Page 16 of Claimed By Daddy

“Did you seriously just tell me no?”

“Very clearly,” she sasses, leaning back in her barstool. “Cillian isn’t back until tomorrow morning. I don’t want to waste today arguing about him. Or us—whatever we are. Or figuring out how to explain to him that I’m a grown-ass woman and not a delicate little doll he needs to protect. I just want to spend today with you.”

It’s not fair, the way she says it. And it’s like she knows I won’t say no.And she’s right. I don’t want to spend todaytalking about her brother or the reality of what’s going on outside this apartment. I want to spend it withher.

I exhale, willfully giving in. “All right, princess. What do you want to do?”

She lights up, leaning forward with an excited sparkle in her eyes. “A real date,” she responds. “You. Me. And whatever we are right now.”

“And whatarewe right now, Eavan?”

“Two people pretending the rest of the world doesn’t exist.”

“I’m not letting you out of this apartment again.” I shake my head, watching the excitement in her eyes dim. “We can have a date here. If this is our last night alone, I don’t want to share you with the rest of the world.” It’s a half-truth. I don’t want to share her, but I also can’t risk repeating yesterday’s excursion.

“Whatever you say, Daddy,” she flirtatiously brats.

“Careful, princess,” I warn. “Or you might not be able to sit by our date tonight.”

The day drifts by in lazy stretches—slow, sweet, yet entirely too quickly. We spend the hours wrapped in each other. Cuddling, teasing, and kissing between bouts of laughter that make my stomach ache.

Enzo and I find ourselves on the couch, my legs thrown across his lap while his hands roam up and down my calves in long, unhurried strokes. I’ve forgotten what it feels like to be tense and nervous around him. The man who terrified me less than a week ago feels so far away from the man currently dusting his fingers over my skin.

He glances down at his watch and then back up at me as he lightly taps my calf. “You should probably get ready.”

“For?”

“Our date, princess.”

I stare back at him, surprised. “I thought you said you weren’t taking me anywhere.”

“I’m not.” That infuriating, sexy smirk tugs at the corner of his mouth.That damn smirk is becoming my kryptonite.“We’re staying in, but I still plan to give you the night you deserve. You’ve got an hour. Then I expect you in the hall outside your brother’s room, wearing a pretty dress for me.”

I lean forward, practically tackling him to plant a big, wet kiss on his lips. “Thank you,” I murmur against his mouth as I pull back. He palms the sides of my face and drags me back into him for a deep kiss that leaves my heart fluttering.

“One hour,” he reminds, helping me from his lap.

I head upstairs and hear him banging around in the kitchen.He cooks?I somehow imagined Enzo as a guy who survives off takeout—or protein shakes and intimidation.Oh God.What if he doesn’t cook?My concern about crunchy pasta smothered in ketchup is mitigated a few moments later when a rich, savory aroma wafts up the stairs. It smells so delicious that my stomach actually growls.

I dig through my meager section of clothes in Cillian’s closet. When he went and grabbed my things, he didn’t exactly fill a bag with date-night apparel—more like gym attire and a handful of casual dresses. With my limited options, I settle on the little black strapless dress I came here in. It’s simple, yethugs all the right places while still leaving a little to the imagination.

With my hair curled into loose waves and my makeup light but sharp, I slide the dress on and smooth it over my hips. My fingers tremble with a little anticipation as I pull on my strappy heels—nerves, maybe?Ridiculous, Eavan… he’s already seen you naked. I pause before the full-length mirror to take in my appearance, wanting to look exceptionally good for him tonight.

I step into the hall, and the scent that greets me is decadent—creamy and earthy. Enzo is resting against the wall, waiting for me. His tailored navy suit fits him like a sin—the burgundy, jacquard, silk tie barely loosened at the neck. My feet root in place like I’ve suddenly forgotten how to walk. Quickly pushing upright, his eyes rake over my body. He crosses the short distance between us and takes my hand, squeezing it gently. “You look fucking incredible,” he whispers, drawing me close enough to place a chaste kiss against my cheek.

“You clean up well yourself.” I struggle to get the words out through the sudden tightness in my chest.

“Not like a Tony Soprano starter kit?” he teases, leading me down the hall toward his room.

“Did I seriously just get all dressed up to go to your room?” I snark.

He glares down at me, opening his bedroom door and warns, “There’s still time to ensure you can’t sit comfortably for our date tonight.” He leads me past his bed and toward the open door to the balcony. My eyes are drawn to a soft glow on theother side of the threshold, and I audibly gasp at the sight. The Manhattan skyline stretches beyond the balcony, hazy and golden in the distance as the last of the sun sets over the horizon.Lounge chair cushions line the stone floor, covered with soft throws and surrounded by flickering candles. Dozens of them.He was apparently quite busy when I thought he was playing on his phone today.

Sitting in the middle of the pillows and candles—dinner. Enzo guides me toward the little area he’s set up for tonight and helps me to a pillow. Taking the cushion across from me, he pours the wine and urges me to try the food before me. Savory and perfectly cooked mushroom risotto.

I shovel in a second—and third—forkful, moaning with each delectable bite. He licks his lips, watching me enjoy the meal he made, and the look on his face borders on indecent. “This is delicious,” I finally praise between bites, chasing a mushroom across my plate with the tines of my fork. “I didn’t know you could cook.”

“There’s a lot you don’t know about me, princess,” he responds, flirtatiously with a hint of smugness. His tone softens and he shares, “My mom taught me before she died.”

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