Chapter 11—Ryan

“Hey.” I peeked my head into Hannah’s room. She’d been locked up in here since she and Kennedy returned from the mall. I’d asked Kennedy if they’d had fun, and she’d said yes. But she’d been unusually quiet all afternoon. And Hannah hadn’t spoken to me, so I had no idea what was going on, but I needed to find out before I left for dinner.

“What’s up?” she said, not bothering to look at me.

I walked fully into her room and closed the door. “What’s going on?” I crossed my arms and leaned against the closed bedroom door.

“Nothing. Why?” She kept her gaze on her phone.

Crossing the room, I plucked the phone from her hand.

Finally, she looked up at me, eyes wide. “What the hell was that for?” she asked.

“Why are you acting like you’re pissed at me?” I set her phone on the nightstand and stared down at her. She’d changed out of her jeans and sweater and into a long nightshirt. I couldn’t help but wonder if she had panties on under that. I shifted on my feet, trying not to get an erection. But damn. It was impossible not to get hard when I was around her.

“I’m not pissed.” She shrugged and studied her fingernails, which were now painted a bright red.

“You’ve barely spoken to me since you got home.” Jesus, I sounded like a needy, whiny teenager. I shook my head. “If I did something to upset you, just tell me.”

She was silent a moment, and then she got on her knees, putting us eye level. “Okay, fine. I don’t think you’re going to tell Kennedy about us because I don’t think you want to. I think you’re perfectly happy to keep what happened a secret.”

Anger sparked in my chest, but I couldn’t get too mad. Hannah was kind of right—I really didn’t want to tell Kennedy. But not because I wanted to keep what happened a secret. I simply didn’t want to alienate my only daughter. “And what makes you think that?” I forced my voice to remain steady.

“It’s what you said in the kitchen this morning. When I asked you what happens if she doesn’t take the news well. You didn’t once try to tell me things would be okay. Or that we’d figure it out.” Her bottom lip trembled.

I dropped my arms to my sides and blew out a breath. She was right. Again. I hadn’t said any of those things to her. I didn’t want to give her false hope.

“You know what I’ve been through lately with Brendan and everything at college.” She climbed off the bed and stood in front of me. “And I’m sorry if I need a little reassurance.” She shrugged.

“Oh, Hannah.” My heart broke for the pain I saw on her face. “I’m sorry if I made you think I wasn’t going to tell Kennedy, or that I’d bail on you if she doesn’t take the news well.” I put my hands on her shoulders then dragged my palms down her arms. She had the softest skin, and I suddenly needed to feel her body against mine. It was a want so severe, I couldn’t think about anything else.

Yanking her to me, I crushed my mouth over hers, and she melted into me, her tongue greedily roaming over and around mine. She moaned, and my cock twitched. Reaching down, I grabbed the hem of her nightshirt. I broke the kiss just long enough to tear the shirt off over her head. And I was rewarded with creamy, bare skin. I groaned.

“I need you, Hannah.” I rubbed my thumbs over her nipples, and they hardened instantly. So did my dick. I was not getting out of this room until after I sank deep into her hot, wet, tight pussy. “I want you.”

She reached for the button on my jeans, and I didn’t stop her. Within seconds, she had my cock freed and was stroking my shaft. I glanced down, loving the sight of her slender fingers wrapped around my thick, aching cock.

“Fuck,” I breathed out, unable to tear my gaze away.

But then she dropped to her knees, and my heart stopped. She licked around my cockhead and then sucked me into her mouth. My stomach hollowed, and my knees damn near buckled.

“Mmm.” She continued to stroke me while she sucked on me, and I gathered her hair away from her face so I could get a better look.

“Goddamn. Your lips look so fucking good wrapped around my cock.” Unable to stop myself, I thrust my hips forward, driving my cock deeper into her mouth. She deepthroated me, and a guttural moan tore from my chest. “That’s it, Hannah. Suck my cock.” I adjusted my footing, but it did nothing to ease the feeling building deep in my balls. I needed to come, and I wanted to come in her mouth. But I wanted to feel her pussy wrapped around my cock even more.

With a groan, I pulled out of her mouth. She looked up at me, licked her bottom lip, and then pouted. “I wasn’t done with that.”

“Sonofabitch,” I muttered. She was going to kill me. Guiding her to her feet, I claimed her mouth in a kiss that was much too rough, but she didn’t complain. Not moving away from her lips, I backed her up until she hit the wall.

“I need to feel you inside of me, Ryan.” She was practically panting for me, and I wasn’t going to disappoint her.

“Are you ready for me, Hannah? Hmm?” I trailed my hand down her torso and swirled my finger around her clit before shoving it into her.

She cried out and grasped my arms.

