Page 80 of Her Possessive Daddies

I splash cold water on my face, willing my racing heart to slow. What is happening here? One week ago I was boring, predictable Abbie. Now I'm juggling three impossibly gorgeous older men who've turned my world upside down.

The bathroom mirror offers no answers, just my flushed, frustrated reflection staring back. My lipstick needs touching up after those shots with Lacey. As I reapply it, my hands still shake slightly.

"Get it together," I mutter to myself. "You're at work. Be professional."

The familiar motions help - straightening my shirt, adjusting my apron, running fingers through my hair. I can do this. It's just another shift. Those men probably won't even come back after everything that happened.

Taking one final deep breath, I push open the bathroom door and head back to the bar. The Friday night crowd has picked up while I was gone. Good. Staying busy will help keep my mind off-

Oh shit.

My steps falter as I spot him. Donovan. He's wearing one of those fitted dark henleys that show off his arms, a few days of stubble darkening his jaw. My body instantly remembers his touch, his fingers, his whispered words against my neck.

Our eyes meet across the room. Heat floods my entire body as his gaze pins me in place, dark and knowing. There's no way I can pretend I don't see him. No way to hide behind other customers or busy work.

"Shit," I breathe out. My feet feel rooted to the floor, but I force a smile and move toward the bar, wondering what in the world he's going to say to me. What we're going to say to each other.

"Hey, can we talk?" Donovan's voice rolls over me like honey and bourbon.

"I'm working." My hands fidget with a glass, desperate for something to focus on besides those dark eyes.

"Five minutes. Please."

That 'please' undoes me. I look at Lacey who waves me off with a knowing smirk. Traitor.

"Fine. Five minutes." I lead him to a quiet corner of the room, away from prying eyes and ears. The scent of him follows close behind, making my skin tingle.

"Corey's a mess." Donovan lounges against the wall, close enough I catch his manly scent. "He hasn't slept right since that night. Seth keeps checking his phone every five minutes like a damn stalker."

My heart squeezes. "And you?"

"Me?" His lips quirk up. "I'm kicking myself for not getting to know you better before everything went sideways. For rushing things in that hallway instead of taking my time."

Heat blooms in my core at the memory. "Donovan..."

"Listen." He steps closer, voice dropping low. "Corey talked to Chandler. Really talked. And we think - all of us think - you deserve to hear us out. To understand what we're offering."

"All of you?" My voice comes out embarrassingly breathy.

"All of us." His fingers brush my arm, feather-light. "No pressure. No expectations. Just dinner, conversation, and complete honesty."

I should say no. Should walk away from this complicated mess of desire and forbidden attraction. But Donovan's touch burns through my sleeve, and the thought of seeing all three of them again makes my heart race.

"When?"

"Tomorrow night. Seth's place." His smile is pure sin. "What do you say, beautiful?"

I blink back hot tears as I step back, putting space between us. "I don't know, Donovan. Last time didn't exactly end well."

"That was different. No surprises this time." His eyes hold mine, steady and sure. "Just us, talking things through like adults."

The bar feels stifling suddenly, memories of that disastrous dinner flooding back. "What if Chandler shows up again?"

"He won't. Promise." Donovan's voice is gruff. "We'll be at Seth's place after your shift tomorrow night. Your choice if you want to join us."

"That simple?" I twist my apron between my fingers.

"That simple." He reaches out, stilling my nervous hands. "No pressure. No expectations. Just come hear us out. Nothing will happen unless you want it to."

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