Wild Forces: A Friends to Lovers Romance (O-Town Book 2) by Karen Renee (inspirational novels .txt) 📗

He smiled and started to answer, but Cassie gasped, which diverted his attention.

She nearly cracked my knuckles with how hard she squeezed my hand. “‘Dad’? And you didn’t let me change first?”

“No, I needed you to get the steak out, so Dad can eat with us.”

“Steak, huh? Sounds like I picked a great night to drop by.”

“Come on in, Dad. This is Cassandra Daughtry. Cassie, this is my Dad, Warren Sullivan.”

Cassie smiled and shook his hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Sullivan.”

“Warren, dear. Please call me Warren. I’ve heard so much about you, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

“Thank you. Gabe, you’re going to need another potato in the oven, too.”

“You’re right, baby. Let’s do that, and —”

“Gabe. I can put my potato in the oven. That way Cassandra can change if that makes her more comfortable.”

Cassie shot me a look and I almost laughed.

“Right you are, Dad. I’ll get your steak on the grill while you do that.”

Twenty minutes later, the three of us sat down to eat. Cassie seemed more comfortable around my father, but then, she was wearing her shorts and t-shirt instead of my button-up.

“So, Cassandra, Gabe tells me you’re working on an MBA. How long before you finish?”

She swallowed a sip of her wine. “I should be finished in the spring if everything goes well the next two semesters.”

Dad arched a brow at me. “She’ll have two degrees before you’ve finished one.”

Cassie chuckled. “You never know, now that he’s declared a major, he might finish up pretty quick.”

“So, Dad, what brings you by tonight?”

He speared the last piece of broccoli on his plate. “Heard you and Brock had lunch with your mother. I was impressed, and thought I’d share that in person.”

I sighed. “No need to be impressed, Dad.”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. The way Brock tells it, you didn’t make things worse when he was being hard on her.”

I shook my head. “I didn’t. He told me to be nice before we met with her, but then he played the bad guy. Wouldn’t be right for both of us to do that.”

“Are you meeting with a lawyer about the money?” Cassie asked.

“No. Apparently, the funds have already been distributed to her, and she’ll just have to wire us the money when we’re ready.”

“You going to share your plans for this money, son?”

“Not yet. I will when I’m ready, Dad.”

He sighed. “I do wish you’d consult with someone about it first.”

“I offered to let my Dad or one of his partners look over his plans, but he’s feeling superstitious now,” Cassie said.

Dad gave her a look. “Your Dad? Wait, are you related to Johnny Daughtry?”

Her brows furrowed. “Do you know him? Most people call him J.P. but only people who really know him call him Johnny.”

Dad grinned. “I met him years ago when I was active in the Chamber of Commerce. We played golf a few times, but I haven’t spoken to him in over a decade.”

“Wow,” she whispered. Then she said, “Yeah, Dad hasn’t golfed in over five years. His back can’t take it anymore, he says.”

“Happens to the best of us,” Dad muttered, putting the broccoli in his mouth.

Cassie looked to my plate, and her eyes widened. “I can’t believe you haven’t inhaled your food like you normally do.”

I grinned. “Steak is meant to be savored, doll-face.”

“It’s good to know you listened to at least one thing I said over the years, Gabe,” Dad said, leaning back in his chair.

“Even though it appears you didn’t,” I goaded.

He shook his head. “No, I had no idea you had your girlfriend over, so not to be rude, but I’m trying to eat and run.”

Cassie’s eyes shot to Dad. “Mr. Sullivan, don’t do that.”

He smiled at her. “It’s Warren, dear. But seriously, I should’ve called. You would think I’d have learned my lesson when I dropped in the last time.”

I chuckled. “That was pretty funny.”

Dad gave me a look. “I don’t think Cecilia found it very funny.”

I dipped my chin. “Women don’t find a lot of things funny that they should.”

Dad closed his eyes and shook his head. “My boy, you’re gonna get yourself in some hot water.”

“Don’t worry, Mr... er, I mean, Warren. I know about Gabe’s warped sense of humor.”

After finishing his water, Dad took his plate to the sink.

As he made his way to the door, he said, “Cassandra, after hearing so much about you, it was an honor to meet you. Tell Johnny that Warren says hello.”

23Finding My Limits

Cassie

WHEN WE FINISHED EATING, I helped Gabe load the dishwasher. He headed out to the grill to clean it, and I found my sandals. By the time I had my purse, Gabe came back inside.

“Where the hell do you think you’re goin’?”

“Gabe, I’m pretty sure Cecilia and Brock will be home soon.”

“None of that tells me where you’re goin’.”

I put a hand on my hip. “I’m going to my place.”

“Nope.”

I stared at him. “What do you mean, ‘nope’?”

“I mean, you’re spending the night here tonight.”

My head tilted. “And you didn’t think to include that in your text earlier?”

He shrugged one shoulder. “Doesn’t matter. You’re stayin’ here.”

I squinted an eye at him. “Why so bossy?”

“Not bossy, it’s just how it is. I want to sleep in my bed tonight. Yours is okay, but I’m thinkin’ mine is better.”

I exhaled slowly. “That sounds remarkably close to bullshit, Gabe.”

He stalked to me. “Honey, it’s not like your apartment is across town. I’ll set an alarm, and you can do all your morning stuff at your place.”

“So, you’re bed comparing? Have I got that right?”

His lips tipped up. “Essentially.”

My eyes narrowed. “What does that mean?”

“Means I love you, you love me, and now that I’ve tapped into your kinky side, I want to find out where your limits are.”

My eyes widened. “‘Limits?’ What are you—”

He kissed me quiet, damn him. Just as I was getting into it, he pulled away.

“Ever been tied up?”

I shook my head.

He grinned. “Well, we can