Possessive Baby Daddy
“My dad can be a little… scattered,” I say.
“Oh, yeah? Was that who you were yelling at on the phone when you ran into me?”
I blush a little. “I mean, uh, yeah.”
He grins. “Thought so.”
“He just gave me the dumbest directions. They made absolutely no sense. And I know he was high again, the asshole.”
“Is that a problem you have often?”
“Unfortunately, yes. Honestly the whole company would shut down if it weren’t for me.”
“Really?” he asks, frowning.
“Look, my dad is good at what he does. He has an eye for talent. But when it comes to the business, he’s just… he thinks it’s still the seventies.”
“I think I know what you mean,” he says. “Your dad likes to party.”
“Right. He thinks a business meeting is an excuse to do coke and order strippers.”
He laughs and shakes his head. “God, that is so not what I’m used to.”
“Welcome to LA.” I frown and look at the waves. “You’d be surprised how many people are like that in this industry.”
“Yeah, I bet.”
“Where are you from originally?”
“A little town out in Virginia,” he says. “At least, that’s where my family lives. I’m from a series of boarding schools and private colleges.”
“Sounds… fun?”
He shrugs. “It wasn’t so bad, really. Was probably better than living at home.”
“Why? Were your parents strict?”
“You could say that.” He frowns and glances away. “I’m from a, uh… particular family.”
“What does that mean?” I ask with a laugh.
He doesn’t smile. “I’m not sure how to say it without sounding like an asshole.”
“Try. Or just sound like an asshole. I already think you’re full of shit.”
He grins at me. “Everyone here is full of shit, my dear. But I’m a little less full than most.”
I arch an eyebrow at him, and although I do believe that, I’m not going to admit it. “So then tell me.”
“We’re wealthy.”
“Ah,” I say. “Wealthy. That means you’re filthy stinking rich.”
“Sort of,” he admits. “But not exactly.”
“You’re like a blue blood, then?”
“That’s… more accurate.” He sighs and stretches. “I hate this conversation. I really do. I tell women how rich I am and they just instantly start trying to get in my pants, you know?”
I laugh as he grins at me. “Oh, god, it must be so hard. I feel so bad for you.”
“Thanks, I appreciate that. Life’s been rough, you know? All this money’s been hard on me.”
“So now I know how you’re starting your own production company, at least.”
He shrugs. “Pretty much. My family is very traditional. I think we need to diversify our holdings a bit.”
“So you came to LA to, what, invest your money?”
“Not exactly. I came to start a production company because I love movies and thought it would be fun. Plus, I’m good at it.”
“How could you possibly know if you’re good at it or not?”
“Educated guess. Well, a strong hunch.”
“You’re definitely full of shit.”
He laughs and takes my hand, pulling me against him. I stumble and look up as he stops walking. His other hand goes along my lower back and moves up into my hair. He takes it and pulls it gently, and even though we’re in public, I don’t stop him.
I don’t think I could even if I tried. My heart’s racing so fast and my skin is practically tingling with need. He looks down at me and smirks. “If I’m so full of shit, why aren’t you running away?” he asks. “Right now, you look like you’re begging for me to take your clothes off.”
“I am not,” I say without any real force.
“And you give me the weakest denial in the world.” He leans toward me, his lips brushing my cheek toward my ear. “Come on, little redhead. Tell me the truth. Do you want me to strip you down right here on this beach on our very first date?”
I push him and he laughs, stepping back. I glare up at him, heart racing. I can feel myself blushing. “Don’t be a dick,” I say. “You were doing so well until right now.”
He steps up toward me again and puts his hands on my hips. “Okay then. How about we try again?”
I gasp as he grabs my hair, softer this time, and tilts my head back. When he kisses me, I don’t push him away. I lean into that kiss, tasting him, drinking him in.
God, he’s incredible.
I feel insane, like I’m losing my mind, but I can’t stop it. I want this so badly it hurts. This man, this gorgeous man, and his kiss. Even if we’re in public and there are other people on this beach, I don’t care. I think I’d let him strip me down, right here, right now. Just like he said.
But the kiss breaks off and he smirks at me. “Better?” he asks.
“Better,” I whisper.
We stare at each other for a long moment. His lips are full and his face is covered in just the slightest hint of stubble. He’s beautiful, and the rest of the world slips away as I let myself tumble into those gorgeous eyes.