“You are.” I grinned, pleased with the knowledge that sucking my dick made her so wet for me. “Good.” Hooking my arm under her knee, I lifted her leg and slid inside of her. She was so wet it was effortless, but the heat pouring from her pussy scorched me.

“Yes,” she hissed. She threaded her fingers into my hair and demanded a kiss. “Oh, God, Ryan. Yes.”

I fucked her hard and fast and unforgiving, and not once did she cry out in pain or tell me to stop. I wasn’t sure I could stop right now anyway. I nipped at her jaw, then kissed and nibbled at her neck. She put her head back against the wall, giving me full access, and I took complete advantage of that.

“You feel fucking amazing, Hannah.” My hips moved faster, gaining momentum right along with my impending orgasm. “I can’t get enough of you.”

“Oh, God. Oh, God,” she chanted and pushed her hips forward, demanding more. “Don’t stop. Please don’t stop.”

Hearing her beg like that… I moaned loudly. My cock thickened, and I wasn’t sure I’d be able to hold off a second longer. But I refused to come until she did first. I stilled long enough to lift her other leg, and she wrapped them around my waist at the same moment she wrapped her arms around my neck. I drew her nipple between my teeth, and she once again cried out. Damn, I loved that sound. Then I pounded into her, each impalement earning me a breathy gasp.

“You’re mine,” I growled.

“Yes,” she panted. “I’m yours, Ryan. All yours.”

“Fucking right you are.” I buried myself in her and rotated my hips. Her pussy clenched so tight I could barely move. And I loved every glorious second of it. She moaned, and I silenced her with a kiss, my tongue plunging between her sweet, luscious lips. My balls drew up painfully, my heart thundered, and my thrusts became more frantic. There was no way in hell I’d be able to pull out of her like I had last night, but like the impulsive idiot I was, I hadn’t put on a condom. Fuck it. I needed her too badly to worry about the consequences right now.

“Ryan,” she gasped, and then she rewarded me with her orgasm. She cried out and clung to me as if she’d die without me, and I pushed deeper, pinning her tighter to the wall so she couldn’t get away.

“That’s it, baby.” I groaned in her ear. “I love the feel of you coming on my cock.” My vision blurred, and I was lost to the sensations ripping through me. Wave after wave of pleasure propelled me toward the edge, and in a split second, I took the plunge. I came inside of Hannah, cursing and moaning as I filled her with my come. She cried my name, and I jerked at the sweet sound. “My, God. Hannah.” I dropped my head to rest on her shoulder, unsure I could hold her there a moment longer.

But then she tangled her fingers through my hair and sighed with content. “Well, that was unexpected.”

I laughed. “Yeah, well, I have no self-control when it comes to you.” I kissed her neck and collarbone, then I claimed her lips.

“Dad!” Kennedy called. It sounded like she was at the bottom of the steps.

The sound of her voice snapped me from my moment of perfect bliss.

“C’mon, are we going or not?” Kennedy shouted, frustration evident in her tone.

“Be right there!” I called back to her, and I grumbled as I pulled out of Hannah. She dropped her feet the floor, and I held onto her until she regained her balance. “Guess it’s time to go.” I put my cock back in my jeans and zipped them up.

“She’s never been very patient.” Hannah laughed and grabbed her nightshirt from the floor. “Have fun.” She kissed my cheek.

I snaked my arm around her waist and pulled her to me for a proper kiss. “I’m going to tell Kennedy. I promise.”

Hannah smiled, but I could see the uncertainty in her eyes.

“It’s going to be okay,” I said, and I hope with every fiber in my being that I wasn’t lying to her. With another quick kiss, I left her room and headed downstairs.

Kennedy stood by the front door. “About time. You’re worse than a girl when it comes to getting ready,” she teased.

I laughed. “Sorry. I had an emergency work call I needed to take.” I opened the door and ushered her out. Once we were in the car and headed toward the restaurant, I glanced at her and said, “So, dating anyone?” Probably not the most subtle way to ease into this conversation, but I didn’t exactly have a lot of experience with this.

“There have been a couple guys here and there, but nothing serious.” She shrugged. “Why?”

“Just curious. It’s my job as your father to know these things.”

She laughed. “Don’t worry, Dad. If I ever get serious with a guy, you’ll be the first person I introduce him to.”

I grinned. Then my stomach rumbled with unease. I cleared my throat. “How would you feel if I started dating someone?”

Kennedy jerked her head in my direction, eyes wide. “You haven’t dated since—”

“Your mother walked out on us. Yeah, I know.” I tried to keep the bitterness from my voice, but I’m pretty sure I failed miserably.

She was silent for a moment, and I held my breath. What if she said she didn’t want me to date? I never wanted to do anything to ruin my relationship with my daughter, but she was growing up fast, and I couldn’t keep living my life alone.

