Daddy’s Little Assistant by Lila Fox
Chapter Nine
“Hey, cuz. You ready to head home?”
Kinley’s gaze snapped to Vic and then Eli. A pressure she didn’t understand made her hands shake. In a short amount of time, she’d already come to depend on Eli for her security, and that terrified her.
What if she gave him her heart and he pushed her away?
Her eyes widened. “Oh, no. We forgot to go through the condo.”
Eli nodded. “I thought of that, but it can hold off until tomorrow.”
“But that means you have to stay in the hotel again.”
She saw the interest in her cousin’s face.
Eli cupped her chin. “I’ve spent a lot of time in hotels. It doesn’t hurt me. Tomorrow is just fine to inventory the condo.”
“Oh, okay.” She decided he wanted to be away from her, and she couldn’t blame him. He’d been stuck with her all day.
His eyes narrowed on her when she stepped back.
“I’ll see you tomorrow.” She grabbed her bag and started to leave, but she didn’t make it to the door before an arm came around her waist.
“Vic, wait by the elevators. I need a minute with her.”
“You got it.”
Kinley started shaking. She’d made him mad, and she didn’t know why.
He pulled her around to face him. “Do you want to tell me what you were thinking about just now?”
“I … I’m sorry if I made you mad.”
He cupped one side of her face. “I can promise you that you didn’t make me mad. I don’t think you could if you tried. I just want to know what put that sad look in your eye.”
“It’s silly. I think I’m just tired. I need to go home.”
He shook his head. “You’re not leaving until you tell me, and be forewarned, I’ll be able to tell if you’re lying to me.”
“I … I thought you might be sick of me.”
He pulled her into his arms. “Baby, at no time have I been tired of having you with me. I want you with me, but I thought it might be too soon to spend the night together. I’d have you attached to my hip if I could. Hell, I’d take you in the bathroom with me if it weren’t so weird.”
The pressure on her chest loosened as she laughed and scrunched up her nose. “Yeah, that might be a little weird.”
“How about we plan on going through the condo in the afternoon tomorrow, and then after, I’ll take you to dinner?”
“I’d like that.”
“Good. Now I’m going to kiss you. You okay with that?”
Heat seared through her veins as he lowered his head. The first touch of his lips made her gasp. His lips were hard and soft, and she never wanted him to stop. Her legs gave out when his tongue pushed into her mouth and mated with hers.
He held her in his arms and kissed her until they were both breathless. She stared up at him when he stopped and almost begged him to kiss her again and never stop.
“I can see you liked my kiss, but this has the potential to get out of hand very easily.”
“Yes,” she whispered.
He grinned and held her up until she got the strength back into her legs. He steadied her with a hand on her shoulders until she was able to step away.
“So, I’ll see you tomorrow, baby?”
“Y…” She cleared her throat. “Yes.”
“Good. Have sweet dreams.”
She turned at the door for one more look. “You, too.”
Vic laughed at his first look at her. She had to know she was probably flushed, and her lips were swollen.
“Hush,” she told him when she came to stand beside him at the elevator.
Vic snorted. “I wasn’t going to say anything.”
They made it home to Vic’s apartment. Right away, he went into his room, and she went to shower. She made them a quick dinner and took him a plate.
“Here you go, Vic.”
“Thanks, cuz.”
“So, what’s going on with Danny?” She loved to see the blush that covered his face. Danny was the only woman in the egghead room, and she knew Vic had taken to her right away.
“She’s good.”
“Did I hear a rumor that you’ve been eating lunch together every day?”
“Yes.”
She giggled. “You like her a lot?”
“Yes.”
She rolled her eyes. “Have you guys talked about dating?”
“We’re already a couple.”
“Oh, my God, and you never told me?”
He shrugged. “Yeah, it feels weird to talk about. I’ve never had a girlfriend, but with her, everything’s natural.”
“Have you talked about moving in together?”
She saw the shock on his face and knew they had talked about it. “I’m standing in the way of that, aren’t I?”
“No.”
She could tell he was lying. “I know I put you out when you let me move in.”
“Hey, don’t talk like that. We’re family.”
“Yes, but you had one of the bedrooms for an office. I’m in the one you used for that.”
“Yeah, so?”
“If you guys moved into together, there’d be no space if I were living here. I think I’m ready to look for an apartment of my own. You’ve helped me out so much, but now that my job is secure, I can find my own place.”
His eyes widened. “Seriously?”
“Yes.”
He shook his head. “I think you should wait.”
“Why?”
“I just have a feeling.”
“About what?”
“Think about waiting, or discuss it with Eli.”
Her brows snapped together. “Why would I do that? I’ve taken up enough of his time.”
“Oh, I can tell you he doesn’t feel that way.”
She crossed her arms. “Why?”
He snorted. “Ask him.”
“What do I ask him, Vic?”
“Maybe mention the fact you’re looking for an apartment of your own.”
“I don’t want to bother him.”
Vic chuckled. “I think you’re wrong, but do what you think is best.”
She eyed him suspiciously. He was giving in way too easily, and it made her nervous.
“I will. Now, eat your dinner before it gets cold.”
