Torrid Rush: A Single Dad Romance (Bad Boy Studs Book 3)

by Scarlett Avery

  I cock my head to the side and stare at her in amazement. Did she even take a breath? I haven’t had time to close the door, but already she’s bombarding me with questions.

  “Whoa, calm down,” I say, lifting a hand.

  “You must be kidding me. Two and a half years, zippo. One StreamTunes Award show later, and you’re dating a fucking hot rock star? It’s a pretty big flipping deal! The time to remain calm has passed, girlfriend. This is serious business.”

  I laugh.

  “It’s only one date,” I tell her, doing my best to stay levelheaded.

  Or at least I desperately try to.

  “Wash your mouth out with soap. This is LA, aka the land of endless opportunities. How many guys—a musician to boot—fuck you first—I guess it’s really twice—”

  “It’s more like eight times,” I correct.

  She rolls her eyes at me. “As I was saying, after all the fucking, he then asks you out on a proper date. That’s unheard of. That, my friend, is class all the way.”

  “I’m pretty excited.”

  “That’s what I’m talking about. Finally!”

  “I can’t believe you drove all the way to my place just for this.”

  I expect a smart comeback, but my cousin surprises me.

  She places her hands on my shoulders. “I’m really happy for you, cuz.” Her tone is as warm as a hug.

  “Thanks. It took me a while––”

  “Who cares? He was worth waiting for.”

  “I couldn’t agree with you more.”

  “Where are you guys going?” she repeats.

  “He said, I’m in store for a lot of fun. He won’t reveal more.”

  “I like that about him. He’s put some thought into it. It’s not a wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am job or a predictable dinner just to trick you into sleeping with him again,” she nods with pursed lips. “Have you decided on fashion?”

  “I have. Come on,” I wave. “I’ll show you. I have to finish getting ready. He’ll be here in half an hour.”

  She follows me to my bedroom.

  “I had a different look in mind, but I could only see Skylar’s frowning face as she shakes her head disapprovingly. So I went with Plan B,” I say, pointing to the bed.

  “Perfect! Love it! Absolutely love it!” Ainsley claps.

  I opted for a feminine V-neck blue-green sleeveless top with a delicate ruffle that runs at the front. I decided to go for a pair of the vintage washed jeans that hang low and since Holt is a strapping man and I’m this short little thing, I’ll wear a pair of brown platform sandals with a blue-green accent.

  “I thought casual-chic was the way to go.”

  “You nailed it, Everly.” I beam. “All right, now you have to tell me how this all came about.”

  Over the next few minutes, I tell Ainsley everything while I finish my makeup and hair.

  “A former rocker sex god, single dad, loving father, hot, and he has blue eyes? Damn, this guy is perfect.”

  “This is such a thrill for me, but I’m still careful.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You said it yourself. He’s a former rocker and this is LA. I want to avoid a massive wake-up call. Men can slip in and out of women’s beds without leaving their hearts behind and some women excel at it as well, but I’m not that woman. Look at you. You can fuck ’em and leave ’em over and over again.”

  “Not exactly.”

  Huh?

  “I thought you said you could fuck like a guy?”

  “I have a strict rule.”

  “Which is?”

  “Two fucks, max. Anything more and it’s too dangerous.”

  Now she tells me.

  “What about Jesse?”

  “He’s in a league of his own,” she blushes. “After the first time with him, I knew it was different.”

  Wow.

  “It’s a little late for me since I’m well past the two fucks mark.”

  Ainsley laughs.

  “I want to keep my emotions in check. There’s still this nagging feeling at the back of my mind that thinks guys like Holt can’t offer more. Maybe this is just a convenient fuck for him. If I play it cool, I won’t be devastated.”

  My cousin shakes her head vehemently.

  “What?” I ask.

  “Honey, it’s more than strictly a sex thing between you two. He came yesterday to your shop to make sure you were okay. He could’ve called or texted, but he didn’t. And, he had his daughter and dog in tow. He cares.”

