Page 49 of Daddy's Laws

“I know, but you’re doing it because I asked you to, and I really do appreciate it. Ah, have you told Shannon about this yet? I’m assuming not since I haven’t gotten any profanity filled texts from her yet.”

“No. It’s… complicated.”

“What does that mean? Oh my god, did you guys sleep together? Are you together, together?”

“It means it’s complicated, and that’s all I’m saying about it.”

“And you think keeping this from her is going to make it less complicated, somehow?”

“Yes. No. Maybe.” Blowing out a deep breath, he ran his fingers through his hair. “I’ll tell her. I’m just… waiting for the right time, I guess.”

“If you wait too long, it’s going to be too late.”

“I hear you. Look, I need to get some work done, but I’ll keep you as much in the loop about MaryAnn’s case as I legally and ethically can, all right?”

“That means not at all.”

He could practically hear the pout in her voice, and it eased some of the tightness that had settled in his chest as soon as she’d asked about Shannon. “You’re too smart for your own good, brat.”

It took ten more minutes, and another half dozen promises that everything would be fine to get her off the phone. But when they finally ended the call, he found himself rereading the same sentence on his screen over and over before he finally gave up and made his way back upstairs.

He had every intention of telling Shannon about MaryAnn’s case. But her trust in him was still shaky and he wanted a few more days where all she had to focus on was him and their relationship. Once that foundation was sturdier, he would break the news to her. And he just had to hope it wouldn’t be too late.

CHAPTER17

“Rise and shine, sleepyhead.”

Groaning at the unseemly cheerfulness in his tone, Shannon rolled over and pulled the covers over her head. “Go away, you sadist.”

His laugh might as well have been nails on a chalkboard as far as she was concerned. “Of all the things I’ve done to you in the past few days, waking you up early is what makes me a sadist?”

“Yes. Be gone.”

“Is that how good girls talk to their daddies?”

Considering he’d fucked her twice more the night before, wringing multiple orgasms from her each time before finally allowing her to sleep, she wouldn’t have expected her body to respond to his growled question. But her pussy spasmed and she was instantly ready for him once again.

“It’s too early,” she whined, grabbing a pillow and holding it over her head. Too early to be awake, and certainly too early for this dangerously easy slide into wanting him. Needing him.

“Someone is cranky this morning.”

“Yes. So go away and let me sleep.”

“Would coffee help?”

Lifting the pillow, she squinted up at him. “Maybe.”

“Come sit on the deck with me and I’ll let you have a cup.”

“Let me? You’re playing with fire, Monroe.”

“I know.” Grinning down at her, he winked. “Come on, princess. Up and at ‘em.”

With a final groan of protest, she rolled out of bed and tugged on a robe. She made a quick stop in the bathroom before following him out to the deck off the master bedroom. As promised, there was a steaming cup of coffee sitting on the little table between the pair of Adirondack chairs. She settled in one of the chairs and lifted the cup to her lips, closing her eyes to savor the rich aroma before sipping.

“Better?”

“Getting there.” It took three more sips for her to pry her eyes open and turn to face him. “I hope you have a damn good explanation for getting me up at this ungodly hour.”

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