. Which pleases my mother to no end because if you can’t handle spice, you’re in the wrong house. Should have been my first hint with my ex. Her appetite is as bland as her personality.

Sitting next to Nate, he pushes a bowl of peanuts towards me and watches the women work. Scarlett sits on the counter between them, handing them ingredients as they ask for them. Hester’s stutter is barely legible, and I firmly believe it has to do with Scarlett. My daughter's easy acceptance and love for the caring librarian is as pure as a first snowfall.

By the time dinner is finished, Hester’s visibly exhausted, struggling to keep her eyes open long enough to finish listening to some story Scarlett rattles on about. Giving my mother a sharp nod when she places a hand on my shoulder, the woman steps in and corrals the kids into the movie room for snacks and fun before bed.

Scooping Hester up in my arms, I don’t hesitate to take her upstairs to my room, ignoring her pathetic protest. “You need sleep and a lot of it,” I say as I push the door closed and place her in the middle of my bed.

“I c-c-can do tha-t-t-t.”

Shooting her a stern look to lie back down, I continue taking off her shoes and leggings before she gets a chance to object. All the milky flesh I’ve just revealed makes my mouth water for a taste, but I hold back, barely, because I need her trust more than her body at the moment.

I’ve got a good sense of the woman now, and as I grab one of my shirts from the dresser, I also snag a thick pair of socks. After slipping the warm cotton onto her feet, I help her sit up and hand her the shirt, turning my back to give her a little bit of privacy to remove her sweater and bra.

She tugs on my hand once she’s done. I take her clothes and put them in the basket, then flick on the television, strip down to my boxers, and climb into bed with her, turning on some action movie before getting comfortable.

Hester is stiff next to me, likely because this is her first time being this close to a man, so I slide her closer. Wrapping an arm around her back, I nearly haul her up onto my body but settle for her bare leg across my hips. It’s impossible to miss the raging erection prodding at her thigh.

“Sleep, pretty girl, Daddy’s not going anywhere.” That seems to soothe her some as she finally relaxes in my arms and falls asleep soon after.

Much as I wanted to get my mouth between her thighs tonight, I know it’ll have to wait a little longer. Gaining her trust matters more than anything else right now.

CHAPTER 8

Hester

Waking up from the best sleep of my life, I stretch until I feel resistance in my movements. My eyes pop open to find Cato staring down at me, his eyes hooded and filled with desire, a muscle ticking in his jaw, and as more of my body wakes up, I feel other things too. Like his hand under my shirt, thumb brushing across a puckered nipple, his erection digging into my hip. Our legs tangled together in the sheets.

Embarrassment creeps up my flesh, and I can’t hide my shaking. For once, not out of fear of a man but from excitement.

“Good morning, pretty girl.” He leans down, brushes his lips on the corner of mine, then slips farther down to my throat and collarbone.

I don’t know what to do or how to ask for more, so I remain stone still. Closing my eyes, I take in his tentative movements as he leaves a path of wet exploration across my skin. A moan works up my throat when he pinches my nipple between two fingers, rolling the stiff bud back and forth until my back bows for more.

As he pushes my shirt up, his sexy chuckle causes a warm gush of liquid between my legs while he moves downward. “Perfection,” he whispers before sucking a taut peak into his mouth and sucking deeply.

“Daddy!” I gasp from the shock. I don’t know this woman brave enough to call him such a name, but nothing has ever felt more right.

“Most beautiful sound my ears have ever heard.” His voice is lustfully rich as he begins kissing his way down my body.

Nipping my navel, I feel his hands grip the sides of my panties. His intention is clear, but a loud knock on the door interrupts him.

“Daddy, open up!” Scarlett’s excited voice makes me smile.