Page 11 of Daddy’s Little Charmer (Daddy #36)

“At first, but something happened to make him back off. I suspect it was Sunny and some guys in the neighborhood, but she won’t tell me.”

Christian grunted and shook his head. “Sunny?”

“The prostitute. Her real name is Theresa. She says as long as she’s stuck in the neighborhood, she won’t use her real name. I don’t even think Porter, the pimp, knows her real name.”

Christian held up his hand for the waitress again.

She came and put Harmony’s food in a container and started picking up the used dishes.

“Can I get you another drink or dessert?” the waitress asked.

Harmony shook her head when Christian looked at her with his eyebrow raised. “I’m good.”

“Just the check,” Christian said and turned back to Harmony.

He reached for her hand and slowly slid his thumb over the back of her smooth hand.

“The guys told me about your friends. What would you say if I told you I already have a place picked out for Mrs. Owens that’s very close to where I have my house?”

Harmony opened and shut her mouth. “What?”

Christian smiled at the confusion on her face. “Nico told me how much the older woman meant to you, and as well as I know you already, I know you’ll worry about her. Am I right?”

Harmony nodded. “I’d worry every day. She can’t walk to the grocery store like she used to, so she depends on me and another woman to bring her things.”

“So, the place I’ll have her moved into is a semi-retirement place. They can take care of themselves for the most part. There are three meals a day, an exercise room, a small shop, a hairdresser, and other amenities. They also have scheduled games and activities all the time.”

“Why are you doing this?” Harmony asked, perplexed.

Christian bent toward her. “Because to take care of you, I need to take care of the people you care about. Besides, this lady was a teacher for forty years, and it pisses me off that she has to live on so little.”

“I’ve thought the same way. She’s mentioned her husband had a gambling addiction, and she lost everything, so now she has to live off of her Social Security.”

Harmony paused as the waitress set down the check and thanked them.

She watched Christian pull out a card and place it in the leather folder.

Right away, the waitress was back and took it, and within a minute was back again.

Christian signed the slip of paper and returned his card back in his wallet.

“What do you want from me?” she asked softly.

Christian reached out and smoothed her hair away from her face. “Just you. I want you to trust me to take care of you.”

“What if in a month you decide we aren’t compatible? Where does that leave Mrs. Owens and me?”

“Mrs. Owens will have a place at this home for the rest of her life, no matter what. As far as you go, I can guarantee we’ll be fine. But if you end up being miserable, I’ll set you up in an apartment with an allowance until you graduate and get a job.”

“I don’t like the thought of you having to pay for me.”

“This is my idea, Baby. I’m the one pushing it. I think it would be my responsibility to get you on your feet after sweeping you off them, and taking your job and apartment away from you.”

Harmony stared at him for a long moment. “When?”

“I’ll have you talk to Mrs. Owens tomorrow, and if she agrees, the guys will have her moved into a room the same day. As for you, I want you home with me.”

“Tonight?” she screeched. “You’re really serious, aren’t you?”

Christian chuckled. “Yes. If I can help it, I don’t ever want to spend another night away from you.”

“But … but,” she stuttered.

He could tell what she was thinking and held up a hand.

“There will be no sex until you are comfortable. We’ll sleep in the same bed, and I’ll hold you all night, but I won’t make love to you until you’re ready.”

“Oh, wow.” She nervously pushed her hair away from her face and stared down at the table.

“Trust me,” he pleaded as he held his hand out to her and waited.

Harmony exhaled and then slowly nodded as she set her hand in his.

“I will, I mean, I do. I don’t know why I do already, but it’s there.”

Christian leaned forward and gently pressed a kiss to her lips. He leaned back.

“You won’t regret this.”

Harmony tried to smile as he helped her to her feet. She snatched up the doggy bag.

They were silent as they made their way out of the restaurant. Christian’s car was at the curb waiting.

Harmony stared at the car they’d driven up in. “How did he know we were done?”

“A staff member calls him when we’re done eating.” Christian stopped at the car door Dover held open for them.

“I didn’t get a chance to introduce you earlier because we were in a rush. Dover, this is Harmony.” He looked down at her. “Baby, this guy’s name is Dover. He won’t go by anything else. He’s been with me for a lot of years, so I trust him to keep you safe.”

Harmony smiled and held her hand out. “It’s very nice to meet you, sir.”

Dover’s eyebrows went up. Few people wanted to shake the driver’s hand, much less show respect by addressing him with “sir.” He already liked her better than any other woman Christian had dated.

The women in his boss’s past were high-maintenance, condescending, and didn’t give him the time of day.

Half the time, he thought they hadn’t even seen him, even though he opened their doors and stood right beside them.

“It’s nice to meet you. Anytime you need a ride, you just call.”