  “He was taking her to ballet.”

  “Nonsense!” she snaps. “He could’ve dropped by while she was in class. He wanted to see you again. The daughter bit is amazing. What a sweet introduction.”

  I ponder her words.

  “Clearly you trust him enough to allow him to tie you up—I still can’t get over that,” she shakes her head, “no matter how daring, it was still purely physical. A few days ago, you shared a secret you had buried deep. Holt didn’t run away. He manned-up. And his kid likes you. I’d say you two have a good thing going on.”

  Leave it to Ainsley to be exceedingly insightful when you least expect it. Especially considering she’s never met the guy.

  “You like him. Just admit it,” she presses.

  “I do. It’s crazy, huh? I haven’t known him very long—”

  “It doesn’t have to be when it’s the right one.”

  I can’t help my grin.

  She approaches me and grabs my hands, linking them with hers. Her piercing blue eyes sparkle with malice. “Mrs. Everly Reed Bickford-Smith Christensen,” she says in a solemn tone. “Or will it be Mrs. Christensen Bickford-Smith? You could go either way.”

  I explode in laughter. “You’re mental. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. One date hardly equates to walking down the aisle.”

  “It does have a nice ring to it.”

  A blush creeps up my face.

  It does, doesn’t it?

  CHAPTER 24

  Holt

  “Come on, girls,” I wave, dragging my child and my dog to my cousin’s door.

  “Okay,” Naomi grunts, hoisting her overnight bag over her shoulder.

  “Sure you don’t need any help?”

  “No, Daddy. I’m a big girl.”

  I chuckle.

  “Just checking.”

  “Luna’s toys are heavy,” she complains.

  “She could’ve played with her brother’s toys,” I remind her.

  “It’s not the same.”

  She kills me.

  I don’t even have time to reach the door when Jace flings it open.

  “If it isn’t sweet little Noni.”

  “Hello, Uncle Jace.”

  Luna barks.

  “Hey, Luna. No doggy fashion today?”

  “Thank God,” I say.

  Jace chuckles.

  He shifts his attention back to my daughter. “The bag is bigger than you are, girl,” he laughs. “Your daddy has some nerve letting you lift it on your own. Shame on you, Daddy,” he winks at me.

  “I can do it,” she giggles.

  “If you say so.”

  Jace squats so they’re at eye level before covering her sweet face with kisses.

  “Stop, Uncle Jace,” Naomi protests in between fits of laughter.

  “I can’t help it, you’re too cute. I just want to gobble you up.”

  She laughs hysterically.

  “All right. I got my Noni fix for the day,” Jace says, pulling away from her before straightening up. “Ready to spend the evening with us? It’s going to be fun.”

  “Yes! Where’s Ryder?”

  “He’s upstairs practicing his guitar. Mason is up there with him.”

  “Can I go up now, Daddy?”

  “Yes, you can—” She’s ready to spring off. “Where’s my goodbye kiss?” I ask.

  “Oh, yeah.”

  She turns on her heel.

  It’s my turn to squat.

  “Bye
, Daddy. Love you.”

  “I love you too, sweet pea.”

  Not willing to be left out, Luna jumps around in search of her own kisses. I can’t deny her.

  “Be good and listen to your uncle,” I tell Naomi.

  “I will.”

  “I’ll carry your bag inside, Jace says.”

  “Thank you, Uncle Jace.” She drops her load with a loud sigh.

  “Come on, Luna, let’s go play.”

  And she’s off dragging our Staffie with her.

  “Don’t run up the stairs!” I shout.

  “Okay, Daddy!” she shouts back.

  Jace and I laugh.

  “Thanks for doing this,” I tell Jace when it’s only the two of us.

  “No problem. It’s Mrs. Talbot’s day off and I’m just chilling at home. It works out well.” He takes a step back and frowns at me.

  “What?”

  “You look good.”

  “Like it’s news?”

  “Fuck off.”

