Gorgeous Daddy(2)

Bruce’s expression shifted back to polite dad mode in an instant, but there was still heat in his eyes when he looked at me.

“Better get back to her,” he said softly.

The rest of the evening passed in a warm blur of laughter, more snacks and Anna showing me her massive book collection. But the moment I checked my phone and realized how late it was, Anna’s face immediately turned pleading.

“Nooo, don’t go yet!” she whined, grabbing my arm as I stood up. “You just got here. When are you coming again? Next week? Tomorrow? Please say you’ll come back soon. I finally have a friend who gets me.”

I laughed, hugging her. “I’ll come back, I promise. This was really fun.”

As we walked downstairs together, Bruce was already waiting near the front door, car keys in his hand. He offered to drop me off since it was getting dark.

Anna lit up with another idea right before I stepped outside.

“Wait! This weekend is my 18th birthday. We’re doing a small dinner at home, it's just me, Dad and now you. Please say you’ll come, Mira. It’ll be boring with just the two of us. I want you there.”

My heart did a little flip. Just the three of us. Meaning more time around Bruce.

I tried to sound casual. “Your birthday? Of course I’ll come. I would love to.”

Anna squealed and hugged me tightly. “Yesss! Saturday night, 7pm. Don’t be late.”

Bruce’s eyes met mine over Anna’s shoulder. That slow, subtle smile was back, the one that made my stomach tighten.

“Looking forward to it, Mira,” he said, voice low and warm. “I’ll make sure it’s a night to remember.”

The way he said it sent a shiver down my spine. Not in a creepy way… but definitely not in a purely innocent dad way either.

---

The car ride home was quiet at first. Anna had stayed behind, so it was just me and Bruce. The interior smelled like his cologne and the low hum of the engine filled the silence. I kept my hands folded in my lap, trying not to stare at the way his fingers gripped the steering wheel or how the streetlights caught the sharp line of his jaw.

“You really made her happy today,” he said eventually, glancing over at me. “She doesn’t bring friends home often. You’re… different.”

I smiled shyly. “She’s great. We clicked right away.”

He nodded, then added, almost under his breath, “I can see why.”

The rest of the ride he asked about my studies, my favorite books, what I wanted to do after college, normal questions. But every answer I gave, he listened like it genuinely mattered. When he pulled up in front of my place, he turned to face me fully.

“Saturday at seven,” he reminded me. “I’ll come pick you up if you want.”

“That would be nice,” I said, my voice softer than I meant it to be.

He reached over and gently brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. The touch was light, but it sent electricity straight through me.

“Goodnight, Mira.”

“Goodnight, Bruce.”

I practically floated inside after he drove off.

When I stepped inside the house, I was still grinning from ear to ear, my cheeks warm and my mind replaying every lingering look Bruce had given me in the car. That gentle brush of his fingers against my ear felt burned into my skin.

“Seemed like you enjoyed yourself,” my mom said from the living room couch, one eyebrow raised and a knowing smirk on her face. She was sipping tea, watching me like she could read every filthy thought I had that evening.

I froze for half a second. “It was… really nice. Anna’s dad is super cool.”

“Uh-huh. her dad?” Mom laughed softly, shaking her head. “You’ve got that dreamy look again. Go on, get some rest before you float away.”

I laughed it off and hurried upstairs, but the second my bedroom door clicked shut, I leaned against it and let out a long, shaky breath. My heart was still racing.

I flopped onto my bed, staring at the ceiling, but all I could see was Bruce, those strong forearms, the deep timbre of his voice saying my name, the way his eyes had darkened when he looked at me in the hallway. I bit my lip, letting my imagination run wild.

What if his hand had lingered longer on my hair? What if, instead of pulling away when Anna called, he’d stepped even closer and whispered something filthy in my ear? What if during that birthday dinner it was just the three of us… and Anna went to bed early?

Heat pooled low in my belly. I rolled over and grabbed my phone, scrolling through nothing in particular just to distract myself but It didn’t work.

Saturday felt like forever away.

I jumped up and threw open my closet, pulling out dresses one after another. Nothing felt right. It felt too casual, too formal or too safe.

I tried on a soft, fitted black dress that hugged my curves and stopped mid-thigh. Standing in front of the mirror, I turned slowly, imagining Bruce’s eyes on me. Would he like this? Would his gaze drop to my legs? My chest?

I swapped it for a deep emerald green one with a modest neckline but a low back. The color made my skin glow. I twisted to check the back in the mirror, picturing his large hand resting there, warm against my bare skin as he guided me to the table.

Another outfit, a silky burgundy blouse and a pencil skirt that made my waist look tiny. I practiced bending over slightly, pretending to reach for something on the table, wondering if he would stare.

I spent nearly an hour like that, changing, posing, fantasizing. Every version ended the same way in my head…Bruce pulling me aside when Anna wasn’t looking, pressing me against the wall, his mouth on my neck, his voice rough as he told me how long he’d been thinking about me.

By the time I finally collapsed back onto my bed in just a tank top and shorts, I was breathless and aching with anticipation.

I couldn’t wait for that day.

The week dragged by in slow, torturous minutes. Anna texted me almost every day, excited about her birthday. I replied normally, but my mind was elsewhere…on her dad.