Chapter 6 #3
I need to find more interactive events for her. I’ll talk to Mr. March about the extent of my budget. I have no clue how much tickets to this were, but the group singing is decent, and everyone seems to be having a good time.
As they finish up, Cali and I remain seated, and Rufus chooses now to wake up. His white and gray head rises from Cali’s lap and he looks around in confusion.
“Your daddy is coming back,” she says gently. “He was working.”
My teeth sink into my bottom lip as I tell myself I don’t want Lennox to be my daddy, too.
God, my libido is out of control. I need to consider looking into legal heat blockers now that I have money coming in because I can’t have it while I’m the sole caregiver for Cali while her dad is out of town.
We return on Monday to Los Angeles, and I tackle learning the rules of the road. Mr. March was very serious about his discontent that I can’t drive and wants me to get my license as soon as possible. Once I’m able to get my learner’s permit, I’ll begin lessons with a teacher.
Cali will get a back seat view to my successes and failures. Just what a guy needs. Her tongue is just as sharp as her father’s and when she found out I was learning how to drive, she offered to help me create flash cards.
She’s almost too excited about it, but if it also means she’ll find things to do to give me time to study, I’m all for it.
“There he is,” I murmur, my eyes focusing on Lennox as his heavy boots clomp down the stairs.
Fuck. He’s gorgeous and tanned from the sun, tattoos are on full display with his leather corset. I, Arlo Trumaine, am a tattoo slut.
Who would have thought?
His smirk is sexy as sin as his green eyes find us, and he carefully picks his way through the crowd of parents and their kids leaving. He easily towers over everyone, and I notice the way people give way in his wake.
“Hello, sweet boy.”
He isn’t talking to you!
Lennox leans over the first row of seats as he coos to his dog, and I cross my legs and squeeze my asscheeks tightly even as I feel slick slide out of my ass. Goddamn it.
I’m pretending it’s sweat even though there’s a nice breeze coming off the ocean. Lennox’s lips curl up as he glances at me, and I see how fucking fucked I am.
Oh no, because the odds of seeing him again are nil.
“He slept just like you said he would,” I murmur. “I think he noticed you weren’t singing anymore when he woke up.”
“He’s well used to the sound of my voice,” he chuckles. “There’s nothing else for him to listen to while we’re driving together. Thanks for hanging out with him.”
“Any time,” I say, knowing there won’t be another one.
“Maybe I’ll take you up on that.” His voice reminds me of steel and velvet, and I hate that I can’t smell him. His large hands curl around Rufus as he picks him up, and I hand back the leash he left with me.
Lennox easily pockets the leash in his back pocket and he jerks his head toward the exit.
“I’ll walk you out. You’re meeting someone, right?”
“My dad,” Cali says with a nod standing.
Taking a deep breath, I stand, hoping my erection is hidden by my jeans. I very much doubt that, because Lennox’s eyes weigh heavily on me, and I decide to own it. Holding out my hand, I wait until Cali takes it and begin walking down the row of seats to join Lennox.
“Are you living in San Clemente?” he asks softly as we walk.
“No. I go where my boss needs me.”
Pursing his lips, he inclines his head as he walks with us. Changing the subject, he peppers Cali with questions about her favorite things to do, and funny enough, they all revolve around me and Mr. March.
She misses her dad now that he’s traveling, and I’m glad he’s meeting us to go to dinner and then a walk on the beach afterward. His boss seems to be a hard ass, and is constantly blowing his phone up.
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know there’s no love lost there.
“Daddy!” Cali’s voice rises as she runs toward Mr. March, and I can’t help but smile. She adores her father, that’s for damn sure.
“That’s your boss?” Lennox asks, his voice almost a growl. There’s a Cali sized hole between us and I nod absently.
“Yep.” Mr. March catches his daughter and holds her in his arms, his eyes already searching for me. “He’s gonna lose his mind if he thinks I let her run ahead without me.”
“Yeah, yeah. I get it. Good luck.”
Walking quickly toward my boss and his daughter, I rub my chest absently. It’s as if I just stepped away from someone important, but I don’t understand why. Twisting in place as I walk backward, I frown as I see Lennox is gone.
Sighing heavily, I flinch as Mr. March’s voice curls around me.
“Who’s hungry?” he asks.
“Me!” Cali giggles.
Shaking myself of the odd emotions I’m feeling, I turn to face them both.
“I could eat,” I admit. “Are we still going to the beach?”
Mr. March’s steely gaze lands heavily on me before he nods. “That’s the plan. We have to tire Calista out somehow.”
Cali gasps dramatically, making me chuckle, and I listen as she tells her father all about how rude he is. I fucking adore this little girl.
Her dad isn’t so bad either.