I hand him off as I answer, “I have no idea why you’d think I know about a sister. I’ve never even met my father.”
“Oh.” A sharp intake of breath and then rushed words. “Anyway, Cassie keeps asking about our family. I don’t really have any to speak of. I hoped maybe you’d want to meet her.”
I pull in a deep breath, my brain scattering in twenty directions. “Wow. I mean, I didn’t even know my dad had other kids. This is—”
“A lot, I know. I’m sorry. I didn’t know what else to tell her.”
What do I do? What am I supposed to say? What’s the appropriate answer for this?
“Listen, I’m in the middle of something right now. Can I call you back sometime? Give me time to digest this?”
“Of course. I caught you off guard.”
“No, it’s all right. I need a bit of time, but I’ll call you.”
“Okay. I look forward to it.”
I swipe my finger across the screen, ending the call.
So my father did it again.
Deadbeat asshat.
Danny’s bike winds up as it buzzes down the half mile driveway. Good. He’s gone.
I grab my towel and head to the pool. I’ve managed to avoid him for the better part of a week. No telling where he’s going on a Thursday afternoon, but I’m off to enjoy a cool swim.
He’s got some nerve to tell me not to use the pool.
Well, screw you, Danny Jennings. You can suck it.
The idea of Danny sucking anything sends a thrill through me, especially when I think about what happened the last time I saw him. Okay. He probably can suck it and lick it—and do it very well. Still, I’ll use the pool if I want.
I spread my towel on the lounge chair, and then pull off my T-shirt and shorts. My bikini is from year-before-last, so it’s a little small. Somehow, my boobs have gotten bigger over the last couple of years.
Oh well, I can’t buy something new when what I have will do. No one’s going to see me anyway. It’s after five, so Laney, the housekeeper, has gone for the day and the gardener is only here Monday through Wednesday.
I slice through the water, letting it wash over me. This time of year, the pool is more like a warm bath than anything, but it’s big and wet, therefore it’s perfect. I do ten laps, mulling over my dad, Cassie—meeting Cassie, the sister I didn’t know I had. Well, whether or not I should meet her.
Why the man would father more children, knowing he didn’t want to be a dad, is beyond me. What’s wrong with him? Isn’t abandoning one kid enough?
I come up after my last lap, chest heaving.
I prop my elbows on the side of the pool and wipe my eyes.
Feet.
His feet.
He stares down on me.
I swipe the water away from my mouth. “Well, there goes my lovely swim.”
Danny’s one eyebrow quirks. “I told you not to use the pool.”
“Because you’re an A-hole.”
His chuckle tightens my gut and my fists.
I frown. “What are you laughing at?”
“You.”
“What’s so funny now?”
“You can get yourself off in the backyard, but you can’t say ass? Can you say damn or hell? Oh, and I bet fuck is definitely not in your vocabulary, is it?”
I straighten my back and move to the steps, climbing from the water with as much dignity as I can muster.
“Out of respect for everything your family has done for me, I try to conduct myself in a manner that won’t embarrass your parents. I choose not to use those words.”
He wraps my shoulders with my towel. “Well, it’s silly. No one cares what words you use. You need to loosen up. Live a little. You need to do something wild every day. Though I admit, you lived it up last Sunday.”
I expel an exasperated sigh. “I knew you wouldn’t let me live that down. I’m going to hear about the other day for the rest of my life, aren’t I? You can’t be a gentleman and not say anything, can you?”
His arms come around me as he looks into my eyes. “Fuck no I’m not going to let you forget it. I sure as hell won’t forget.”
“Of course, you won’t. I’ll be shamed forever because of one stupid mistake.”
He tightens his hold when I try to escape. “What’s to be ashamed of? And why would you want to forget? That was one of the hottest experiences of my life, outside of actual sex. Come to think of it, it was hotter than some of the sex I’ve had.”
What I wouldn’t give to melt into oblivion right now. I drop my chin to my chest, unable to even look at him.
Danny sits on the lounger, pulling me into his lap. He kisses my temple. “Mo, you have nothing to be ashamed of. I’m not. We had a mutual moment of pleasure. Big deal. It was good. It was hot. It makes me want you more every time I think about it—and I’ve thought about it a lot.”