Chapter 11
Manny
“Are you as wet as I’m hard, baby?” I murmur against Daisy’s neck.
Once we left the Bianchis’ place, all I could think about was getting her naked and exploring every inch of her body. I’ll never have enough of this woman. My woman.
We barely made it inside the house before we’re tearing at each other’s clothes. On the couch, I strip her down until she’s left in nothing but her bra and silky panties. Daisy is a sight for sore eyes.
“Yeah, Manny. I don’t think I’ve ever been this wet in my life,” she says, timidly pulling me down to her.
“Cono, Daisy. I might sound like a macho man, but when you say things like that, I feel like the most powerful man in the world.”
I close the distance between us, laying a trail of kisses along her collarbone toward her shoulder. I hook my teeth under her bra strap.
“I’m so grateful for you, Manny,” she pants.
If I felt powerful before, I feel invincible now.
“Grateful? Do you like it when I do this?” I ask, drawing one perky nipple into my mouth. Her moan should be all the answer I need, but I’m insatiable when it comes to hearing her say how I make her feel.
She bucks beneath me, seeking friction. I pull back, releasing her nipple with a wet pop.
“Tell me.” I hold her gaze, waiting for the words I want.
“Yes, Manny. I love how good you make me feel.”
My grin turns wicked as I descend on her again. This time, I’m not stopping until she screams my name so loud the neighbors wake. I want the whole town to know Daisy Hart is mine—and soon she’ll share not only my home but my last name.
A sharp vibration sounds somewhere in the house. Half-asleep, I roll over to pull Daisy close, but her spot is empty.
Reluctantly, I get up, use the restroom, then pad into the family room.
“Manny—it’s Tommy!” Daisy all but shouts.
I’m instantly awake.
When I look down, I realize I’m buck naked. Daisy’s wrapped in a throw blanket that does a lousy job covering my favorite parts of her body.
“Shit. Let’s go to the bedroom,” I mutter, sprinting back. Daisy’s hot on my heels.
“Papi!” Tommy chirps the second he pops up on the screen. I’m so out of it, I didn’t even realize it was a video call.
One look at myself on camera sends me into full panic mode. My hair’s a tangled mess—thanks to Daisy tugging on it every time I made her come last night.
“Hey, bud. How are you?” I flash my best smile, but he knows something’s off. I’m never in bed after seven, and I’m definitely never shirtless on a call.
“Is everything okay? You seem weird,” my very smart kid says, making my cheeks burn with embarrassment.
“Yes, of course everything is okay. I just decided to sleep in today. I usually never have the chance to.” The words tumble out so fast I’m surprised I don’t give myself whiplash.
“Okay…” Tommy says, clearly not buying it.
“Can I call you in, say, half an hour? I’ll get changed, and you can tell me how yesterday went with your mom and what plans you have for the rest of the weekend.” I’m practically begging him with my eyes to hang up.
Whatever face I make must be hilarious because Daisy giggles, and I turn my gaze to her.
“Aren’t you alone, Papi?”
Shit.
Shit. Fuck. Shit.
Daisy bites her lip, mouthing sorry.
I blow out a breath. I need to tell my son before this situation gets out of hand.
“No, bud. I’m not.” Shame prickles in my chest. I’ve been acting like a teenager, letting hormones fog my judgment when, above all else, I’m a dad. My son deserves respect and stability.
“Is it Daisy?” The hope in Tommy’s voice makes me lift my gaze.
“Why do you think it’s her?” I ask, wary but intrigued.
“Because I see the way you look at her when you think I’m not looking.” A cheeky smile spreads across his face, and relief unfurls in my chest.
“Yeah? And how do I look at her?” The vision of becoming a family with her blooms inside me.
Daisy slides her hand into mine, her warmth sinking straight into my heart, making it beat harder, faster. Happier.
“The same way Coach Xander looks at Ms. Rain.”
