Page 78 of Sweetest Temptation
Dale stood slowly, his gaze steady as he looked me up and down. After a long second, he reached out and firmly shook my hand. “So, you’re the man I’ve been hearing about?” he said, his voice low and even.
“Yes, sir,” I replied, matching his energy. “I appreciate you inviting me into your home.”
He nodded once, no change in expression. “We’ll see if you still appreciate it after lunch.”
I wanted to chuckle but couldn’t tell if he was joking or not.
Clarissa shot him a look. “Dale, behave.” Then she turned back to me with a reassuring smile. “Don’t mind him. He just likes to act all tough before he eats.”
“Hey, Dad.” Zanova kissed her dad on the cheek.
Her father smiled big at his daughter. “Hey, Pumpkin.”
I helped Zanova with her chair and did the same for her mother before taking the seat next to my lady. Zanova slippedher hand into mine under the table as we sat down, her thumb brushing against my palm like she was silently saying, “You got this.”
Zanova and her mom talked as they made our plates. It wasn’t long before the air loosened up, the sound of laughter and conversation filling the dining room. Clarissa asked me about my family, where I was from, and how long I’d known her daughter. Of course, I left out how wereallymet, but I still answered every question with ease.
I could still feel her father’s eyes on me the whole time as Zanova, Clarissa, and I conversed. He didn’t say much, just small comments here and there, mostly directed at his wife or daughter. I caught the way he watched, like he was measuring me. And honestly, I couldn’t blame him. If I had a daughter, I’d probably be doing the same thing. Still, I wasn’t intimidated. I’d been in tougher rooms and had dealt with harder men.
Once everyone sat down, plates full, Clarissa smiled over at her daughter. “So…” she said, glancing between the two of us, “What is it you have to tell us, sweetheart?”
Zanova set her fork down, her fingers fidgeting in her lap for a second before she looked up. “Well…” she started, glancing at me for a quick moment of reassurance. I gave her hand a small squeeze under the table. She took a breath, then looked back at her parents. “I’m pregnant…”
For a millisecond, the room went quiet, just the sound of the clock ticking and the refrigerator running in the background. Then her mother’s face lit up like the sun breaking through clouds.
“Pregnant?” she repeated, voice trembling a little. “Oh, baby!” She was up from her chair in an instant, wrapping Zanova in her arms, laughing through tears. “I can’t believe it! My baby’s having a baby!”
Zanova smiled, holding her mother tightly. “I was nervous to tell you guys, but I’m happy,” she said softly.
“Oh, sweetheart! This is wonderful!” Clarissa gushed, pulling back just enough to cup her daughter’s face. “You’re glowing already.”
I was glad to see that her mother was genuinely happy. Meanwhile, her father hadn’t moved. He sat still, fork resting beside his plate, eyes fixed on me.
Clarissa noticed and lightly smacked his arm. “Dale, aren’t you going to say something?”
He finally leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. “I will,” he said slowly, his tone calm but firm. Then his gaze cut back to me. “But first, Samir, can I speak with you for a minute?”
Zanova turned toward him. “Daddy…”
“It’s all right, love,” I said, giving her hand one last squeeze before letting go. I stood, keeping my tone even. “We can talk.”
Dale nodded toward the back door. “Outside’s fine.”
I followed him out into the backyard, where we sat on two lounge chairs. Dale pulled two cigars from his shirt pocket and handed me one. He didn’t say much at first, just lit his cigar, then reached over and lit mine. The flicker of the lighter briefly reflected in his eyes, showing an unclear emotion. He leaned back, exhaled slowly, and stared off into nothing in particular.
For a while, silence hung between us—not awkward, just heavy and intentional.
Finally, he spoke. “I remember when my wife told me she was pregnant with my princess. I was nervous as hell. I didn’t grow up with a father, so I had to learn how to be a man on my own… Make my own rules, my own mistakes.” He paused, rolling the cigar between his fingers. “But when I found out I was going to be somebody’s dad, it changed everything. I promised myself I’d never let her feel unprotected a day in her life.”He turned his head toward me, his sharp eyes cutting straight through the smoke. “And now you’re telling me thatyou’rethe man my baby girl is bringing a child into her world with?”
I nodded slowly, meeting his gaze. “Yes, sir. I am.”
He studied me for a moment, face still blank. “You love my daughter?”
“With everything in me,” I said without hesitation. “Ain’t no question about that.”
He took another pull from his cigar, then nodded slightly. “Good. Because I’ll go to war for my baby, young man. The last fool almost broke my Pumpkin. Don’t you do the same. You either treat her like a queen or deal with me, and next time, I’m killing somebody. I may be up in age, but my aim is on point.” He threatened, his words holding enough seriousness that I got the message. I respected what he was saying, but Dale didn’t pump any fear in my heart. He had nothing to worry about anyway—Zanova was mine, and I’d roll over before I intentionally hurt her.
“It won’t have to get that far. I promise,” I said, chuckling. “I got her and my baby for life.”