“You’re at college now, and other than work, I don’t do much. I think I’m finally ready to get back out there.” I kept my gaze on the road, afraid to see the expression on her face.

“I’ve always wondered why you haven’t dated,” she finally said.

“Because you’ve always been my priority. You still are, but you’re an adult now.” I pulled into the restaurant parking lot and found an empty spot. But I didn’t shut off the car. I wanted to finish this conversation before I lost my nerve.

“I’d be okay with it,” she said, twisting to look at me. “I want you to be happy, Dad, and as long as you don’t end up with some psycho…”

I laughed. “Some psycho?”

“Yeah, you know. Some crazy woman who breaks your heart and leaves you feeling worse than you do now.”

Taking her hand, I gave it a squeeze and smiled at her. “Thank you, Kennedy.” Okay, one hurdle down, one more to go.

She smiled back. “So, I assume you asked me this because there’s someone you’re interested in.” She wiggled her eyebrows.

I released her hand and killed the engine, hoping I could prolong this part of the conversation a bit longer. I chuckled and yanked the keys from the ignition; then I got out of the car. Kennedy followed.

“It’s that woman from the Halloween party, isn’t it? The pretty redhead.” She looped her arm through mine. “She seemed nice.”

Taking a deep breath, I held open the restaurant door for her. We were seated quickly and ordered our food.

“Or is it someone else?” Kennedy asked. Her eyes sparked with excitement. “Is it serious?”

I shook my head.

“C’mon, Dad.” She playfully swatted at my arm. “Give me the deets.” She laughed.

I took a long drink of water and swallowed hard. “No, it’s not the woman from the Halloween party.” Truth be told, I hadn’t given Diedre a second though until just now when Kennedy mentioned her.

“So, it’s someone else. Okay.” She nodded, clearly enjoying herself. “So where did you meet her?”

“She’s younger than me,” I blurted out, hoping to gauge her reaction to that information.

“How much younger?” Kennedy asked.

“A lot.” I shifted in my chair. “She’s your age.”

Her jaw dropped, and she leaned back in her seat. “For real?”

I nodded.

She crossed her arms over her chest, and she stared at me. “Who is it, Dad?” There were no more traces of humor or interest in her tone.

“It’s Hannah.”

Kennedy sat up straight, her eyes narrowed. “My best friend Hannah?”

“Yes.” I held her gaze. I’d done the hard part—I’d told her the truth—and now I needed to make sure she understood that this wasn’t just some fling. “It hasn’t been going on long. In fact, it only happened recently.”

The waitress chose that moment to arrive with our food. I thanked her, and then returned my attention to Kennedy, who was still glaring at me. She didn’t even acknowledge the plate of pasta now sitting in front of her.

“Please say something,” I said.

“What do you want me to say, Dad? You just told me you’re involved with my best friend. I’m not sure there’s anything I want to say.” She pushed her plate away. “I’m not hungry.”

Propping my elbows on the table, I buried my face in my hands and blew out a breath. “Look, I know this is a shock.” I looked up at my daughter, pleading with her to understand. “But I promise this isn’t just about sex. Not for me.”

Kennedy let out a shocked, bitter laugh. “Is that supposed to make me feel better?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know, but I do know that I care for Hannah. A lot. And I want to be with her.”

“Do you love her?”

“Yes,” I answered without hesitation.

“And if I say I don’t approve?” She looked away, but not before I saw the way her bottom lip trembled.

“Kennedy.” I reached for her hand, and thankfully, she didn’t pull away. “You’re my daughter, and you will always be the most important person in my life. I love you more than anything.”

She finally looked back at me, and there were tears pooled in her eyes. My heart broke. I absolutely did not want to hurt her.

“Nothing will ever change that,” I continued. “But I’m tired of being alone, and Hannah makes me happy. Can you please understand that?”

She slipped her hand from beneath mine and wiped at her eyes. Then she nodded. Relief swamped my body, and my shoulders sank from the massive weight of this secret being lifted.

“I want you to be happy, Dad. I really do,” she said.

“But?”

“But I can’t say I’m thrilled that you’re happy with my best friend.” She frowned. “It’s going to take me some time to deal with this, okay?”

“Yeah, of course.” I’d give her all the time in the world if it meant she’d eventually be okay with the idea of me and Hannah. “And we’ll do whatever we can to make this easier for you. Promise.” I smiled.

“Well, I guess I have to give you credit of being honest with me. I would’ve been pissed if I’d caught you two…” She scrunched up her face then shuddered. “You know.”

My eyebrows rose in surprise. Then I chuckled, thinking about how badly things could’ve gone earlier if Kennedy had walked into Hannah’s room. We were going to have to be a hell of a lot more careful.