Page 79 of Power Play Daddies

His eyes sweep over Daisy, taking in her pale face, the way she leans into me slightly. His jaw tightens. “You okay?”

She recovers fast, offering a small smile. “Yeah. I just—” She gestures vaguely toward the dining area. “I hate the smell of fish. And I’ve had a stomach bug lately. It caught up to me.”

Ace studies her for a long second. “You should’ve told me. You could’ve missed the event.”

“I didn’t want to miss the opportunity,” she says smoothly, even managing to flash that bright, charming smile she’s known for. Impressive, considering she was just dry heaving into a sink.

He exhales, then gestures toward the door. “I’ll take you home.”

Before I can think about it, I say, “She lives close to me. I’ll drop her off.”

Ace’s gaze shifts to me, assessing. “You sure?”

Daisy jumps in before I can. “You shouldn’t miss such a big night,” she tells him, her voice light but firm.

He hesitates, then nods. “All right. Get some rest.”

We turn for the exit, and as soon as we’re out of earshot, Daisy leans in, voice low. “Do you think he suspects anything?”

No way in hell am I letting her stress about this right now.

“Of course not,” I say easily, keeping my hand on her back, still rubbing slow circles.

Outside, the valet pulls up with my brand new red Jeep Wrangler, and Daisy stares at it, brows lifting.

“Where’s the bike?” she asks.

I open the passenger door for her. “You think I’m carrying your pregnant ass on a motorcycle?”

A slow smile spreads across her face. “You got a car just to drive me around?”

I smirk. “Maybe.”

She shakes her head, amused, but her eyes are warm.

I lean in, pressing a kiss to her cheek before helping her into the Jeep.

The whole drive to her apartment, she’s quiet.

For once, I don’t mind.

Slim’s small body, sprawled out over my lap, rises and falls with each breath.

Daisy’s black kitten has been glued to me all night, purring like a damn engine, kneading at my thigh with tiny claws. I scratch under his chin, and he stretches, blinking, slow and lazy.

The sound of soft footsteps pulls my attention.

Daisy walks in, rubbing at her eyes, her red hair piled on top of her head in a messy knot, a few strands escaping and curling around her flushed cheeks. She’s in a pair of tiny pale pink shorts, the hem barely reaching the tops of her thighs, and an oversized white T-shirt that’s slipping off one shoulder, exposing her bare skin.

She looks soft. Comfortable. Adorable.

Her eyes flick to the ginger ale on the table. “Is that for me?”

I grab it, pop the cap, and hand it over. “How are you feeling now?”

She sighs, sinking onto the couch beside me, her legs curling under her. “So much better. Thanks.”

I don’t hesitate to pull her into me, wrapping an arm around her, kissing the top of her head as she snuggles closer.