Don't Stop Daddy

t changed much,

just sterile. The lighting was still too perfect designed more for a lifestyle magazine than actual living. Orch

de Sierra pause in the doorw

as D

other loosely holding a tumbler of something amber and expensive. His expression was unreadable calm, but intense. Watching h

rra," he said, voi

grip on the suitcase handle, and

of silver at the temples, and his build had thickened more muscle than she remembered, the type earned in qui

a grudge against the world and her mother. Now she was twenty two, with a degree in psycholog

e, all teeth and glamor. She crossed the marble floor quickly, her

kiss barely grazed Sierra's cheek. She stepped back immediately, eyes scanning

see you t

e turned toward Damien, practically glowing. "Isn'

left Sierra. "Very g

not exactly. But there was weight to it. Something deeper. A knowing pa

and followed her mo

e" now, with white on white décor, a giant ring light by the vanity, and zero trace of

Vanessa said. "It's quieter than the one over the garag

ous," Sier

y, and perfect. Like ev

r four hours and older than your college diploma." Vanessa dominated the conversation, upda

e spoke only when necessary until Damien looked at her ag

landed like

oolly. "A few publishers, small house

ard industry to break into. Damie

him, lips twitchin

slightly. "I coul

t want

one brow. "Y

are. "You say that

imes i

m measured, intimate. A private language was forming in fron

locked fo

ere?" she asked with a half laugh. "You two s

as always. "Just admiring your daughter

t her plate, but she

nd scroll through Pinterest. "Come to bed soon," she called back to

Sierra gathered the dishes, his eyes fo

lp," she said, settin

was quieter now. Low

. His scent was expensive and wa

sharp behind your smile,

"Is that a

towel. Their fingers touched just

e grow

. His gaze hadn't soft

kid anymore

urmured. "

d between them slow

click of heels

amien turned toward th

like war paint. "You two still chatting? Damien, come o

l, gave Sierra one last unre

e stairs with her mother's hand

s when it

one sided. She wa

either. She should'v

as cu

the first d

the ceiling fan spinning above her like a hypnotic eye. The house

hts weren

Damien said. Every time his eyes lingered on her

d what he w

he a

her mother his hands w

at the thought. N

ng else. Som

thighs together as heat built between the

he whispered t

't s