Harmony’s smile grew. “That’s nice, but I’m good with public transportation. I don’t want to take you away from Christian.”

Dover looked horrified and glanced at Christian. He relaxed at the concern on the man’s face. Christian wouldn’t let that happen. “Well, I’ll just let you two figure it out.”

Christian started to lead Harmony into the back of the car.

“Wait,” she exclaimed and walked to a dark and closed adjoining storefront.

“Where are you going?” Christian asked as he followed her.

She kept her attention on the man lounging in the doorway, half asleep. She noticed he stiffened when she approached him, so she slowed down and stayed a few feet away, allowing him to feel more comfortable.

“Hi, sir. I wondered if you’d like to have the rest of my meal. It was excellent, but I just couldn’t eat a lot of it, and I thought it was a shame to throw it away.”

Harmony held the bag out to the man.

The older guy cautiously reached for it. He relaxed a bit when she took a step back.

“Are you a military vet?” Christian asked as he stopped beside Harmony and wrapped an arm around her waist.

“Yes, sir,” the man said politely.

“I thought so. I saw your fatigues.” Christian reached into his suit coat pocket and pulled out a card. “If you’d like some help of any kind, be it a job or a place to live, call that number. I have a program set up for the warriors who have protected our country.”

The guy looked down at the card and then back up. “Thank you, sir. I will definitely be calling. I’m a hard worker, but it’s not easy finding work when you have a bum leg.”

“Did you injure it in the war?” Harmony asked.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“I’m so sorry. I really hope you let Christian help,” she said and patted Christian’s chest, indicating who she was talking about. “He is a good man who cares about people.”

“I will, ma’am. I can’t thank you both enough. I was feeling pretty down and lonely at the moment, but you two have saved … given me a chance at life.”

Christian reached forward and shook the man’s hand. “It’s us that should be thanking you for your service.”

The man smiled. Christian was taken aback at how young the man was.

He would have bet he was around Christian’s age, but the man sitting in front of him was at least a decade younger.

With his straight white teeth and wrinkle-free complexion, his age was apparent.

When they had first walked up, the worry on the man’s face had aged him considerably.

“Please call. I’d like your help,” Christian said. “I always need good people in my business.”

The man saluted. “You’ll hear from me. Name’s Preston, sir.”

“I’ll see you soon then. Tell the people on the card that Christian sent you.”

“I will. Thank you again.”

Christian led Harmony back to the car and helped her into the back seat before crawling in himself and sitting close to her.

Harmony waited until they were out on the road in the traffic. “You were amazing back there.”

Christian looked down at her. “Baby, you’re the one who saw him. I’m ashamed to say I walked right by him.”

Harmony nodded. “It’s easy to do that. I hope he calls.”

Christian nodded. “I would bet he will. I saw a spark of life in his eyes at the end. I think he’s going to be a great asset to my company.”

Harmony pressed her hand to his chest. “You’re a good man.”

Christian leaned down and kissed the top of her head. “I have a feeling you make me a good man. Or maybe it’s a better man.”

Harmony smiled at the compliment. “I guess I should go home and pack?”

Christian shook his head. “No, we’re going straight home, Baby. The guys will pack it up tonight. I’ve got everything you’ll need.”

“Oh,” she murmured and looked out her side window. She turned back. “I’ll be able to go back and see everyone?”

“Yes, with the guys.”

She released a tense breath. “What about my roommate?”

Christian grunted and shuddered. “I will take care of Mrs. Owens and Sunny. I’m sorry, Baby, but Danny will have to do without you.”

Harmony sighed. She figured as much. “Can you tell the guys to leave several crackers in the corner of the kitchen for him?”

Christian burst out laughing. “I’m sure they’d love to do that for you.”

Harmony grinned. “Probably not. They both seemed afraid of the little thing.”

“They were. But I’m guessing they’ll do anything you need.”

“They’re good guys. Most of the time, they’re fun, but Nico likes to fight a lot with me.”

Christian grinned and shook his head. Nico had already told him about the arguments they had over who was paying. He guessed there would be a lot more quarrels between them.

Harmony grinned. “You know, if I could choose guys to have as brothers, they would be it. They get obnoxious at times, but for the most part, they’re enjoyable to be with.”

“I’m glad. They will be the ones with you the most,” he reassured her.

“I really don’t need them to go to school with me.”

Christian frowned down at her. “One thing that’s going to be nonnegotiable is your protection. We’ll talk more about it later. Okay?”

Harmony nodded and tucked her head against his shoulder.

“You talked about helping Sunny?” Harmony asked.

“Yes, I have some things in mind. We’ll get her taken care of.”

Harmony hummed and closed her eyes. The sleepless night she’d had was catching up to her.