All Chapters of THE SINGLE DAD: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

“What’s the problem?” I mocked. “Have you lost your fucking mind?” I didn’t wait for him to respond before I continued, “If anything, I’ll take her out on a date, but our second time together isn’t going to be a family gathering with my daughter.”“You’re wasting time, Ford.” He glanced at Everly and then back to me. “When I suggested inviting that girl over, it wasn’t just for your benefit, but for Eve’s too. I’m looking out for the both of you.”“And the best thing for us is Sydney?” I tested.He finished his Bloody Mary just as Craig brought us another round, and he took a bite of the celery, swallowing before he said, “What are you afraid of? Things not working out?”My hands began to shake as my memory brought me back to a day I didn’t like to revisit. “What would I tell her then? Another woman had left her life?” I took a long drink. “Do you think that’s easy for me?”“You can’t compare the two situations.”“But I can.” I took a deep breath. “And I will.”Anger pulsed through my

I wanted to laugh but couldn’t. Things were far too tight in there. “What’s that?”“Make it a night he’ll never forget.”“Jesus,” Ford said as I climbed into his car, his stare covering the whole length of me. Each inch he rose, starting at my feet, caused tingles to burst in my chest. “You look stunning, Sydney.”“You’re sweet.”The intensity in his eyes, the hungriness in his lips told me Gabby had chosen the right outfit.Even after I put on my seat belt, he stayed double-parked along the curb.Unmoving.Except for his eyes, still traveling, still taking me in like I was a feast.“Damn it,” he said, shaking his head, a slight moan coming from his throat before he leaned across the middle of the car. Rather than go for my lips, he went for my cheek. He kissed it softly, keeping his lips there, breathing me in.I didn’t mind.I was doing the same to him.Refreshing my memory with the scent of his cologne. The citrus tones I remembered from the morning after the bar, the way it had li

“You bake.”“Out of all things, that’s what you focused on?”“I have a sweet tooth.”I got the sense that he was talking about something other than chocolate.And it made me wiggle, recrossing my legs, my knee hitting his in the process. I didn’t move it away. I kept it locked against him. “Yes, I do.”The Turners had had a personal chef. Meals that she mastered for their entire family and me, but desserts were her weakness, so I’d learned how to bake to give the family something sweet after every dinner.Details Ford didn’t need to know.But details that had been such a big part of my job since the kids often helped me in the kitchen.“Here’s your wine,” the bartender said, pulling my attention away from Ford as two glasses were set in front of us.I lifted mine and held it toward Ford.“To new memories, starting with this …” He leaned forward and pressed his lips against mine.The kiss was unexpected, like a fire that had erupted out of nowhere, the flames quickly moving through my

“Ford! Oh God! Yes!”When her head tilted back this time, I kissed up her throat, hissing, “I want you to come.”That was my goal tonight.To see how many times I could get her off.To see how loud I could make her scream.To see how hard I could make her body shudder.When I left this apartment tonight, I wanted her to feel a sweet ache every time she squeezed her legs together, remembering what it felt like when I was inside her.I added a second finger, overlapping the two. The deeper I got, the more she bucked.She wasn’t just holding my face.She was gripping it. Kissing me like I was her air, her nails now like claws.“You like when I’m finger-fucking your pussy …”Every time I pulled out, her walls clenched me; her sounds made me believe she was yearning for more.But I wanted words.Her words.“More than anything,” she sighed, exposing her neck again. “You have no idea how good this feels.”But I did.Because watching her unravel made me feel even better.“I need you.”Hearing

But those words were more honest than anything I’d said so far.Ford Dalton screamed power.And remembering just how much power he’d given me on the back of Gabby’s couch and again on her wooden table was making my entire body blush.A topic I’d much rather ponder than the lies.When I finally glanced up, there was hunger in his stare.A hunger I recognized. I’d seen the same look while we were at the bar and again when we were eating dinner.“I’m shocked as hell right now.”“Me too,” I whispered.“I just assumed you worked in the education field. I realize now that I never asked.”I reached inside my bag and pulled out my résumé, setting it on his desk. “I’m not sure if you’ve already seen this.”“I haven’t.”“Then, take a look. My background is all on there, detailed. The last four years, I was employed by the Turner family as an au pair for their three children. I homeschooled them, baked for them. Raised them, if I’m being honest.”“An au pair,” he said as he looked at the sheet.