“Yes?”
She hesitated. “Thank you.”
He had a feeling that wasn’t what she’d been about to say, but he let it go. “Drive safe.”
They disconnected as he took the exit ramp off the highway. Seven minutes later, he was pulling into his garage.
The house was silent when he made his way inside. Bradley’s car was parked in the garage, so he knew at least he was there somewhere.
After a quick search of the downstairs, Daniel went to the French doors at the back of the house and glanced outside. His son was sitting at one of the patio tables, his laptop open in front of him, but he kept looking up.
Daniel followed his line of sight and wasn’t surprised to see Zelda lounging poolside. What he hadn’t expected to see was her wearing one of the skimpiest bikinis he’d ever seen. The woman had a body, he’d give her that, but he felt no attraction. And by the look on his son’s face, Bradley didn’t either.
Opening the door, he stepped outside. Bradley’s head turned, a look of surprise on his face.
“Decided to work by the pool today?” Daniel asked.
At the sound of his voice, Zelda turned her head. She smiled and sat up, her breasts nearly falling out of her top with the movement. “Get done with work early today?”
“I did.” That was a lie. He’d brought his work home with him, but she didn’t need to know that.
Bradley answered Daniel’s original question. “Zelda wanted some sun, so I decided to join her while I worked.”
“He’s such a spoilsport. I tried to get him to put down that thing and enjoy life a little, but he insisted he had to work.” She pouted and while he knew she meant it to look cute, it didn’t work.
Speaking of work... “Ali said you move around a lot. Were you planning to stay in the St. Louis area for a while?” Daniel asked.
She didn’t seem bothered by the subject change. “I haven’t decided yet. I never know how long Ali will need me.”
Daniel schooled his features. Zelda wasn’t the first gold digger he’d encountered. Now that she knew he had money, she was going to milk it for everything she could, even if it meant using her daughter to do it. “I wasn’t aware you and Ali were all that close.”
Zelda waved her hand in dismissal. “She’s over dramatic sometimes. We talk all the time. We’re like sisters.”
It was hard not to react to that one. Sisters his ass. “Even still, I’m sure you’ll be needing your own place and a job soon enough if you’re planning to stay in St. Louis. Bradley here can help you with the job search and maybe you can take over Ali’s lease. It’s a nice apartment, despite the noisy neighbors.”
He saw her mind working, but before she could formulate a comeback, he heard Ali’s car come up the drive. “Excuse me.”
Bradley opened his mouth to say something, but promptly shut it. His son wasn’t stupid. Anything he wanted to say, he wasn’t going to say in front of Zelda.
Ali was climbing out of her car when Daniel walked out. He came to her side and pulled her into his arms. He knew how hard it had been for her to quit. “I’m proud of you.”
She chuckled. “Is it wrong I feel relief and anxiety at the same time?”
“Not at all.”
He had many of the same mixed emotions. Not about her or her quitting her job, but about their future. She’d said earlier she wanted her well-being to always be his responsibility. Was he reading too much into that? Looking into her eyes now, he didn’t think so. He knew the connection they had despite their age difference.
Cupping her face in both hands, he pressed his lips to hers. “I—”
The door that led to the house opened. Not releasing her, he turned his head to see who it was. Bradley. “Get out.”
His son blinked but backed away and closed the door behind him.
Daniel returned his attention to Ali. “Now, where was I?”
She leaned into his hand. “You were kissing me.”
The feel of her mouth moving against his brought home what he’d been about to say before their interruption. Not moving his lips far from hers, he met her gaze. “I love you.”