I don’t have time to react before Daisy launches herself at my chest. I wrap her close, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.
“Daisy!” Tommy squeals.
I burst out in a full belly laugh. Thank fuck he likes us together.
“Does this mean Daisy’s moving in with us?” His excitement practically bounces through the screen.
“I wouldn’t want anything more,” I say, making sure Daisy’s looking at me. “But it’s a decision she has to make on her own time.”
I watch her carefully, ready to catch the slightest flicker of hesitation. But my lady isn’t subtle—she gives me a blinding smile.
“It might sound rushed and reckless,” she said softly, “but I wouldn’t want to be without you. Either of you.”
I seal my lips to hers as Tommy cheers in the background.
“What’s the commotion over here?” My ex’s voice cuts in as she enters Tommy’s room.
The kiss ends too soon, but the thought of going to bed with Daisy every night for the rest of my life takes the sting out.
“Nothing, Mami. Just happy to see Daddy,” Tommy says quickly.
I hate that he feels like he has to lie to protect me. Yoly’s not my wife anymore. Our relationship was over long before we signed the divorce papers.
“Hey, Yoly. I was just sharing with Tommy that Daisy and I are officially together.”
Daisy’s eyebrows shoot up as Tommy giggles and tries to hide it between his hands.
“Oh,” she says, shock evident on her face.
“Well, good for you Manny. I only hope she’ll be good to my son.”
“She’s an amazing woman, who already spends so much time with our son. I don’t think there’s any room for concern,” I say, hugging Daisy closer to me.
“I’m looking forward to meeting you one day,” Daisy says in a confident tone. “And rest assured, I’m not here to replace anyone. But I’m looking forward to being Tommy’s bonus mom.”
The moment the word mom leaves Daisy’s lips, I tense.
Cono.
Is Yoly going to go full tiger mom on us?
“That’s good to know,” Yoly says calmly.
I’m surprised by how maturely she’s taking it, but I’m sure she wants what’s best for Tommy—and if she fights this, it’ll backfire. Tommy’s been very vocal about how much he likes Daisy.
“I’m looking forward to meeting you too,” Yoly says, then quickly turns her eyes to me. “By the way, Manny, are you okay with me sending Tommy Saturday instead of Sunday?”
My son immediately deflates, knowing his mom already made plans that don’t include him.
Not even thinking about how it’ll sound, I tell her sharply, “No need to send him. Daisy and I will go pick him up Saturday afternoon.”
Yoly’s smile is bright, and I want to lash out at her for being so oblivious. But when I see my son jumping up and down, happy to see us sooner than expected, I let it go.
“Okay, bud. Enjoy today with your mom, and we’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Yeah, Papi. I love you.”
“I love you too, champ.”
“Love you Daisy!” he blurts before the video call disconnects.
“Did he really say he loves me?” Daisy asks, a stray tear slipping down her cheek.
“Yes, baby. He did.” I give her one quick peck on the lips.
After wiping the moisture from her face, I jump from the bed. The idea that popped into my head last night doesn’t feel so crazy anymore. I need to make it happen.
“Where are you going?” Daisy calls from the bed.
“I need to ask Gio a favor. We have a plane to catch.”
Hurried footsteps follow me into the kitchen. I need coffee for the day I have planned.
“A plane? I thought we were picking Tommy up tomorrow,” she says, wrapping her arms around my middle.
“We are picking him up tomorrow. But you and I are spending today and tomorrow morning in Miami. Gio said if I ever needed anything, just to let him know. And he owns a private jet, so…” I let my words trail off.
Daisy screeches with excitement, and I can’t help but feel full—of happiness, love, and hope—for the first time in a long, long time.
Ever since I met this woman, her light has started to shine through the gloom. Bit by bit, she brought color back into my life.
Like planting seeds, she grew roots in my heart.
And now that she’s by my side, it’s harvest time—
a harvest of love,
where the best is yet to come.
THE END