There’s no way I want to stop him.
I plunge my fingers into the thick, dark hair at the nape of his neck, and he must take that as an invitation because he goes from hot to boiling in one-point-one seconds.
His mouth is firm, and he knows his way around a girl’s lips.
He cups my cheek in his palm and deepens the kiss.
A soft moan fills the air, and it takes me a minute to realize it’s coming from me.
“You’re so damn sweet,” he whispers as he shifts the angle. His hand roams from my cheek, down my neck, and over my breast where my nipple strains against my bra. He gently brushes his fingers over the tight nub, and then that magical hand of his keeps roaming farther south.
He slips his finger under the waistband of the leggings I changed into before coming over here, and just when I think he’s going to make it to the part of me most yearning for him, we hear a tiny voice.
“Daddy?”
I’ve never moved so fast in my life. We spring apart, and Reed flies to his feet.
“What’s wrong, baby?”
“Are you cuddling with Noel?”
I cover my mouth and stifle a laugh.
“Yeah, we were just cuddling. Are you okay?”
“I need a drink of water.”
“Okay, come with me.”
Reed takes Piper to get a drink and then leads her back to bed. I put on my shoes and gather my jacket and handbag. When he returns, I see the disappointment in his eyes as he sees I’m ready to go.
“I’m sorry,” he says as his shoulders slump.
“No, you have nothing to be sorry about. I had a great evening.” I don’t hesitate to walk to him and loop my arms around his middle, pressing my ear to his chest. “Besides, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Damn right you will. We have unfinished business.”
I laugh and look up at him. “I’m finishing your house tomorrow. You and Piper should come around six for the grand reveal.”
“We’ll be there,” he says. “I wish I could walk you home. I don’t like the idea of you walking alone at this time of night.”
“I’ll be fine,” I assure him. “I’m in the building next door.”
“That close?”
“Yep.”
“And all this time, I never met you,” he murmurs as he lightly rubs the pad of his thumb across my lips.
“There are a lot of people in Seattle.” I kiss his thumb and smile when his eyes darken with lust. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Text me when you get home.”
“Yes, sir.”
He smirks and watches me as I walk down the hall to the elevator. His tall, lean form is the last thing I see as the doors close.
I let out a long breath and, now that I’m alone, fan my face. Damn, that man is potent. Sexy as hell, and so sweet with his daughter.
I’m already in deep.* * * *I want every detail to be perfect. The crews left about an hour ago, but I’ve been working my way through the house, making small adjustments and fussing here and there. I’ve never been so nervous for a client to see a finished product before.
At exactly six, the doorbell rings, and I take a moment to smooth my hands down my red skirt and check my hair in a mirror before I hurry to open the door.
“Welcome home,” I say with a bright smile. “Before you come inside, I’d like to step out and hear your thoughts on the outside.”
The sun has set, but it’s not quite dark yet. The lights are on, twinkling in every tree, shrub, and on all the rocks. Red bows and garland are draped on the porch. If it would just snow for me, it would look like something out of a Currier and Ives painting.
“It’s so pretty!” Piper says with excitement. “I like the lights.”
“I do, too,” Reed says, watching me. “Very pretty.”
“You haven’t even looked at the lights,” I murmur, but he just flashes that slow, sexy smile that makes my stomach tighten.
“Very pretty, indeed.”
“I wanna see inside,” Piper says.
“Okay, let’s do it.” I open the door for them and immediately lead them up the stairs. “Let’s begin our tour upstairs, shall we?”
More garland and ribbons weave and loop on the banister leading up the stairs. Bits and baubles in festive colors sit on the hall tables, and I took the liberty of buying winter-themed art for the walls.
“You went above and beyond,” Reed says behind me.
“We’ve barely scratched the surface. Let’s start with your dad’s room,” I say to Piper, wanting to keep the anticipation of her room building.
I open the door to Reed’s bedroom, and he lets out a long, low whistle.
The tree standing in front of the French doors is lit and twinkling in the low light. I used burgundy and greens in his room, keeping in theme with the masculine feel of the space.