Page 86 of Daddy's Pride

"You should. Cranky Trini is not pretty. And you're back to work and school tomorrow." She lunged forward and blew a loud raspberry on my forehead. I batted her away and she bounced off my bed, and ran from the room.

As my phone chimed, I twisted to grab it from my nightstand. Unlocking the display, I saw Rogue's name, and smiled as I clicked on the message.

Rogue: Couldn't sleep. Wished I'd talked you into coming home with me.

My thumbs hovered over the screen, but another text popped up. Even as I rolled my eyes, I grinned as I read what they wrote.

Rogue: Don't freak out so much. I know that beautiful brain is trying. Text me after you've processed.

They think they're so damn smart. I hated they were right, though.

Me: Couldn't sleep either. Getting ready for a nap. I had a great night.

Great, that was a bit of an understatement. Not only had I never had as much fun before, but I'd also learned that I had no idea what my body was capable of. That was both addictive and scary. I sent a quick text to tell Rogue to get some rest and I'd talk to them later.

They told me to text them after I processed. I wanted more dates—I just wanted more. Did I have the bravery to let everything go and let Rogue in? Only time would tell. First, though, sleep.

Chapter 10

Rogue

Lying in the middle of the dance floor, I stared at the ceiling and watched the strobe of the lights as music vibrated the floor beneath me. There was still hours before opening, but I hadn't been able to sit still. Only a few days had passed since my date with Trinity. We shared some texts, even before-bedtime calls. I understood she was busy with work and school, so I hadn't pushed to make plans for the second, or in my mind, third, date.

She'd been overwhelmed; I'd sensed it as I'd kept pushing her higher. At every point of our first real intimacy, I'd established consent. Trinity had missed out on a lot when it came to relationships—dating. I needed her to experience everything she'd lacked before. Patience wasn't my strong suit, I knew that, and readily admitted that was one of my faults.

The second I'd spotted her, my gut said she was meant to be mine. I wanted to spoil her. Show her what she should demand from a partner. What it meant to be someone's priority. Hell, I needed her to feel safe and secure. I'd learned how to treat my person by watching Bruiser. The way he allowed my mother to blossom. Being that for Trinity would be a dream come true.

Patience. I repeated the word inside my head.

"What the hell are you doing here so early?" Gigi asked as she came into my field of vision and stared down at me.

She was already in her bartending outfit, completely decked out in her wig and makeup. Gerald—aka Gigi had known me way too long, and she was just waiting to call me on my shit. Gigi would smell blood in the water.

"What are you doing here early?" I asked in an attempt to deflect.

"I thought I'd married a mature, stoic man, instead I have a feral husband and three equally insane children."

I snorted and earned a glare. Thomas Blake was a powerful businessman in impeccable three-piece suits. At least that's what Gigi had thought when she'd literally bumped into the single dad one night. A decade later, Gigi lived with four daredevils and thanked the Gods every day that her husband had really good health insurance.

"What did they do this time?"

"What I thought was a water balloon fight was actually balloons filled with paint. Goddamn, if that man wasn't as sexy as he is, I'd have divorced him already."

"You knew the man was crazy after he took you to a rage room for your first date."

Gigi let out a gruff sigh. "I know, but our boys were so cute. Now, they’re teenagers and I've lost count of scars and stitches at this point. At least they clean up after themselves. So, since you failed to sidetrack me, what are you doing here already?"

"The walls were kinda closing in around me," I answered as I tightened my abs and sat up, then got to my feet.

"Trinity still hasn't agreed to another date?" Gigi asked as I followed her to the bar. She ducked under the apron as I took a seat on my usual barstool.

"No, I mean…" I rested my forearms on the glossy bar. "We've been talking and texting. She's got school and work, I get it."

"Rogue, you're not known for your impulse control sometimes."

"I know, Gigi, I know." I groaned. "I keep mentally reminding myself to be patient."

"The date went well, though, right?" Gigi leaned on the bar across from me, mirroring my pose.