The Knight (Stolen Duet 2)

“I am not calling you daddy when we fuck.”

The kiss he placed upon my lips was succulent and full of promise. “We’ll see about that.”

“Angel…” My voice held a warning note.

“Little Mian Ross, it’s past your curfew.” He leaned over and kissed my lips again. “Now go inside before daddy spanks you.”

Oh, God.

I could feel his words deep in my cunt where he should have been. But there was also disappointment when his words registered. “You aren’t coming in?”

He shook his head, his face a mask of the same disappointment I felt. “Lucas thinks he has some information about Z.”

It’s been two years since Z’s disappearance, and while we all feared he was dead, none of us was willing to let go of him. It was never far from my mind that if Angel had still been the Knight, he would have probably found him by now or at least uncovered what had happened to him.

“I understand.” After all, it was his promise to me that kept him in the dark this long.

He walked me to the door and then kissed me goodnight one last time. My father was waiting in the living room when I walked inside.

“How was your date?”

“It was good, Daddy, but my feet are sore from dancing the night away.” I stepped out of the red stilts that were more Brandi’s style.

“Glad you had fun.” He fell silent, but I had a feeling he had more to say, so I waited. “So, did you give him the key?”

“I did.” His face remained emotionless as he nodded and stood.

“Then I’m happy for you, baby girl.”

“Are you still going to make it to Caylen’s birthday party this weekend?”

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world.” He kissed my forehead as he passed, but I stopped him from leaving when I wrapped my arms around his waist and held him tight.

“I’ll always be your girl, Daddy.” It had taken some time for me to trust him again, but I was thankful every day for a second chance with my father. One of the rules I’d established when Angel and I started dating was that he’d accept that my father would be in our lives. Other than an occasional snarky comment from both sides, it’s being going really well.

“I know, baby. I don’t care what that asshole says,” he added good-naturedly. I smiled against his chest and then let him go as I said my good night.

Upstairs, I stopped to check in on Caylen. He was in his usual balled up position with his knees tucked under his chin and his covers and pillows dangling over the side of the bed. I smiled as I fixed his pillows and pulled the covers over him.

After my shower, I found messages from Anna and Tabitha asking if I’d given Angel the key. It hadn’t been a spur of the moment decision, but one that had put my head through the wringer for months.

Living together was the next step in our relationship and maybe just maybe, one day, we’d put it on paper again, and this time it would be our choice.* * *I HEARD MYSELF sigh when I felt the kiss on my shoulder. His masculine scent surrounded me at the same time his heat did as he pulled me into his body. “You came back,” I whispered into the dark.

“Did you really think I’d stay away?”

I didn’t say anything as his body settled. He was naked from the waist up, and I guessed by the feeling of his bare legs tangling with mine that he was wearing shorts. I’d worn his shirt to bed because it smelled like him, but I found that the real thing was so much better.

“Any news?” His sigh, then the silence that followed was telling. My heart broke for him as I pictured Z’s smile. I couldn’t believe that it’s been two years since he had disappeared.

“It was another dead end.”

“I’m sorry,” I said as I hugged his waist.

His head dipped, and then he was kissing me. When he pulled back, my eyes finally opened, and I found him staring through the dark.

“I love you.”

I’ve heard him say it a thousand times and each time still felt like the first.

“I love you too.”

“Whatever happens, whatever it takes, I’ll always choose you.”

“Because you’re my knight in shining armor?”

His boyish smile lit up the dark corners of his soul.

“Because I’m yours.”