“Woof. Woof. Woof.”
“Luna, I know you’re excited. Give our guest some room.”
“Come here, Luna,” Naomi calls, slapping her thighs.
Finally, our excited Staffie concedes.
What a production?
“Let me help,” I say, reaching out to lighten Everly’s load.
“Thank you,” she says.
“It’s a little backward, but hello and welcome to my home.”
“Hello to you and thanks for having me over,” she smiles.
“I see you come bearing gifts,” my eyes lower to the boxes I’m holding.
“Remember, I said my great-great-grandmother was Italian and Mom is from Jersey. This is how we roll.”
“Duly noted and thank you,” I say. “Naomi, you remember Everly?”
“Yes,” she nods. “Hi, Everly,” she says shyly.
“Hi, Naomi.” Everly squats so she’s at eye level with my daughter. A move that surprises me. Many adults don’t get it.
Luna comes charging towards Everly.
“Luna! Stop!” I shout.
The dog whimpers as she comes to a halt.
Everly extends her hand and Luna hesitates. She looks up at me, seeking approval. I give it to her.
“Go, but be nice,” I tell Luna.
This time she approaches Everly slowly.
“Hey, girl. How are you?” my sexy guest says, patting my dog.
Luna is putty in her hands.
Wow.
“You look so pretty, Naomi.” Everly returns her focus to my daughter.
“You like my dress?”
“It’s absolutely adorable. It fits you perfectly,” Everly says.
Naomi beams with pride. “I picked it.”
“You nailed it,” Everly says, giving her a thumbs-up. “I also quite like what Luna is wearing.”
“You do?” Naomi is giddy.
“Yes. Did you pick that as well?”
Naomi nods emphatically.
“You’re good at this,” Everly says.
“Thank you,” Naomi giggles. “I like your dress. It’s pink like my tutu.”
“I haven’t been to a ballet class in so long, but you inspired me the other day. I wanted to look just like you.”
“Oh,” Naomi is lost for words.
Her blue eyes dart up to mine.
I smile back at her.
“Did Daddy do your hair?” Everly asks.
“Yes, but I picked what I wanted.”
“You look like a little princess.”
Naomi is smiling from ear to ear.
Everly just earned herself a lot of brownie points.
“Come on in,” I say.
Everly kicks off her shoes.
“Keep them,” I tell her. “I like them on you.” A lot.
“Me too,” Naomi chimes in.
“Okay,” Everly blushes, sliding back into her heels.
“We’ll head to the kitchen,” I suggest.
“I’m right behind you,” Everly says.
“Me too,” Naomi echoes.
“Ladies first.”
“Okay,” they say in unison.
“It’s straight ahead, you can’t miss it,” I say.
“I’ll show you,” Naomi says, taking hold of Everly’s hand.
The gorgeous brunette looks up at me, surprised.
I smile warmly.
So far, so good.
“Let’s go, Luna,” Naomi says. “Daddy doesn’t like when you stay out here by yourself.”
Both Everly and I laugh.
“Oh, thank you again for the ride. In a city like LA, life is much better when you’re a passenger,” Everly says.
“Glad you enjoyed it,” I say, my eyes riveted by the hypnotic swaying of her hips. When I lift my gaze, I notice the cutout in the back of her dress that reveals a peek of skin. It’s nothing naughty, but I can’t tell you how fast my mind goes into the gutter.
“Wow, you have an amazing home,” Everly says, walking through the house.
“Thank you. I’ll give you a tour later.”
“I’d love that. Have you lived here long?”
“I got it six months after Naomi was born and rented it while I was in London. I love this area.”
“It’s unquestionably la crème de la crème,” she says.
I’m not even going to argue.
It’s only when I drop the boxes on the kitchen island I can finally focus my attention on her.
Everly is breathtaking.
Her hair falls over her shoulders with a pronounced wave. It’s so seductive. The violet ends complement her soft pale pink dress. It’s classy, but the way the lower part of the dress hits her mid-calf has my mind concocting myriad naughty scenarios. She paired her dress with sexy as fuck heels, fun accessories and a small handbag hanging from a gold chain—all in the same shade of pink. Her natural make-up only accentuates her delicate features and brings out her big, beautiful brown eyes.
I wonder if the lingerie matches?
A grin I can’t contain lifts the corners of my lips.
I take a step forward.
This close, I catch the subtle notes of her flowery perfume. My cock is painfully aware of how long it’s been since I’ve been inside her.
She blushes under my inspection.
I lean in and kiss her cheek. I’ve missed the softness of her skin against my lips. “You look great.”
“Thank you. So do you.”
“Thank you.”
I kept it casual. Fitted dark wash jeans and a dark red long-sleeve Henley shirt with buttons at the front. I finished off the look with a pair of black Chelsea ankle boots.
I feel Naomi’s curious gaze on us.
“We’re having a barbecue. I hope that’s okay?” I change the subject.
“You’ll never hear me say no to a barbecue.”
“Good. I’m no master chef or anything like that, but my barbecues are pretty memorable—”
“Daddy's the best cook,” Naomi champions on my behalf.
“Shhh,” I say. “I’ll have to live up to those expectations,” I wink.
“I’m sure Naomi knows what she’s talking about.”
“Yes, I do!”
Naomi flashes me a my-daddy-is-the-best-ever grin.
“Sounds like I might be having seconds.” Everly winks.
I grin back.
“I hope you don’t mind eating outside. It’s just easier with the barbecue.”
“I’m cooped up in a hot kitchen most of the day, I won’t protest.”
“All right, why don’t you hang out with me in the kitchen while I get the appetizer ready.”
“How can I help?”
“No, no, no. You’re our guest. Sit. You’ve been on your feet all day.”
“You can sit here,” Naomi says, already pulling out a chair.
“Thank you, sweetie.”
“Welcome,” Naomi beams.
“Looks like it took you all day to bake those,” I jerk my chin towards the boxes.
“I was baking for some pretty special people. I had to get it right. It took me a few searches to find the right dog-friendly dessert recipe, but I think I have a winner. I even tested the doggie treats on a couple of guinea pigs. I’m happy to report I might have a Doberman and a German Shepherd parked at my door tomorrow morning,” she laughs.