After All - Romancing Manhattan

“You make me crazy. You know that, right? Are these new shoes?”

“They’re new,” she confirms and kisses my forehead. “I think we’ll be at the restaurant soon.”

Without looking away from her, I press the intercom button. “Circle the block three times, please.”

“Yes, sir.”

“There.” I brush my lips over hers. “That gives me a few minutes to taste you.”

“Aren’t you hungry?”

“Starving. For you. It’s been a few days.”

“I’m aware,” she says with a grin, finally loosening up. “I’m glad you like my shoes.”

“I can’t wait to get you out of this stunning dress and into my bed, in nothing but these shoes.”

“I had no idea you had such a fetish when it came to footwear,” she says and then sighs when I snake my hand up under the hem of her dress and find her not wearing any panties.

“I didn’t. Until you.” I let my fingers slide over the lips of her swollen pussy. “Is this all for me?”

“You’re the only one here.”

“Such a smart mouth.” I bite her lower lip and then soothe it with my tongue. “I might spank you for that later.”

“God, I hope so.”

“You like it rough, darling?”

“If you’re the one giving it to me, yes.”

“I’m the only one, Nora.”

She grabs my face in both hands and kisses me until my head is spinning.

“The car stopped,” she murmurs against my lips.

“We’ll pick this up later,” I assure her, and set her on the seat so she can straighten her dress and check her lipstick.

“Your lips are red.”

I pull my handkerchief out of my jacket pocket and wipe my lips.

“It might be your color.”

“Two swats,” I say, making her laugh. “Now, let’s feed you so I can make you hungry again later.”

“You say the sweetest things.”

The door opens, and Nora exits the car. I follow her inside the restaurant where the others are already seated at a table in a private room.

“Sit by me,” Gabby says to Nora.

“What about me?”

“You can sit by Nora,” Gabby replies primly.

“I see where I rate.” I laugh as I sit next to Nora and we spend the next hour and a half talking about London’s show, eating delicious food, and generally enjoying one another.

I love the Cavanaugh family more than I can measure. I’m grateful for them every day, but it’s nights like this one, when we’re all together, that I’m reminded how lucky I really am.

They didn’t have to continue including me after Darcy died, but they did.

I don’t know how I can ever repay that.

“I think Gabby and I are getting tired,” Maggie says with a happy sigh. “What a wonderful evening it was, though. There’s nothing better than having my family all together.”

“Can I spend the weekend with you, Grandma?” Gabby asks her.

“Of course you can. We’ll plan our trip.” Maggie winks at me. “Shall we go then?”

“Yeah. I need to get my makeup off and moisturize my face. I’m not getting any younger,” Gabby says.

“Where do you get this stuff?” I ask.

“YouTube.” She shrugs and then works her way around the table, hugging everyone good-bye. When she gets back to me, she wraps her arms around my shoulders. “I love you, Daddy.”

“I love you more, pumpkin.”

Saying I love you took some getting used to. My parents just didn’t throw those words around, and it wasn’t a habit for me. Sometimes, it still isn’t. But man, I love my daughter.

“See you on Sunday,” Gabby says and then follows Maggie out to their limo.

“She’s such a sweet girl,” London says after they walk out. “I’m glad she’s doing better.”

When London first met my daughter more than a year ago, Gabby was struggling. Her attitude was horrible, and in a desperate move, I sent Gabby to stay with Finn at his beach house for a few weeks in the summer. London also owns a house on Martha’s Vineyard, and that’s how she met Finn.

“It seems the worst of it is over.”

“Until she hits sixteen,” Quinn says cheerfully. “That will be fun.”

“I’ll just send her to live with you,” I offer and laugh when Quinn’s face sobers.

“I’ll end up in jail for killing some punk trying to get in her pants.”

“We’ll all be in jail for that,” Finn says.

“I’ll defend you all and get you off,” Sienna offers, making us laugh. “I don’t even want to know what kind of a delinquent you were when you were sixteen.”

“No,” Quinn agrees and kisses her cheek. “You don’t want to know.”

I glance at Nora, who’s smiling and watching the conversation around us. She’s had only one cocktail, so her cheeks are rosy, but her eyes are clear.

“What are you thinking?” I ask her, and the others quiet to listen to her answer.

“That you’re all wonderful,” she immediately says and then presses her lips together.

“Go on,” Finn says.

“I’ve known you guys for a long time,” she begins and watches her fingers as she fiddles with the stem on her glass. “And I’ve respected you. Was fond of you. You’re fair and kind to your employees, and working for you is something I’ve always been proud of.”