Page 56 of I'll Keep Her Safe

But that’s not why we’re here. I’m here to see my friend, Wyatt’s here to get his award and see his daughter. And I don’t want to ruin either with my behavior.

So I nod, painting on a bright smile. I toss my wrap aside and dive into the pool, pretending I don’t feel Wyatt’s gaze on me as I swim. Pretending I don’t wish we hadn’t been interrupted.

21

Wyatt

“Mr. Mathers…”

Poppy’s voice drifts from the next room, and I glance up from where I’m adjusting the cuffs of my shirt. She’s taken to calling me Mr. Mathers again. Whether that’s because we’re around Bailey or because of what happened at the pool, I don’t know.

God, I can’t let myself think about what happened at the pool. I can’t let myself remember the way her skin felt under my hands, hot and smooth, the way she moaned when I let my fingers slide over her ass cheeks, the way she breathed,Yes, I need it there. I’ve never been so attracted to someone in all my life, and it’s making me behave badly. But with her in that bikini sitting by the pool, away from our real lives… it felt like we were in another world. One without consequences. That’s the only reason I can think of for my unbelievable lack of judgment. For letting myself touch her, despite knowing how wrong it is.

And the way she told me she wanted it as much as I did… hell. A better man would have gone home by now, but I can’t do that. Not after she spent her money for me to go to the awards ceremony tonight. Not when I’ve picked out the perfect dress for her.

Maybe it’s selfish, choosing to stay. Choosing to take her with me tonight anyway, even though nothing can happen between us. Bailey’s delighted that I’m taking Poppy to the awards ceremony, saying she hasn’t had a good night out like that in forever, and that’s what I’m clinging to. That I’m doing this for her. For both of them.

Poppy’s footsteps echo along the hall floor and she appears in my doorway, her pretty face scrunched in a frown. In her hands is the dress I chose for her, with Bailey’s help. It’s a floor-length teal gown, with a beaded bodice and spaghetti straps, and a puffy tulle skirt. At least, that’s how Bailey described it. I don’t know the meaning of half these words, but Bailey said it looked like something she’d seen in a photo of Poppy at her prom, which apparently didn’t go so well. And something about that made me want to get it for her, made me want to give her a chance to redo that night.

She holds up the gown, and it occurs to me that maybe she doesn’twantto redo that night. Or maybe it’s not the right size? All I had to go off was a guess from Bailey.

“I can’t accept this.” Her worried expression meets mine. “This is way too much…” she trails off as I button my waistcoat. Her gaze sweeps across me from head to toe, and her lips part ever so slightly. “You look…” Her voice is husky and she clears her throat, trying to regain her composure. “You look really good.”

Warmth pours through me at the compliment. I’ve caught her looking at me from time to time, but she’s never outright admitted she likes what she sees. Tonight, I put a little more effort in; trimming my beard slightly, styling my hair, choosing a plain white dress shirt with a charcoal waistcoat. Her eyes fasten on the rolled cuffs of my shirt, exposing the tattoos on my forearms, and she puffs out a little breath. The way her eyes drink me in makes me feel like a king.

Ah, fuck, I mentally curse. I shouldn’t be enjoying this. After what happened at the pool, I’ve sworn to myself I won’t touch her again. I won’t think of her in any way other than as my daughter’s friend.

I won’t want to kiss her more than I want air.

“Thanks.” I smile, motioning to the dress in her hands. “Do you like it?” I ask, my tone hopeful despite myself.

“Likeit?” She blinks. “It’s the most beautiful dress I’ve ever seen.”

Relief trickles through me. “Good. Go put it on.” She opens her mouth as if to protest again, and I motion to my watch. “We don’t want to be late.”

“O… Okay.” She slips out of the room, and I smile to myself, my chest hot. Seeing how much she loves the dress makes me giddy. Sure, we can’t act on whatever it is between us, but we can still have a good night. I can still make her smile.

I head to the kitchen, grabbing a beer from the fridge while I wait for Poppy to get ready. I don’t care if we’re late. I only said that so she wouldn’t argue about the dress.

Bailey and Dean enter the kitchen, talking and laughing, and Bailey pulls a bottle of beer from the fridge for her boyfriend before pouring herself a glass of wine. When she notices me, seated at the counter, her jaw drops in an expression of exaggerated shock.

“Wow, Dad. I almost didn’t recognize you.”

“Ha ha.” I cut her an amused look, and she pinches my arm.

“I guess you can’t go to an awards show in a leather jacket or dirty work clothes, can you?”

“Give him a break,” Dean says, clinking his bottle against mine. I shoot him a nod of thanks for the show of solidarity.

Bailey glances at the door, then back at me. “How is it living with Poppy?” she asks in a low voice. It’s the first moment we’ve had alone without her friend, and she examines me carefully.

I take a deep sip of beer as I consider how to answer. “It’s great,” I say vaguely, with a nonchalant shrug. Living with Poppy has made me anything but nonchalant.

“No more visits from Kurt?” Bailey asks, and I feel my face darken. I have to assume Poppy hasn’t mentioned what happened with her job, and it’s not my place to bring it up.

“No, but if I see that asshole again, I might have to kill him.”

Bailey’s eyebrows hit the ceiling, and I grimace.

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