Page 51 of Daddies' Holiday Toy

And now I have no idea how I’m going to live in the same cabin as him for the next however fucking long without combusting from shame.

I stay like that for what feels like hours, floating in a hangover haze and trying to beg the universe or whatever god is still left up there to smite me right where I am, until a knock rattles the door.

My head snaps up.

Please don’t be Liam.

“Holly?”

Relief floods me at the sound of Jack’s voice.

“Uh…yeah?”

“Brought you something,” he says, and I hear the faint clink of ceramic. “You thirsty?”

Scrambling, I pull on pajama pants and a long-sleeved top, making sure every inch of skin is covered before I crack the door.

Jack’s there, relaxed and calm as ever, holding a steaming mug and two pills.

The smell of tea and bacon rolls off him like a warm blanket, coming from somewhere down the hall.

“Tea,” he says, handing me the mug, “and something for your head. Figured you’d need it considering the proof of that liquor last night was pretty high.”

I smile at him and take them both, careful not to let my fingers brush his.

My nerves are already shot enough, I don’t need to add to it by pulling him back into the mix of my fantasies.

“Thanks. And, um…sorry. About last night.”

His brow creases. “Sorry for what?”

I bite my lip.

“For overdoing it with the whole ghost story thing and whatever else. Guess I got carried away.”

“Any reason in particular you feel like that?”

His voice is casual, but there’s weight in it for some reason.

Like he’s trying to suss outexactlywhat else I’m alluding to.

It’s hard not to avoid his stare when everything in me is screaming to grab the door and slam it shut before he sees what I’m hiding.

I’m not sure what exactly he’s searching for on my face, but whatever it is he’s paying close attention.

“My mom,” I mutter. “I kind of found out she’s seeing someone yesterday and it really bugged me. She’s never one to hide anything so…it was definitely a surprise when I happened to find out on accident. Guess it just…threw me and made me want to let loose in a destructive way.”

Jack’s eyes soften.

“Yeah, that’ll do it. I’m sorry that happened, but please don’t apologize. We’ve all had nights like that. Take it from me.”

“Do you have kids?” I blurt, then wince.

He smirks faintly. “God, no.”

“A wife?”

“No.”