“What?”
He nodded at the tacos on my plate. “Shell. Is it hard enough? I used a different recipe for it this time.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat and nodded. “It’s perfect.”
“They’re delicious, Dad!”
I stiffened hearing that voice and took a huge bite of taco to stop myself from saying anything and shifted in my chair to hide the raging boner she had caused.
Mia must have taken a shower, because her dark locks were damp. Her top was short with cute lace details and her shorts clung to her ass when she leaned over the kitchen counter to pile her plate with more tacos. I couldn’t help myself. I really couldn’t as my eyes drifted to her long, toned legs. Her calves tensing when she stretched and her ass perked up.
I exhaled through my nose and licked my lips, remembering the soft touch of her skin when I had strapped her heels to her feet. How creamy her thighs were and the hot vision of her panties with a wet spot…
I wondered if she was wearing the same underwear and if it was soaked.
“I heard your first day was uneventful, Pumpkin,” Clyde said to Mia as she walked over to the dining table and pulled out a chair.
“Day isn’t over yet.” Her eyes flickered to me. “Besides, I think the dean gave detention to Summer and Em is having boyfriend trouble.Again.”
I took another bite, relishing in the delicious taste of tangy sauce and vegetables. “The dean seems a bit harsh, doesn’t she?”
Mia shrugged. “She has never bothered me before, but I’ve heard from others that she is very strict.”
“What about the boyfriend trouble? I didn’t know she was dating,” her dad asked. I ignored the pang in my heart seeing them. At the jealousy that boiled inside me. I wish I had a father like him who would have taken an interest in my life, or at least my school, to ask me about it during dinner.
“I told you about him, Dad. They were all here last week.” She swallowed the food and said, licking her lips even though there was a bit of sauce smeared on the corner of her lips. “Emma’s family is the trouble. They don’t like him. Which is their problem. Frankly, Caleb is a great guy and treats her really well.”
Her father narrowed his eyes at her. “Do you have a crush on someone?”
Red blush creeped up her neck to her cheeks and ears as she lied shaking her head. “No.” Her eyes peered at me from her thick lashes before she glanced away, noticing my smirk. “I don’t.”
“That’s good. I don’t want to give your boyfriend a pep talk just yet. I’m too young for that.”
She rolled her eyes. “Dad, you met Mom when you were in school.”
Clyde chuckled and looked at me. “Tell her that times have changed. I don’t trust guys in her school.”
“Your father’s right.” I slid my eyes to her and smiled. “You shouldn’t date a guy your age.”
Her eyes gleamed, and she caught the undertone of my words. She took another bite so she wouldn’t have to reply.
“What about you, James?” Clyde asked me. “Are you seeing anyone? I think you mentioned Julia last time.”
“We are not dating. You know I don’t date, Clyde. I’ve had my hands full with the company and now…school.” I said the last word, looking directly at Mia, who was squirming in her seat.
The tips of her damp hair had made her top wet, and I was getting an eye full of her chest. I took a huge sip of beer and looked away.
Temptress. That’s what she was. A fucking temptress.
We exchanged gifts during a rewatch ofThe Walking Dead. I felt extremely grateful to be a part of the family dinner for over a year because of how much joy it brought me seeing Clyde and Mia banter and share gifts. It felt like home.
Especially when they laughed over the funny gifts and gave me equally silly ones.
Mia had given me a mask of Ghostface, and Clyde gave me an invitation for a birthday party. My finger rubbed over the floral, intricate design of the card. An eighteenth birthday celebration for Mia in less than two weeks.
“Dad!” she whined, hiding her face in a quilt. “I told you I didn’t want any party.”
“I want you to celebrate it, Pumpkin. With your friends and old man. You’ll be a lady soon.”