Page 37 of Under One Roof

It’s too good of an image, and it takes me a lot longer than I’d like for me to push it out of my head.

I’m not sure when my fantasies went from thinking about her lips wrapped around my cock to spending family time together, but I feel like this is so much worse.

Wanting to fuck somebody is a passing fancy.

Wanting to bring someone into a family is something totally different.

And as hard as I’m trying to ignore all these bubbling feelings, I can’t.

“We’re having a party for my brother tomorrow,” I say, and she nods.

“I know. It’s on the calendar.”

“It’s a surprise party.”

“That’ll be fun.”

“I think you should come,” I blurt out.

The shock on her face melts into something that looks a lot like fondness. “You want me to come to your family’s party?”

I try to cover myself. “I think the kids would really like it if you did.”

Her coffee-brown eyes search mine, drifting back and forth, and I hope she can’t find my lie. I don’t know if she does or not, but her answering smile settles deep in my chest, warming my cold, weary heart.

“Yeah, okay. I’d love to come.”

Forcing myself to stand, I offer her a tip of my chin. “Have a good night, Andi.”

“You too, Griff.”

Then I take the stairs two at a time and head straight to my shower, the lingering scent of her stuck in my nose and the picture of her staring up at me with those plump lips curved in a sultry pout as she strips naked for me. As soon as the water is warm, I step inside and fist my hand around my erection, pretending that coming while imagining her riding my cock will solve all my problems and leave no room for wanting more.

Chapter13

Andi

I’m not sure how much of a surprise this party can be with it all out in the open like this. Griffin pulls into a spot in the lot in front of the park, lights and streamers strung all over the pavilion. Already, over two dozen or so people are here. I recognize Taryn, though my only interaction with her wasn’t the best. I wouldn’t say I get nervous to meet people, but being the new girl on the block is a bit intimidating.

I check my hair and makeup in the visor’s mirror, but the kids are impatient and run off before I even have my seat belt unbuckled. Griffin shouts directions at them as he comes around to my side, extending his hand to help me out of the truck. In a cream-colored polo shirt and jeans, he has no right to look so good. He got his hair trimmed yesterday, the sides close-cropped though the grays still shine through, and I’m moving before I think better of it, reaching up to sweep my fingers through the longer strands on the top of his head.

He stays very still, his eyes cataloguing every inch of my face, and I don’t know what else to tell him besides, “You had a hair out of place. Didn’t think you’d like that, Captain.”

He shakes his head, nudging my hand down to palm his cheek, and he leans into it for a moment before shifting away, so I lower my hand to my side. Even though we promised each other weeks ago we’d keep our relationship strictly professional—boss and employee, nanny and single dad—I can’t help it.

I don’t think he can either.

“You seem nervous,” he says, and my stomach flutters at his observation.

It’s both immensely pleasing that he can read me so well and a little frustrating that I can’t hide anything from him. “How’d you know?”

“You wear all your emotions on your face.” He presses his hand against the small of my back, guiding me through the crowd. The warmth of his touch calms me. “I’ll introduce you to everyone. They’ll love you.”

I inexplicably hope they do.

Just as I can’t explain meeting Griffin for the first time, my immediate and undeniable infatuation with the guy who rescued me from the side of the road. The man who has never made me feel anything less than safe and secure. This mature and considerate father who needed someone to look after his children. Whom I have no business falling for, but every time we’re together, it’s like swimming upstream.

It would be so much easier to let go, to give in to the current and be drawn to the ocean. I’m sure he could and would save me.

---