Page 68 of Defending her Heart

“What’s the matter with it? Kendall Cakes likes it.”

She doesn’t even try to control her laughter. Her green eyes shimmer with amusement, and I can only hope it’s not because she feels nothing for me, but because she’s enjoying seeing me uncomfortable.

Twice, I’ve made the mistake of accusing her of having something with Miles. Showing my jealousy now will only piss her off and call attention to our relationship. She may not want to toss a label on it, but I do. We agreed to not sleep around and are in a monogamous sexual relationship. Albeit a secret one. One that consists solely of sex and nothing else.

But our post coital time has increased every night we’ve been together. On Wednesday, she even let me feed her a midnight snack. Granted, we spent two glorious hours naked and worked up quite the appetite.

She was physically exhausted, and I worried about her driving home so late at night. A grilled cheese sandwich and cup of tea delayed her departure long enough for us to get to know each other on another level.

She told me a little about her mom and sister, even about her and Riley’s attempt to set their parents up. I gave her a little snippet into my family’s life and told her about my sister, Anna, and my niece and nephew, Libby and Joey.

It’s more than I’ve shared with the guys. They know about my parents, not that they’ve met them, and they’re aware I have a daughter, but until tonight, they couldn’t pick her out in a lineup.

Kendall is the only one I’ve trusted enough to open myself to, and I still have secrets, although they’re not my secrets to tell. Only three people know about Paisley’s mother, and my parents aren’t even in that closed circle.

“Daddy, Riley said I can have the fancy drink like the adults.”

I scoop her up in my arms and glance over my shoulder at Riley. I spot the bottle of sparkling wine on the counter and nod. “Fancy drink, huh? Next thing I know you’ll be asking for the keys to the Range Rover.”

She giggles and hugs my neck tight.

“Who’s this beauty queen?” Buck asks, dropping his arm from Kendall’s shoulder.

“Paisley, this big oaf is Miles Buckingham.”

“What’s an oaf?”

“A, uh, giant who isn’t always the brightest.”

“You are a giant, Miles Buckie.”

“And you’re adorable. Too bad your old man doesn’t share your good looks.”

“Are you my old man?” Paisley asks me.

I let out a deep sigh and glare at Buck. “I’m your father.”

“Luke. I am your father,” Buck does a poor Darth Vader impression.

Paisley giggles and asks, “Who is Luke?”

“Oh, princess Humphries, looks like I’m gonna have to take you on some movie dates and get you caught up with pop culture.”

“She’s five,” I grumble.

“I’ll be six on Tuesday. Will you come to my birthday party?”

Shit. When she wasn’t in school, I could avoid the whole party situation, keeping it simple with my parents and me. Now that she’s in school, it seems like she’s invited to a birthday party of some sort almost every weekend. I have yet to attend one, sending my parents instead. Mostly because I have to work, which is a problem I’ve never minded.

Paisley hasn’t mentioned wanting a party or asked any of her school friends to come over. Maybe my parents fielded those questions and redirected her to appreciate a small family gathering.

“Only if you promise to save me a dance. Maybe we should practice now.”

Paisley squirms out of my arms and lifts her hand to Buck, guiding him into the living room. He takes over the Bluetooth speaker and heavy rap music blares out.

“Sorry,” he hollers over it before changing to Taylor Swift. It’s sad how he can sing along to almost every song, be it hard core rap, classic rock, or pop music.

Regardless, my daughter is in Heaven being on the receiving end of Miles Buckingham’s charm. Sad to say, I’d rather have her there than Kendall.

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