Filed to story: Falling for My Ex's Mafia Dad Novel Free PDF (Fay Alden & Kent Lippert)
Kent sighs and stops petting me, instead wrapping his arms loosely around me and pulling me forward so that I lean against his chest. “Even if you are being paranoid, Fay,” he murmurs into my hair. “That’s your job now. You’re in charge you have to follow these instincts, get to the bottom of everything. If Jerome comes out clean, it will only make you trust him more for passing your test, though he and Daniel might resent you asking these questions.”
I sigh, hating that idea I love them so much, I don’t want them disappointed.
I’m quiet for a long moment, nestled against Kent, thinking. And then I come up with a great idea.
“Well,” I say, my voice soft and bright now. “Can you do it for me?”
“What?” Kent asks, his arms tightening a little.
“You can ask,” I say, sitting up a little and grinning at him, my face close to his. “And not tell him I asked you to. Come on, isn’t this a perk I get for carrying your child? Just a little favor?”
Kent growls, his eyes narrowing. “You can’t use that for everything, Fay,” he murmurs.
“Sure I can,” I say, my grin growing now. Kent laughs a little and I press a quick kiss to his mouth.
“This is dangerous,” he sighs. “This is precisely why I didn’t let myself get close to women I don’t want to be obliged to do your dirty work ”
“Ohhh,” I say, dismissive, “it isn’t dirty work, Kent! Just, you know, a little chat.”
He snarls now, playfully, his arms tightening as he twists me to the side so that I’m laying back in his arms and he looms over me, which I know he prefers. I bite my lip as I look up at my sexy mafia boss, because I like it too. Very, very much.
“I’m done having your prescribed chats,” he growls, bringing his face close to mine.
“Fine,” I say, starting to run my fingers through his hair. “Just you know, whenever you have a minute. Have a little chat with Jerome, please, and see where it takes you. And don’t tell him I’m behind it.”
“And what do I get,” Kent murmurs, dipping his head and kissing my jaw, and then my neck. “In return for this favor?”
But I don’t bother to answer as my back arches, pressing me closer against him. Kent lifts his head and a little moan slips from my lips before I press my mouth to his.
Because, quite frankly, we both know that Kent’s going to give me whatever I want.
And that I have my own very particular ways of thanking him.
Later that evening, before dinner, I walk around the ship looking for Jerome. A big smile breaks onto my face when I find him, finally, out on the deck with Daniel by his side, quietly chatting and watching the sunset.
But when Daniel turns to me with a frown on his face, my smile drops away and I bite my lip, suddenly worried.
“Ignore him,” Jerome says, laughing. “He’s feeling extra defensive because someone got him morning drunk, and then someone else kept him going all day.”
“You better ‘poligize to ‘Romey,” Daniel says, pointing a finger at me.
I burst into laughter then, quickly crossing and wrapping my arms around Daniel’s waist. “That’s what I came to do!” I promise, grinning up at him. “But, um, do I owe you an apology too?”
“Yup,” Daniel says, giving me an exaggerated nod. “You made me have a really weird talk with my dad. About Johnny Depp.”
“What?” I ask, baffled but pleased.
“I’ll fill you in,” Jerome sighs, putting a hand out to me, which I take. “Danny,” he says, nodding towards the lounge chairs, “go lay down for a second. I’ll be over in a little bit.”
Daniel narrows his eyes at Jerome now. “Don’t boss me ’round,” he mutters, but he does as Jerome suggests, walking over to the lounge chairs and flopping down in one, closing his eyes peacefully.
“Where’s Janeen?” I ask, smiling a little, my eyes still on Daniel, who I’m pretty sure is already almost asleep. “Is she in just as bad shape?”
“Worse,” Jerome says, laughing. “She went to bed an hour ago.”
“Oh my god,” I say, shaking my head. “They’re going to regret it tomorrow.”
“I know,” Jerome says, giving my hand a little squeeze. “Which is a shame, because tomorrow we’ll reach Europe. And they’ll be all hungover.”
“Really?” I ask, my eyes going wide as I look up at him. “So soon?”
“It’s been a long time at sea, Fay,” Jerome says, grinning at me. “I mean, I know you’ve been distracted, but yeah, we’re really almost there.”
“But we’re not…” I frown, confused.
“Yes,” Jerome says, confirming my thoughts. “We still have to pass into the Mediterranean and get to where we’re going but,” he shrugs, pleased, “we should start to be able to see land, which will be exciting after,” he gestures out towards the expanse of blue Atlantic stretching out before us, “days of nothing.”
“Aw,” I say, turning towards the sea and leaning against the rail, admiring it. “I’ll kind of miss it. It’s been peaceful.”
“It’s been dull,” Jerome says, turning with me. “I can’t wait to see Europe something new.”
I nod and grin up at him before my expression drops into something more serious. “I’m sorry, Jerome,” I say, taking a step closer to him. “Really, I am. It wasn’t right for me to ”
“Nah, Fay,” he says, shaking his head at me and dropping my hand to wrap his arm warmly around my shoulders. “I over-reacted. I was too sensitive. I know I upset you, and I’m sorry. Me and you we didn’t say anything we’re not willing to take back, right? We’re good?”
“We are,” I insist, suddenly feeling a little bad for urging Kent to ask Jerome more questions. But…well, I don’t really intend to tell Kent not to do it. So, I guess it’s just a guilt I’m going to live with. “We really are, Jerome. I love you and I trust you, I don’t want you to ever doubt that.”
“Me neither, Fay,” he says, resting his head against mine. “Let’s move on from it, right? Focus on the future.”
“On the future,” I say, looking out at sea and admiring the way the sunlight dances across the water. “Which, apparently starts tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow it starts,” Jerome confirms, nodding. “But the next day? That’s the big one.”
Early in the morning two days later, before the sun even comes up, I roll over in bed and kiss Kent gently on the shoulder.
“Kent,” I whisper, loud enough that I know it will wake him. “Kent, wake up.”
He blinks a little, frowning, and then presses his eyes further shut. “No,” he grumbles, turning away from me.
“Kent!” I say, laughing and placing a hand on his shoulder to gently shake him. “Come on! I want to go up and see it!”
“No, go away,” he mumbles. “I hate you. Let me sleep.” He turns over onto his stomach and buries his face in his pillow.
This just makes me laugh harder. I sit up now, eagerly grabbing his arm and trying to pull him back over and wake him up. “Kent!” I hiss. “You have to! If I go up alone I’m going to be seduced by a sailor, or kidnapped, or ”
“Good,” he mutters. “Then I’ll get some sleep.”
I smack him on the arm then, but I’m still laughing because I know that if any of that was a reality? Kent would be wide away, his fist already cocked.
Kent sighs, turning over and looking up at me. “You’re really not going to let me get out of this, are you?”