Her cheeks flush. “I actually have plenty.”
“Oh?” I raise a brow.
She and Forest exchange a look. One that’s theirs.
They’ve always had the best friend mind-reading thing down, but now that they’re actually together, they’re at a whole other level.
He turns to me. “Seriously, Holden. Don’t fuck her.”
“Of course,” I say.
For a second his brow relaxes. His shoulders drop. His eyes fill with relief.
“Saving myself for Skye,” I say.
“You’re going to be waiting awhile.” She laughs. “Forever.”
“That’s okay. I’m saving the videos for you.” I shoot her my flirtiest wink. It’s not my best work—I’m too distracted by thoughts of Daisy—but it’s good practice. Like attempting a poker face.
“The videos.” Her eyes go wide. “Oh god.”
“I can send them if you want,” I say.
“Do you actually have videos?” Forest asks.
“What do you think?” I shrug. I’ll never tell.
I do have videos. Many videos. Sometimes, women ask. And I aim to please.
It’s exactly where I am.
There’s nothing better than watching a woman come. Feeling her thighs against my cheeks. Or my hands. Or my hips.
The way her cunt pulses around my cock.
The way her eyes roll back in her head.
Daisy has such pretty blue eyes. What do they look like filled with pleasure?
Shit.
So much for fucking myself last night. And this morning. Some good it did.
“I hate to break it to you, Forest, but they’re exclusively for Skye.” I shrug my shoulders. Try to find all the don’t give a fuck I have.
Skye laughs. “He’s getting worse at pretending.”
Forest nods. “He really is.”
She moves in. Hugs me goodbye. “Take care of her, okay? She’s a sweet kid.”
“Of course.” I keep my voice light. “I’ll take care of every one of her needs.”
“If I really thought you would, I’d…” She steps back. Bites her lip. “I guess she’s going to be an adult. You’re an adult. If it’s all consensual…” She offers her hand. “Good luck.”
“Good luck?” I ask.
Forest chuckles. “It’s not fun for him if you give him permission.”
“I appreciate that, Skye.” I take her hand. “It’s amazing you can step aside when you want me so badly.”
“I know. I’m really the bigger woman,” she says.
I make a show of staring at her chest. “Bigger something.”
She blushes.
Forest shakes his head. “Seriously, Holden. Do what you’re gonna do. But don’t forget she’s a sweet kid. And Oliver… He—”
“I know.” No one has to say it. Oliver drinks too much. I need to make sure he doesn’t cross the line. Whatever that means.
My brother pulls me into a hug. He pats my back. “You know, I’m proud of you.”
“Yeah?”
“It’s sweet that you’re helping Daisy like this.”
“Not the word I’d use, but thanks.” I shoot him a wink. “I’ll bring coffee back for you.” I turn to Skye. “Chocolate?”
“Forest would appreciate it more,” she says.
“Souvenir magnet?” I offer.
She nods okay.
“Chocolate for Ariel and Chase.” I grab my suitcase. Nod goodbye to my family. Well, half of it. Ariel had a baby two weeks ago. With Forest’s best friend Chase. That’s a long story.
But the short version is I’m an uncle and Charlotte is the coolest kid in the world.
Fuck, I hate that I’m missing a week with her.
Even if she’s too small—and she is tiny—to do anything but cry and eat.
But I get what a big ask this is. Oliver wouldn’t invite me to come unless he needed me there.
I’m not sure why he needs me, but if he’s willing to overlook how much Daisy wants me, and how little he trusts me to keep my hands off her—
Maybe he does trust me.
Or maybe there’s some big, serious reason.
That’s too much to contemplate. So I won’t. I’m going to think about the sun, the cheap tequila, the torture of Daisy in a bikini.
The week I’m missing at home.
“Send me pics of Charlotte,” I say.
Skye smiles. “You want pictures of your niece?” She slides her arm around Forest’s waist. “You’re softening.”
Shit, I am softening. That can’t happen. “Sweetie, I’ll only soften after you squeeze every drop.”
She shakes her head yeah, right. Turns to Forest. Offers him another who is Holden trying to kid look.
Fuck, I’m losing my touch.
I need to up my game. There’s no way I’m living in this serious, sentimental world where people say things like I love you and I’ll miss you and you’re the best thing that ever happened to me.
“I don’t have the time to do it right.” I double down on teasing Skye. “I can’t make it fireworks, but I’ll still—”
“No thanks.” She just smiles. Endeared. Endeared by my bullshit. “But I appreciate the offer.”
“No problem,” I say.
Forest nods his own goodbye.
Then, I turn and walk into battle.
Chapter Six
Daisy
“Be careful, baby girl.” Dad squeezes me tightly. So tightly I can barely breathe.
It’s sweet. But it’s also a reminder of last summer. The year before it. The broken sign on my forehead. “I will.”