Page 49 of Dirty Discipline, Vol. 2

Traci was more worried about how Ashley was going to react when she recognized her dad's date. "I'll be fine. If I could handle the room this morning, I think I can handle Ashley."

The large open living room of the suite was elegant, yet felt lived in. Traci had expected to see just another hotel room on a bigger scale, but Sean and Ashley had made the suite into their home. Family photos and artwork peppered the open spaces of the room. Books and homework papers were scattered across a desk against the far wall. A music stand with sheet music and a flute occupied one corner of the room. A large dining room table ran parallel to the large expanse of windows that faced the west. Traci walked to the windows and peered twenty-three floors below onto busy Michigan Avenue.

"Sean, the view is breathtaking. I bet you see some awesome sunsets from this window."

He hugged her from behind and pulled her back against his chest to enjoy the view. "Yep, and we have beautiful sunrises from the bedroom windows on the other side of the apartment. I'd sort of hoped to share one of those with you tomorrow, but my daughter has put a damper on that idea."

Traci's knees went weak beneath her. She wasn't sure if it was his sexy invitation to spend the night or the nibbles he was delivering to her bare shoulder. She didn't have time to figure it out because they were interrupted by Ashley joining them.

"Wow, you've only known each other one day. Now I know why you tried to get rid of me tonight, Dad. You didn't tell me you'd met a player."

Sean cursed before apologizing in her ear. "Damn it. I'm so sorry, Traci. Maybe we should go out."

"Don't be silly, Sean. We just surprised her is all. Let me try to fix this."

Traci extricated herself from Sean's embrace and turned to greet Ashley. She knew the second Ashley recognized her. Her face flipped from a portrait of teenage angst to vulnerable fear. Traci walked quickly to her, trying to shield that face from Sean.

"Ashley, it's so good to meet you. Your dad told me so much about you last night at dinner. I was disappointed when he told me originally you weren't going to be here tonight." Traci's words were true and she hoped Ashley could see Traci's pleasure at seeing her again.

Traci knew it would surprise Sean, but she reached out to pull Ashley into a hug so she could whisper into her ear. "Smile. I didn't tell him we'd already met. Help me keep our secret, will you?" Ashley answered by hugging her back. Traci couldn't help but notice Ashley was reluctant to let go and she worried Sean was going to get suspicious.

When they pulled out of their hug, there was a grin on Ashley's face, right up until her father joined them. "Ashley, I want you to apologize to Traci. Your comment was rude."

"Sean, it's fine."

"No, Traci, it's not."

"Dad's right. It was rude. I'm really sorry I said it."

"Apology accepted."

The three of them stood still for an awkward moment. Sean looked confused by the hug. Ashley seemed confused by how Traci got there, and Traci felt like a third wheel in their home. Sean took the lead.

"I didn't get a chance to ask you what you wanted for dinner. When Ashley found out you were coming, she suggested we have one of our tapas nights which was a fabulous idea."

"Okay, I'll bite. What is tapas night?"

Ashley jumped in to answer. "We got the idea in Spain last year. We order up a bunch of small dishes from the menu and everyone gets to share taste tests. There are tapas restaurants all over in Spain where they serve small dishes like this. Of course, we didn't eat until ten o'clock at night in Spain, but since it's a school night, I doubt Dad will let me wait until ten to eat." She was grinning at her father and only now could Traci see the resemblance between them.

"Wow, you've traveled to Spain?"

"Yep. Dad loves to travel. We've always taken vacations every summer..." She took on a look of panic and glanced at Traci self-consciously.

Traci eased her fears. "It's okay. You can talk about vacations with your mom. Your dad shared with me how you lost her a couple of years ago to cancer. I'm so sorry for your loss."

Sean injected. "Did I tell you she died of cancer?"

It was Traci's turn to look panicked. "I thought you did. Maybe I just assumed it because you said she'd been ill for some time." That placated him and she was saved by the knock on the door that announced dinner had arrived.

The girls shared a knowing smile at their near miss behind his back. Ashley leaned in to whisper to Traci. "I can't believe it's you. Where did you meet him?"

"Would you believe me if I told you outside the women's bathroom?" The girls shared another giggle.

Sean was back. "Wow, you two are getting along better than I ever could have hoped."

Ashley grinned at her dad. "Dad, I told you I was cool with you dating."

"Well, thank goodness. Let's dig in while the food is hot."

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