Spotlight by Eden Finley Page 0,80

do that?”

“Do what?”

“Reassure me that I’m not fucking up her entire life.”

My lips ghost along his neck. “Far from it.”

He rolls his hips, rubbing his ass against my hardening cock, and moans. “Do you always do this to your dates?”

“What’s that?”

“Distract them with your body before you’ve eaten dinner?”

I laugh, my hot breath landing on his skin, and he shudders.

I step back. “Sorry. I’ll let you get back to it.”

Ryder picks up the knife and points it at me. “After dinner, your body is mine.”

I go back to my seat and take a sip of my wine. “All yours.”

In more ways than one.

Now’s not the time to freak him out with that, though. I have to give him at least a month to get used to the idea of having something serious with me.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Ryder

It takes weeks of waking up next to Lyric as many times as possible, wrapped around him and practically smothering him, to realize I really am a cuddler.

I can’t get enough of him, and when he’s gone, his side of the bed is too cold and empty.

Right now, his golden hair is splayed over his pillow, and he’s smiling even while he’s sleeping.

He’s been staying over more often than going to his own place, and I think half my wardrobe is now sitting on the floor of his brother’s pool house.

He’s terrible at returning the clothes he borrows, but I couldn’t care less.

That’ll probably change when I run out of clothes, but for now, I have him in my bed at least three nights a week, sometimes four.

It’s a miracle we haven’t been caught by my very inquisitive daughter, but with Maggie coming home permanently, Kaylee’s no longer having nightmares, and I think she’s finally—finally—moving out of the bed-wetting stage as it’s becoming a rare occurrence.

I have no idea what time it is, but I know we won’t have time to fool around before Kaylee wakes up, so I slip out of bed to let Lyric sleep a bit more.

Today’s going to be a hectic day because I’m now officially the father of a five-year-old.

When the fuck did that happen?

I swear it was yesterday she was crawling around backstage and sucking on microphone cables.

Parent of the year, right here.

I wander through the house slowly, trying to wake up for the day. Kaylee’s bedroom is quiet as I walk by, so I assume she must be sleeping.

Only, when I get downstairs and go into the playroom, I realize I was wrong because Kaylee is sitting in the middle of the floor watching cartoons on TV.

“How long have you been awake?”

“Since it was dark out!” She’s way too excited about that.

Great. We’re going to be filling up a tired five-year-old with sugar all day. That’s not a recipe for disaster or anything.

“Excited about your birthday?”

Her face splits with a big smile. “It’s my first birthday with friends. And Mommy!”

Ugh, how she’s gone five years without any kid friends is a little sad. Hello guilt, we meet again.

Over the last five years, Maggie has always managed to see Kaylee around her birthday, but she’s never been here for the actual day. It’s not like she had a choice in that, though. Even her discharge is taking longer than expected, but I know her flight arrives early this morning, and she’ll be here before we leave for Kaylee’s party.

“I guess I should start making some food to take to the playground today.”

Lyric and I got a lot of it done last night, but we have to do last-minute things.

“Yes, you should.”

I know I shouldn’t laugh at her tone, but I can’t stop it. “Okay, Miss Bossy Pants. Why don’t you go pick out what you’re going to wear?”

“I already know.” She gets up and runs over to her dress-up box, and I know she’s going to pull out an Elsa dress.

I get most of the stuff done for the party before Lyric even wakes. When he does make his way downstairs, he’s in another shirt and jeans of mine, and I have to remind myself I’m determined to keep our relationship from Kaylee. I’m sure there’s a good reason for her not to find out, but I really can’t remember when all I want to do is kiss him good morning.

As if sensing my thoughts, he approaches, glances over my head at Kaylee, and then plants a kiss on my cheek.

“She isn’t watching,” he whispers.

It’s as quick as that. He steps back and looks around at everything I’ve already accomplished.

“You