Daddy's Little Assistant (Daddy 9)

He watched her think about it for a moment and then smile.

“I’m glad she cares, but she’s got to know you would never hurt me.”

The innocent trust coming from the woman standing before him tugged at something in the depths of his soul, something he’d never reached before.

“No, Kinley. You’re right. I would never hurt you.”

He was thrilled she was feeling this as strongly as he was. It was crazy to feel like this, but he wasn’t going to fight it. Hell, his grandfather asked his grandmother to marry him a few hours after he met her, and amazingly, she’d said yes. They were extremely happy until his grandmother passed away. His father wasn’t too much better. He asked Eli’s mom to marry him after a few dates. Falling in love at first sight just seemed to run in the family.

She smiled and grabbed the hand he held out to her, and then he led her out of the elevator.

For the next few hours, they walked through a few furniture stores and bought a bunch of things that were being delivered to the office.

“Let’s grab some lunch, and then we’ll hit one more store if you’re up for it.”

“Yes. I don’t usually like shopping, but you make it fun.”

He grinned and took her hand as they crossed the street. “Is there a good restaurant around here?”

“There is a McDonald’s two blocks away and Dairy Queen…”

“No, honey. Those are fast-food places. A place where we can sit down and talk.”

“You can sit down in McDonald’s.”

Would she be shocked to know he’d never eaten fast food in his life besides a burrito from a taco stand if he and Rick had been working late?

“A place where there are menus, and they serve you.”

“Oh, a fancy place. Um, there are a few down this block, but I’ve never eaten in one, so I don’t know how good they are.”

Damn, she was so damn sweet.

“If you’re interested. We could make a list of every restaurant in the city and go to each one. I think it would be a good way to learn the city.”

“You want to be with me some more?”

“Yes. If you’re interested.”

A blush covered her face, but she didn’t look away from him as they walked. “I would love that, but I don’t want to take up too much of your time.”

“You won’t.”

“Then, yes. I’d like that.”

He opened the door to the first restaurant they came to. They got a small table close to the back and sat down next to each other. Then they started to look at the menus the hostess put down.

He heard Kinley gasp.

“What’s wrong?”

“Have you seen the prices, Eli? I think we should leave. I can’t afford this.”

When he noticed she was getting upset, he set the menu to the side and seized her hand. “Look at me.” He waited for her to focus on him. “I don’t want you to ever worry about money, and I won’t allow you to pay for anything.”

“But you’re just starting a new job.”

Eli smiled. “I repeat. I don’t ever want you to worry about money with me. I can take care of the bill.”

“I think we should each pay our own until you get settled.”

He shook his head and squeezed her hand. “Listen to me. There will never be a time that you have to worry about money when you’re with me. I don’t want you ever to think you’ll pay for anything because I won’t allow it. Do you understand?”

He waited for her to nod. “Good. Thank you, baby. Now let’s order. I’m hungry.”

She sighed and looked at her menu. He saw her trying to find the cheapest thing and almost rolled his eyes. “What are you getting?” he asked her.

“Their salads look good.”

He snorted. “Do you like steak?”

“Well, yes, but…”