“Want to hang out at my place?”
“You want me to watch TV in your apartment?”
“Yes. Let’s get your clothes changed and grab Bubbles. You can keep Tinkerbell company and… I like the thought of you in my home. It will give me energy to whomp Knox’s butt for leg night.”
“I’ve seen Knox’s butt. I don’t think I’d plan on kicking it if I were you,” she warned as they walked into her apartment and headed for her bedroom.
“One, no looking at Knox’s butt. Two, my butt will never be that large. He’s like a giant.” His dancing dark eyes told her he was teasing.
Giggling at his sense of humor, Belinda qualified her acceptance. “I’ll come if you have snacks.”
“Cheese popcorn?” he suggested.
“The white cheddar kind or the orange kind?”
“White cheddar, of course.”
“Then I accept.”
Belinda tried not to get nervous as Pedro followed her into her bedroom. He’d already seen and touched virtually every part of her. Still, as he undressed her, she had to keep herself from shielding her body from his gaze. She tried to focus on the small things he did to make her more comfortable—rubbing her feet after removing her shoes, insisting she didn’t need a bra, and helping her into slouchy sweatpants and a baggy T-shirt.
“I don’t look very good for a date,” she pointed out, waving a hand at her outfit.
“Are you ready to relax?” he probed.
“Definitely.”
“Then it’s time to head to my apartment. Grab Bubbles and let’s take your polish with us.”
“You’re really going to do my nails?” she asked.
“Yes. Why not? It sounds like fun to me.”
She couldn’t prevent the delighted giggle that burst from her lips. Belinda picked up her stuffie from the bed, grabbed her phone to look for videos, and darted into the bathroom to pull the small basket of nail polish from the storage closet. Reporting back to Pedro, she almost danced in excitement before him.
“I’m ready.”
“You need shoes to be out in the hall.”
“Nope. I’m not wearing shoes,” she declared.
“Give me the basket,” he requested. When she complied, he leaned over and scooped her up over one shoulder in a fireman’s lift.
Squealing, she grabbed the back of his pants for security. “I can walk!”
“Not without shoes. Let’s go.” Pedro walked with no apparent difficulty to the door and out into the hall. He held on to her with one hand while the other held the basket of polish.
“Daddy!” she whispered furiously as he paused at his door to open it. “People are coming. Put me down.”
“Hold this,” Pedro requested, swinging his arm behind him to hand her the basket.
Belinda grabbed it as the voices approached the turn in the hall. She sighed in relief as he stepped inside and closed the door behind him. “That was close!”
Pedro set her feet down on the carpet and pulled her close. Brushing the hair from her face, he asked, “Would it be that bad if people knew we were involved?”
Studying his concerned face, she shook her head and admitted, “No. I don’t really care if they know. I’ve just always been cautious about separating my career and my private life.”
“How about if I promise I’ll never discuss our intimate activities with anyone?”