  “Language. My daughter is in earshot.”

  He shakes his head and rolls his eyes.

  He takes a step closer, leans in and inhales deeply.

  “You’re wearing cologne.”

  “You’re done with your inspection?”

  “I’m just curious. You’re dressed to impress.”

  “Nothing wrong with looking my best.”

  He’s still unconvinced.

  “Unless things dramatically changed since I’ve been out of the game, there are no industry events on Sundays. And it’s not like you’re hanging out with your best friend since he’s on babysitting duty. What gives?”

  I let out a long sigh as I run my hand through my hair. I’m still unsure how much I’m willing to reveal.

  “Well?” he presses.

  “I’m meeting someone.”

  “You’re getting some… pussy?” he whispers.

  “That’s not what I said.”

  “I’m confused.”

  Ah, Jace.

  “I’m going out on a date.”

  His eyes widen like saucers. He even jerks his head back in surprise. “With a woman?”

  “No, with a giraffe. Of course, with a woman, you idiot.”

  “Is it someone I introduced you to?”

  “Jace, when are you going to get it? You and I don’t have the same taste in women.”

  “I was just trying to be helpful. You seemed stuck. I thought it was my duty to un-stuck you and make sure you…” his eyes drop to my crouch, “…got some action.”

  “I have one word for you, Kendra.”

  “Okay, I’ll concede, perhaps not my best match.”

  “It was a train wreck.”

  “But she looked hot enough to… fuck,” he defends. Once again, he uses his low Daddy voice.

  “It’s not enough for me. It was okay in our heydays as rock stars, but I’m well past those wild years. The bumbling idiot with the big DD cup silicone tits and duck lips to match becomes tiring. My taste has evolved. I need more substance.”

  “Substance, as in she isn’t much to look at?”

  “You need to start seeing different women,” I tell him.

  “I’m okay with the type of women I… fuck,” he retaliates. “They don’t expect more than what I have to offer.”

  “Good for you.”

  He curls his lips up in an unimpressed smile. “And you met this woman of substance on your own?”

  I ignore his snarkiness. “Yup, like a big boy.”

  “Wow.”

  He’s dumbfounded.

  “I’m spending the rest of the afternoon with a woman of substance who’s smart, funny, sassy and she’s hot as hell.”

  “Really?”

  “Really.”

  “She’s attractive?”

  “She’s crazy sexy and the best part is, she’s a natural beauty. How many times have we fucked women we meet at one of those industry events, just to realize she looks nothing like she did before the makeup wipes off?”

  “I guess so,” Jace says in a pensive way. “And this woman you’re meeting lives in LA?”

  “Yeah.”

  The look of confusion on his face doesn’t go unnoticed.

  He knits his eyebrows together. “You’re breaking your rule?”

  “You mean about either keeping it out of state or as far away from LA as possible?”

  “Yeah.”

  “She’s worth it.”

  “Shit.”

  I tell my cousin just enough, carefully leaving out the intimate moments I’ve shared with the cheeky baker.

  “Naomi met her?” Jace asks when I recount yesterday’s events.

  I nod.

  “Holy shit! That’s huge, Holt.”

  “It was just a casual meeting, but my baby girl seems to have warmed to Everly.”

  He shakes his head.

  “So where does it go from here?” he asks with a grave expression on his face. One you don’t see often.

  I inhale a deep breath. “I don’t know yet. What I do know is I like her and I like spending time with her. The fact she isn’t scared that I’m a single dad is bonus.”

  “Hmph. Interesting.”

  “What is?” I ask.

  “As far as Naomi is concerned, there’s never been a woman in your life… not even—”

  “Don’t ruin my Sunday.”

  CHAPTER 25

  Everly

  “What an evening,” I say.

  “You liked it?” Holt asks.

  “I’ve been telling you since we left.”

  “It was a gamble, but I thought it might be something you haven’t done in a while.”

