Page 19 of The Right Woman

“Sorry. I think twice with you was enough for me.” Smacking his broad chest, I squeeze out from his formidable arms, push my cart two steps away, and whisper, “Thanks for playing.”

I walk softly down the aisle, feeling him seethe at my backside. Predictably, a firm grip on my bicep spins me around to face him before I get too far. “I’m your daddy and youwillbehave.”

A satisfied smile creeps over my lips. Oh, he’s so mad. A little vein pops in his temple and throbs with his pulse. I raise a finger and stroke along his cheek and sigh. “I don’t think I will, daddy. Now, if you don’t leave, I’ll call the cops and have you all over the news. I don’t think it would look good for Griffin Motors if I told them how the owner of such a prominent city business has been stalking me.”

Immediately, he drops his hand and steps away, his brow dipping until his eyes look murderous. Without another word, he leaves.

I roll my eyes. He can’t even handle a little threat.

Is he the best dick I’ve ever had? Most assuredly. But that just means more trouble. A man like that, one who’s so much older, is simply looking to control a young girl. He probably wants a nanny for his kids or a chef to cook him dinner at night. A cleaner for his house…

I would wreck his quiet life. He’s not ready forme.

These types of guys always hang around me for that reason. They think they want a taste of danger and excitement. But really, they want totameme. It’s not going to happen. And I’ll show him that.

No more Daddy Don dick, Piper. I mean it.You must stop him before you get addicted.

After cleaning myself up in the bathroom, I ignore Shanna’s nasty stare and slide behind the counter. Her whisper sounds like a lecture. “I’m taking off. You’re here tomorrow by yourself, remember?”

If she noticed the nasty thing I just did in the stacks, she’s pretending she didn’t. Relief floods my system as I flop into the squeaky wheeled chair and pick up my latest read,Milking The Meter Maid. “I’ll be fine, Shanna. I know you’re so worried about me, but I think I can manage.”

She scoffs and slings her quilted tote bag over her shoulder while tucking her cardigan tighter around her middle. If the glass door with hydraulics could slam, she’d probably do it on her way out. As she leaves, a young girl with long brown hair enters with another girl with a black bob of box braids.

My heart beats faster as I recognize Avery, Adon’s daughter, from our brief meeting at Griffin Motors. We chatted about books. Of course, this was before I knew who her father was.

As she walks by, her eyes widen when she spots me. She whispers something to her friend, who ventures off toward the computers. Avery saunters to me like she’s shy to approach but wants to.

“Avery, right?” I ask.

Her coloring and features look like Adon, but her eyes are bright green. Must be from her mother. “Yeah, you’re Piper. Essa’s friend?”

Nodding, I give her a smile. “What can I do for you? Come for those vampire book recommendations?”

She relaxes her shoulders and snorts. “Yeah. My mom will be here to pick us up in about an hour. Told me to do my homework, but I want a new book.”

Oddly, at the mention of her mother, my stomach tightens. Looking at this girl, who I’m closer to in age than her dad,who I just fucked, makes me feel weird. Adon seemssomuch older than me. He wasmarriedand hadchildrenwith someone. That means he’s been in love and probably had some nasty divorce where they fought all the time, knowing him.

Anxiety makes sweat form on my forehead. “Oh. Sure. Your mom will behere?” What will I do if I see her? What if she’s gorgeous? Or a total bitch? Why do I care? I’m not interested in Adon. I can’t be. We don’t mesh. And the guy just ran away after one itsy-bitsy no.

Avery shrugs one shoulder and nods. She seems shy. But I love introverts. It’s my mission to make sure everyone feels comfortable. So, I stand up and skirt around the counter and point toward the young adult section. “Come on, I’ll show you the good ones.”

Somehow, an hour flies by with Avery and her friend sitting on the floor on either side of me as we whisper about the book series I handed them. Around us lay several other books, but they found the one they wanted to read.

Footsteps approach, and I glance up, almost wishing I hadn’t. A beautiful woman with olive skin, dark hair, and bright green eyes smiles broadly, flashing perfect teeth. God, her bodyis incredible, too, with full tits and thick hips. Just fucking kill me.

Scrambling to our feet, I gather the books they wanted to take and smile at Avery’s mom. “Uh, hi. I’m Piper, the library assistant. She just wanted some reading recommendations.”

Her dark eyebrows stitch together, but there’s still a mocking grin on her face. “Well, she was supposed to do homework. But I’ll allow it.” She holds her hand out for her daughter, who takes it and gets off the floor. “Let’s check out and get you girls home for dinner.”

She probably makes real food at home. Something like mashed potatoes from scratch with milk squeezed from a cow in her backyard. Grows her own wheat for cereal and harvests her own vegetables from a garden. She could own a farm with the fancy rain boots that cover her feet. And not a dirty one that smells like manure, where kids pet sad donkeys. No. The kind on social media that has a cloudy filter over everything to make it appear wistful and romantic.

When I scan the books, slowly and carefully, I refrain from staring at her. She’s perfect. Her nails are short and strong, painted in a neutral beige. My chipped yellow polish is so childish in comparison.

An urge to destroy her takes over inside me. Maybe I’ll fill her fancy leather purse with dirty tissues. Or have Avery tell her dad that her mom had been cheating on him their whole marriage…

Instead, I smile and sigh. “Thanks for stopping by.” The crew waves as they leave, and I slump back in my uncomfortable chair.

This isexactlywhy I need to stay away from Adon Griffin. He’ssomeone’sdaddy. Just not mine.

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