Page 16 of Forbidden Fruit (Sweet Treats 7)

His lips pull up at the corners slightly.

“Okay,” he says. “I won’t. It’s no problem, Kristy.”

“Good, I’m glad,” I say, my heart pounding. “I don’t think I could handle it if you did.”

He nods again, his blue eyes searching mine.

“It’s okay, sweetheart. Most women wouldn’t be able to, and to tell you the truth, I don’t want to see other women. Not after being with you, sweetheart.”

My cheeks flush, and my eyes glimmer a bit.

“Really?” I ask in a low voice. “You think we have potential?”

With that, Owen comes out of his seat and pulls me into his embrace. I take a long shuddering breath and lean against his wide chest as those strong arms circle me. I feel safe here, and my heart rate calms a bit.

“I do think we have potential,” he growls, his breath stirring the air by my ear. “You are so special, sweet, and curvy, Kristy. You’re everything I’ve been looking for, and I want to see where this goes. Sure, the way we met was a little unorthodox, but I’m okay with that. Life often turns out different from what you expect,” he says with a half-smile. “Go with the flow, right?”

I pull back to look into those piercing blue eyes.

“Life is strange, isn’t it?” I say softly. “I came to prom thinking I’d lose my innocence, and I did! To you.”

“And it was so sweet,” he says, leaning close. “I will treasure your gift forever,” he murmurs before seizing my lips in a heart-wrenching kiss. I kiss him back and my pulse races. I feel dizzy but also totally sane at the same time. But then I pull back.

“Should I join Dads and Daughters as well?” I ask, confused. “If my dad is a member, does that mean I can join as well?”

Owen’s brow darkens for a moment, but then he nods.

“I wouldn’t mind if you joined, sweetheart. The group has a clubhouse in the woods that’s a lot of fun, and I would love to bring you there to show you off a bit. Of course, I don’t want you seeing other men,” he says with a wink. “But ask your dad if he’s open to the idea.”

I smile again, stroking his cheek.

“I will, Owen. I think this could be the start of something wonderful.”

After all, this handsome man swept into my life, and changed everything. What comes next, I’m not sure. But for now, I want to confront my dad about this new revelation because since when has James been a member of Dads and Daughters? And how do I become a member too? Am I ready for this change in my life? After all, the group sounds dirty, but maybe it’s the right fit for me.

7

Kristy

“Hey Daddy,” I say, coming downstairs to join James in the kitchen. “That smells really good.”

My dad is standing at the stove making pancakes. He’s a pro, and we both watch as the puffy yellow disks turn golden brown. Then, he expertly flips them onto a plate and brings the stack over to the table.

“Here, sweetheart,” he says, putting the steaming plate down. “Help yourself.”

“Yum,” I say, seating myself while shooting him a smile. “How are you this morning?”

My dad sits in the chair across from me, and his expression is tense. But he doesn’t answer straightaway.

“How was Prom last night?” he asks slowly. “Did you have fun Kris?”

“I did!” I say merrily. “It was great. The music was amazing, and I got back just after two a.m.”

My dad looks up.

“You didn’t stay the night?” he asks, slightly confused.

“Nope,” I answer, biting into a huge forkful of pancake. “I decided to come home.”

James gets a relieved expression on his face.

“But you told me there was an after party in a hotel room. Specifically, that you and Ryder were renting a hotel room together and …” he says, his voice trailing off.

I nod.

“Yeah, but Ryder and I broke up,” I say carelessly. “I caught him sleeping with Kaylee.”

My dad is absolutely stunned because he knows that Kaylee and I have been friends since forever.

“I’m sorry?” he asks in a choked voice. “You said that Ryder cheated on you? With Kaylee?”

I nod, popping another bite of pancake into my mouth.

“Yep, but it doesn’t matter,” I say nonchalantly. “I met someone else. You might know him, actually. His name is Owen Merchant.”

My dad shakes his head, but then the movement stops and he stares at me.

“Owen Merchant from Summerdale?”

“Yep!” I reply cheerfully. “He has a daughter named June. He’s really nice and we got to know each other last night. Very well, in fact.”

My dad slowly puts down his fork and stares at me.

“Kristy,” he says in a level voice. “I think you better start from the beginning. What happened last night? What is this all about? I don’t get it. There’s cheating, but you don’t seem angry, and then you’re bringing up the name of one of my buddies. What gives?”

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