The fact is, these two know all too well that I can’t say no to them.
Not even if they ask me for the impossible.
So I try to keep my scathing remarks to a minimum as I watch him effortlessly bewitch my girls.
I’m going to unmask this psychopath so they’ll see him for his true self, even if it’s the last thing I do.
After dinner, they show him around the house, play a board game. Not only does he subtly lose like some chivalrous bastard, but he also welcomes and answers any questions Kim has for him.
My wife is officially a lost cause when it comes to this Jeremy. Maybe he brought some mojo with him and put it in her drink.
That’s the only explanation for why she’s fawning over him when she’s never been a big fan of Cecily being in relationships.
She stays by his side until I nearly throw her over my shoulder and take her to our bedroom.
But first, I escort the wanker to his room because, despite my objections, he’s spending the night. Kim said it’s nonsense to send him to a hotel when we have plenty of space, and that traitor Cecily naturally agreed.
So I had the housekeeper put his backpack in the farthest room from Cecily.
He steps inside ahead of me, casting a fleeting glance at the place before he looks at me. “Thank you for your hospitality.”
“I’d rather you were on the streets, so let’s spare each other the bullshit.”
He physically forces his body to relax, and I know there’s forcing involved, because he’s always stood like an erect wall.
“I understand that you find it hard to accept me, considering your tight relationship with Cecily, but I mean her no harm, so for her sake, can we compromise?”
“I’ll compromise you to hell is what I’ll do.” I make an ‘I’m watching you’ motion. “If I see you near my daughter’s room, I’ll bring my shotgun, loaded this time.”
He nods, and I start to leave but then slide back in. “I’m watching you, boy. Any funny business and you’re out, got it?”
“Yes, sir.”
I finally leave but remain in the hallway to test the arsehole. I even sit on the classical sofa at the end, across from his room, to keep an eye on him.
In fact, I don’t mind sleeping here tonight.
Yes, they’re probably at that stage in their relationship, which I don’t want to think about, but nothing will be happening under my bloody roof.
After some time of glaring at his closed door, I retrieve my phone and text in the group chat I have with my friends.
Xander: Cecily brought some fucker home.
Levi: I told you this day would happen. I lost Glyn to some arsehole, and now, you’re losing Cecy.
Xander: I didn’t lose her. By the time he leaves my house, he’ll be her ex-boyfriend.
Levi: That’s what I said, too, about Glyn’s tool of a boyfriend, but he’s more pasted to her side than superglue.
Aiden: The fuck is wrong with you two? It’s time to stop treating your girls like they’re nine-year-olds.
Levi: No daughter. No opinion.
Cole: What Captain said, King.
Aiden: I’m here with the popcorn for the double trouble both your daughters will bring you, Nash.
Cole: There will be no trouble if you keep Eli away from my Ava. One of these days, I’ll get something on him. I have people working on it.
Aiden: Good luck trying, you poor cunt.
Xander: Hello? I’m telling you that I’m losing my daughter, and her mother, too, since she’s team arsehole, and you’re joking?
Ronan: Wait a fucking minute. Cecy is really not going to be my daughter-in-law? Aw, I thought she was always meant to be with Remi.
Levi: No ‘one’ is meant to be with Remi. He needs a harem.
Xander: The Remi who fucks every girl in a skirt like his father once upon a time? No, thanks.
Ronan: Don’t act high and mighty when you were the same, Xan.
Cole: He was not.
Aiden: Yeah, Astor. Remember that human rights violation case? Oh, wait, you were the last to know.
Ronan: Very funny. Not. I’m still revoking friendship rights for that.
Levi: My condolences, Xan. It’ll only get worse going forward.
Like fuck it will.
I’m about to reply back before the chat is buried in Ronan’s dramatics when I feel a soft, warming presence.
Kim sits beside me, a dark green sleeping robe tied around her middle and her hair falling to her shoulders. “You’re not going to sleep?”
“I’ll do it right here, so the little twat doesn’t try anything funny.”
“Oh, Xan.” She strokes my cheek. “You need to let her go. She’s not so little or under your protection anymore.”
“She’ll always be under my protection.”
“Okay, okay, she will. But you must let her fall in love and do what she wants. Our baby is a responsible adult, and we need to trust her choice.”
“That wasn’t what you said about Jonah. I don’t understand how you can change your mind like this.”
“Jonah was a fucker who’s locked up for it.” Her voice hardens before it lowers to her usual melodic tone. “Jeremy is the man who helped Cecily fight her demons.”
“What demons?”
“You’re well aware of how much she changed after secondary school. She hasn’t laughed this openly or smiled this freely in a long time. Our dads even suggested we take her to therapy due to her zoning out episodes, but she refused and waved us off. We should be glad that she found someone who can help her heal.”
“You and I could’ve done that just fine.”
“Sometimes, we’re not enough, and that’s okay, Xan. Letting her go is okay.”
I close my eyes and release a long sigh. “I don’t know how. It took so much in me to even let her study at a faraway university and now this. It’s like we’re losing her.”
“We’re not. We’re just letting her spread her wings and be her own person.” She kisses my cheeks. “Besides, we’ll always have each other.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure, considering how the bastard easily seduced you.”
“Aw, are you jealous of a twenty-four-year-old who happens to be your daughter’s boyfriend?”
I wrap my arm around her waist and she gasps as I slam her to my side. “You know I don’t like it when you’re close to any other man.”
“Aside from our dads and Kir.”
“Even they get on my nerves when they confiscate your time.”
“Xan!” She laughs, running her fingers over my stubbled chin. “You will never change, will you?”
“Not in this lifetime, Green.”
“Good. Because I love you just the way you are.”
I groan, each of her touches causing a zip of pleasure that ends in my cock.
“If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’re seducing me to distract me from the unwanted presence under our roof.”
She bites her lower lip and brushes a kiss against my mouth, then whispers, “Is it working?”
“You know it is.”
“Then what are you waiting for?” She leans over, her voice dropping to a seductive drawl. “Take me to our bedroom, husband.”
“You’re killing me, Green.”
I fall straight into her trap and carry her to bed. Not only will I never be able to resist this woman, but I’ll also never get enough of her.
Even though I still can’t come to terms with losing my daughter, Kim will eventually make me see reason.