to go where we wanted, when we wanted, and make decisions based on what made us happy.
“You’re watching me sleep again,” she murmured, nestling against me.
“’Cause you’re still so damn gorgeous, I can’t help it.”
“Mm-hmm.” She ran her hand along my bare torso, fingers lightly skimming my skin until she got to my erection. She closed her fingers around it gently, toying with me, rubbing her thumb along the leaking tip. We hadn’t made love last night, too physically and emotionally spent to do anything, but it felt good that she was initiating it now.
“God damn, I love the way your hands feel on me,” I moaned, letting her touch and explore on her own terms.
A brisk knock on the door made us both jump, and I yanked the sheet up.
“Ariel? Your father just pulled in.” Dane called through the door.
“Shit.” We both sat up, hastily reaching for our clothes.
“You can let him in,” Ariel called to him. “I’ll be down in a minute.”
“Got it.”
Dane’s footsteps in the hall faded, and she and I shared a wry smile.
“I owe you one,” she said, grinning.
“You owe me nothing. I owe you.” I leaned over to press a quick kiss to her lips before we headed down the hall to the stairs.
Douglas had just come in as we got to the bottom of the stairs, and Ariel faltered for a moment, meeting his gaze directly.
“Ariel.” He looked angry, which seemed to be his version of resting bitch face.
“Dad.”
“You’re making a mistake, you know.”
“You lied to me,” she said. “You made me think I was bipolar.”
“I thought you were. Dr. Cruz diagnosed you and—”
“And that’s why you’ve been giving me fucking ibuprofen for eight years?” She shook her head. “I would have taken care of you financially. You didn’t have to manipulate me and make me feel like something was wrong with me. You were all I had, and you betrayed me.”
“You were out of control.”
“I was a sad teenager who’d lost her mom and risen to fame way too fast. I would have settled down with a little love and attention instead of being institutionalized and lied to.”
“You were turning eighteen and already threatening to move out and do your own thing. I had to protect you!”
“There were a million other ways to do that than the way you did it.” She sighed, still standing on the bottom step of the winding staircase. “Just get your things and go, Dad. I don’t want to argue about this.”
“You’ll regret this,” he muttered.
“I doubt it.”
“Dammit, Ariel, why are you listening to people who don’t care about you instead of your own father? I’m all the family you have, and you’re kicking me to the curb after all I’ve done for you.”
“How much is there in that account in the Caymans?” she asked softly. “What about the cabin in Lake Arrowhead that you told me was for me to get away but, turns out, is only in your name? And the Porsche you drive? Did you pay for that, or did I?”
“I’ve devoted my entire life to you and your career. I gave up my own, so how am I supposed to support myself now?”
“You should have thought of that before you started putting ibuprofen in my medication bottle.” She turned to Dane. “Will you escort him as he packs? He can take anything in his room or office. Anything else has to be approved by me.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Dane turned to Douglas. “Are you ready to start, sir? Do you have boxes?”
“Fuck you.” Douglas turned and took the stairs two at a time, brushing past us.
“No thanks,” Dane whispered, following him.
“Looks like there’s a big-ass U-Haul outside,” I told Ariel, chuckling at Dane’s comment. “I think he was planning to take more than the bedroom stuff.”
“Too bad.” She headed for the kitchen. “You want breakfast? I don’t know what’s in the fridge, but I’m sure there’s coffee.”
We walked into the kitchen, and a plump, older woman jumped in surprise. “Miss Ariel! You’re home.”
“Hello, Trudy.” Ariel smiled.
“Good morning. Can I make you breakfast? I didn’t know if anyone would be home today.”
“Breakfast would be wonderful. Dad will be moving out today and won’t be coming back. I’ll be changing the locks and putting the place up for sale. I’d love it if you would stay on to oversee things during the process, but I understand if you need to find another job.”
“I don’t know what my plans are just yet, but I’m happy to help you