The Single Dad (The Dalton Brothers 3)

Maybe that was why he could read me so easily.

“I’m about to start college,” I told her. “I’ll soon be in hell, too, so I get it.” I stood in front of the coffee machine, looking for a mug stand, like Gabby had in our apartment. There wasn’t a cup in sight. “Mugs are where?”

She pointed at one of the cabinets. “And creamer is in the fridge. Sugar and sweetener in the pantry.”

“Thank you.”

I opened the cabinet, and the first thing I saw was a cup with Best Dad Ever across the front, a photo of Ford and his little girl underneath the words. The picture was small, detailed just enough that I saw curly pigtails and a smile that was identical to Ford’s—genuine, beautiful.

Absolutely adorable.

My heart was melting.

I chose a standard white ceramic mug and stuck it under the spout of the Nespresso machine. While I waited for it to finish pouring, I grabbed the creamer from the fridge, shook the bottle, and added some to the top of the coffee.

“Where are you going to school?” his cousin asked.

I surrounded the cup with both hands and brought it up to my mouth. “UCLA.” I took my first sip, savoring the warmth. “I start in a few weeks, at the beginning of spring semester. Just gen ed, but I’m taking them online. Hopefully, that’ll make them a little more tolerable.”

“That’s the way to go, trust me. I’d rather pause a lecture on my laptop than get caught snoozing in front of the professor.”

I laughed. “Good point.”

“So, did you just graduate high school?”

There was concern in her expression.

I assumed she was worried an eighteen-year-old had just stayed the night with her much older cousin.

“No, no.” I shook my head. “I took a job right after graduation, and I’ve traveled the world for the last four years. College has always been on my radar, but the timing was just never right. When it became possible, I made the move.”

“But what an experience that must have been.”

I tucked my unruly hair behind my ears. “I don’t regret it for a second.”

“Good luck with school. I have a feeling it’s going to go great for you.”

I grinned. “Thank you—and for you too. Wear that crown and show those boys at the law firm what it looks like when a girl kicks ass.”

“Ohhh, yes. I plan to.”

I waved good-bye and returned to Ford’s room, bringing the coffee into bed. Even though I’d been quiet, the movement of the mattress caused him to stir, his eyes gradually opening, meeting mine.

God.

He was perfection in the morning. Hair completely messy, beard a little thicker than it had been last night, a stare that was lusty and feral.

I was ready for whatever he wanted to do to me.

“Good morning,” I said softly.

He eyed the cup, pulling the comforter up to his abs as he sat up and leaned his back against the headboard. “Morning.”

“I met your cousin. She told me where I could find a mug.” I smiled. “She’s really lovely.”

He lifted a remote off the nightstand and held it toward the windows, the blinds suddenly opening. “Was she out there alone?”

“Yes.” I took a deep breath. “Your daughter is still asleep.”

He ran his hand over his hair, attempting to tame it. “I probably should have told you.” He paused. “She’s the reason I didn’t want to come back here last night.”

“I understand.” I looked down at the cup. “This is … I don’t know what this is, but you don’t owe me an explanation.”

“I still want to give you one.” He continued to drag his palm over his hair, but now, I had a feeling it was for a different reason. “I’m a single dad, and I’ve never brought a woman I’m dating around my daughter. It’s not that I’m against the idea; I just haven’t been in a long-term, committed relationship since she was born. It’s never felt right, and dating is hard when I have a daughter.”

I put my hand on his stomach. “I really do understand, Ford.”

Before he could ask why or say another word, we were interrupted by his phone.

He looked away to lift it off his nightstand. “One second. This is my assistant.” He held his cell to his ear and said, “Good morning.” He was quiet for several seconds. “I want you to vet them. If they pass your test, send me their résumés, and if I like what I see, we’ll set up interviews.” He paused again. “Thank you.”

I waited until he hung up to ask, “Are you hiring another assistant?”

He shook his head. “A nanny.” He stole my coffee and took a sip. “Hannah, my cousin whom you met, can’t do it anymore. She’s gotten too busy.”

“But she’s going to kick ass at your law firm.”

He laughed. “I see you two talked.” He took another drink from the cup. “Yes, she most certainly will. But that still leaves me in a predicament since I can’t exactly leave Everly alone.”

The E that was sewn on the little pink chair.

“Everly,” I whispered. “That’s beautiful.”

He handed the coffee back to me. “That was my choosing … not her mother’s.”

His tone told me there was a story there. One that was complicated, and his mention of being a single dad only emphasized that, but I decided not to ask.

If and when he wanted to talk about it, he would.

His hand went to my cheek, his thumb brushing across my lips in a way that he’d done many times last night. Each time stirring so many sensations in my body. “I don’t want to rush you out, but Everly typically gets up in about forty-five minutes. That’ll give me just enough time to drive you home, assuming you don’t live too far from here, and come back to make her breakfast.”

“That’s cute.”

His brows rose. “Breakfast is?”

“That you want to be here when she wakes, that you cook for her—all the things.”

He took my coffee again, this time setting it by his phone, and he caged me in his arms, moving me flat on his bed so he could climb on top of me.

I was completely full of Ford.