Page 45 of Whiskey and Regret

If I leaned in just a little, my lips would brush against his.

Would his big hand crush the small of my back, pressing me against him? Would his morals sober him enough for him to shove me away?

Would I get fired?

I couldn’t afford that shit. I had to stop playing with fire. No matter how fun it was.

I cleared my throat and took a few steps back. “Go downstairs,” I instructed him.

“Yeah…that better had been your response.” His spine went straight and he strode past me. Indignation flared to life, hitting me hard like a bee sting on the forehead.

“Excuse the fuck out of me, Evander Freeman? Are you a playground bully now or something?”

“Maybe.” I watched his broad back sway to a silent drumbeat as he went downstairs. I wanted to run down the steps on his heels and curse him out but once again, I was trying to act like I had some damn sense.

I stormed into my room with a thumping heart and a pulsing clit. I wanted a few minutes to rub one out before I had to be a presentable human being. I knew I didn’t have time for that because if Frankie wanted her dad there eating her food, then she wanted me there too. She did give me all the perfectly round pancakes.

I looked at myself in the mirror after plugging my phone in and ran my palms over my waist and hips.

Don’t let darling dick get under your skin, Xari.

“Okay, so we’re eating now.” I sat down and rubbed my hands together, ready to dig in. I stole a glance at Frankie’s face and she was beaming. That’s the look I loved seeing. She was glowing. I reached over and squeezed her hand as I finished the pancakes on my plate.

“They’re so good, Frank.”

“Are they?” Her shoulders dropped like the expectations were so heavy.

“They are phenomenal, Frankie,” Evander chimed in.

“Thanks, guys.” She paused. “Hey, Daddy do you think Mom wants a plate?” She was already up and on her feet.

“I’m sure she’d love a plate,” Evander smiled. I kept my words locked behind clenched teeth.

Alexis didn’t deserve all the love Frankie poured into her. Maybe that was harsh but I hated how secondary she made her daughter feel. If Frankie were my kid, I’d be there for her whenever she needed it.

Hell, Evander wasn’t the world’s best father because he was busy at work most of the time but he made sure he saw Frankie every day. He had conversations with her. He listened. He was open and honest with her about everything. I couldn’t say the same for Alexis.

When the doorbell rang followed by incessant knocking, I knew filter face had arrived. I wondered if she had her injections touched up or did that only happen every six months?

“I’ll get it,” I sang, hopping up with an extra bounce in my step. Evander was hot on my heels and I knew he would be.

“Xari, let me open the door.”

“Why? Aren’t I the help? Shouldn’t I be the first person she sees?” He wrapped his strong fingers around my bicep and squeezed.

“Move,” he said in a low tone. I ignored him and pulled free, making my way to the foyer.

Ding dong!

Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock.

Evander pushed me against the wall in the foyer, pinning me beneath his hulking tall frame. My clit throbbed and my nipples tightened. I’d never been so close to him.

Not where our bodies touched and I felt his heat. This was new. This was heady and full.

My arms wanted to be draped around his neck. My legs wanted to constrict his waist. My tongue wanted his mouth.

“I said move. I don’t need y’all going at it in front of Frankie. Got it?”