The Daddy Box Set

I laughed. “I don’t want any details.”

Maria posed in her tiny suit, reminding me to cut her head out of the picture. She stood, the ocean behind her, legs slightly spread and one hand pulling out the side of her bikini as if she were going to peel it off.

“Damn girl,” I told her. “You seem a little too practiced at this.”

She gave me a coy smile. “I know how to keep my man entertained and interested.”

I watched as she took the phone and tapped out a few words before sending the picture into cyberspace. Within seconds her phone beeped. “I won’t be home tonight,” she said with a sly smile.

I had to shake my head at her. I knew she was really into Jake. This was probably the longest relationship she’d been in since her terrible breakup two years ago. It made me happy to see her really enjoying herself.

“Send it. Don’t be a coward,” she said, not looking away from her phone.

I took a deep breath and sent Ian the picture of me stretched out on the blanket.

I would love to rub you down with oil, he replied.

Every inch, rubbed in slow and deep.

I needed to get back in the water. Those few words had me wet and needy. He didn’t even have to be in the same space as I was and he already had me so turned on it would only take a single touch to have me climaxing. I was in extremely dangerous territory.

My phone chirped again. I was almost afraid to look at it for fear it would send me up and over that little crest.

Go with me to the benefit art show? Strictly professional.

I couldn’t stop the smile that spread over my face. It would be like a date. Kind of. I couldn’t kiss him or hold his hand, but I did get to be with him and that was good enough for me.

Yes.

“We have to go,” I abruptly told Maria.

“Why? What happened?”

I filled her in on the non-date with my professor.

She clapped her hands. “Yeah! Let’s go find you something to wear. You have to look devastating, but not sexy. You are impressing him, but in a way, that won’t be obvious to the rest of the faculty.”

I laughed. Maria lived to dress me up. She was a bit of a fashionista and was always more than happy to give me fashion advice. I can admit I needed it most of the time.

I couldn’t deny the excitement thrumming through my body at the thought of spending time with him. I wanted to look my best.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Ian

I don’t think I have ever struggled so much to figure out what to wear. I feel like a girl. My closet seemed as if there was nothing to wear, even though it was stuffed. It was all outdated. I hadn’t been shopping for new clothes in years. I think Miriam bought me most of what was hanging in there. Note to self—go shopping this week.

After changing into no less than four outfits, I finally settled on a pair of dark-colored jeans and a black polo shirt. It wasn’t my typical stuffy professor attire, but it wasn’t too laid back to raise the eyebrows of the other faculty. I slid into a pair of comfortable black shoes, put on my watch, and declared myself ready for a date. I think of it as a date, even if it is technically not. At least as far as any of my colleagues are concerned.

I wished I could have picked her up and driven her to the art show, but that would definitely raise some red flags. We agreed to meet there. It would be easy to find her in the crowd. I had an attraction to her that worked like a homing beacon.

As expected, I found her within seconds of entering the building. It was as if a ray of light was beaming from the ceiling, highlighting her golden hair and pointing her out to me. I took a few minutes to drink in the sight of her before slowly moving through the crowd to greet her.

Her tanned skin stood out against the light-yellow dress, giving her a healthy glow. Looking at the sun’s kiss reminded me of the pictures she’d sent me the day before, sending a dangerous thrill up my spine. The dress revealed perfectly shaped shoulders. It tied behind her neck, covering up most of her chest area. I imagined untying that string with my teeth. I knew she didn’t have a bra on underneath, which was nearly my undoing.

I followed the swath of fabric that was gathered by a dazzling skinny belt, just before the dress flared out and landed just above her knee. It was youthful, flirty, and spectacular—just like her. I loved that she preferred a more natural look and wore minimal makeup. When I went to bed with a woman, I took comfort in knowing I was going to wake up to the same face. Miriam was the kind of woman who looked very different in the morning when the makeup was washed away. It wasn’t always a good thing.

Before I even realized what I was doing, I was standing in front of her, staring.