  “You’re right. I can’t remember the last time I did anything like that.” He put so much thought into this. “Thank you.”

  “I’m glad you enjoyed yourself, precious.”

  “That’s putting it mildly. It was crazy fun. I had a few ten-year-olds give me the evil eye because I was laughing so hard.”

  My heart skipped a beat when I realized what Holt had planned for us. Our first date was off the beaten path. He took me to the LA Parksdale Fair for an exuberant afternoon. It was like being sixteen all over again. After hopping from one ride to another and eating too much fair food, he drives up to Mulholland Drive to one of his favorite hideaways in the city. Wow. From up here, we’re privy to a breathtaking view of LA and the San Fernando Valley. We can even see the iconic Hollywood sign from up here. Two and a half years later, and I’m still in awe every time I see it.

  “Sorry I chickened out on those scary rides,” I say. “It would be very unladylike of me to barf all over you on our first date.”

  We’re both sitting in his Range Rover stuffing our faces silly with chocolate and candy. Before the fair, Holt took me to The Yellow Brick Road—an LA gem that exclusively sells vintage chocolate and candy.

  “Don’t worry about it. I’m used to girly rides. I have a four-year-old, remember?” he grins.

  “Hey, watch it,” I swat his arm.

  “Seriously, today was about you.”

  This man.

  “I can’t believe I had to wait this long to discover this even exists.” My eyes are riveted on the big piece of chocolate. “Be still my cotton candy heart, Big Cherry, I think I love you,” I say dramatically before biting a morsel. God, this is amazing. “Oh, oops,” I say. I’m making a mess.

  “Yeah, the syrup is the surprise,” he says, scooping up the bit of sugary liquid running down my chin before bringing his fingers to his lips.

  The intimate act instinctively ignites something in me. The idea of him tying me up again sends a thrill through me. Damn, I love feeling vulnerable in his arms.

  I push the naughty thought aside.

  I catch his gaze and we both smile at each other.

  “My dad used to eat those like they were going out of style when he was a kid. He got my mom addicted to them, and when she was pregnant with me, she consistently asked him to make Big
Cherry runs when she had a craving. He was too happy to oblige,” Holt says.

  “That’s funny. Are both of your parents from LA?”

  “Yup. We go back many generations born right here in Cali. They still live in Brentwood. I drop off Naomi with them when I’m out of town.”

  I nod, chewing pensively. “It’s good you have some help other than your nanny. It can’t be easy doing it all on your own.”

  “That’s why we left London. We couldn’t find a nanny Luna trusted. I just thought she was being fussy since she was still a young pup, but it turned out my overprotective Staffie was right.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “A couple of the nannies who lasted only a few short days made the news. They fell through the cracks of the agency’s vetting system. The two women in question were each involved in horrible child abuse cases with other clients. I dodged a nasty bullet. Luna wouldn’t stop barking at them—even standing between Naomi and the nanny, refusing to budge, growling like a werewolf. As a result, both of them quit on me. Thank God. One of the abused kids was covered in marks and her left eye was so swollen she was temporarily blinded. It broke my heart. I’m so grateful to Luna.”

  “I can’t believe people can be such monsters,” I say.

  “You’d be surprised. It’s something you learn quickly as a parent. Mom and Dad were happy to see us move back home.”

  “At least your daughter is safe with family.”

  “My parents love her to death. The same for my brother and her uncles.”

  I nod again.

  I take another bite of my chocolate with more care this time.

  “Hmmm,” I hum, closing my eyes. “I just ate the cherry.”

  “Yeah. The Big Cherry is a fun treat.”

  “Everything I’ve tried so far is delicious. Having a favorite is impossible. I might have to set camp in front of the Yellow Brick Road’s door so I can try every piece of candy and chocolate in their shop,” I laugh.

  “We’ll have to go back then,” he smiles.

  I flash him a giddy grin.

  I like knowing there will be another time.

  “I’m totally up for it. It’s the ultimate for a sugar addict like myself.”