Taking the Plunge Page 26

  Nancy snuggled next to him while they watched the game.

  Coen was impressed by the house, saying he wished he lived there.

  “Sydney’s shack is awesome,” Henry said.

  “I like it there too, but this place is cool,” Coen said.

  Derek drank his beer but said nothing.

  “This is boring,” Nancy said. “I’m going to take a nap.”

  “Have fun,” Thatcher said.

  She went into his bedroom then removed all her clothes then crawled into bed. Nancy hoped the game would be over when she woke up and Thatcher would be in the mood to make love. She could never get enough of him. She closed her eyes and fell asleep.

  When she felt the soft touch of Thatcher’s lips on her back, she knew he returned. Nancy sighed but didn’t move or open her eyes. His lips moved to the back of her neck then down to her ass. When she felt his erection against her backside, she knew he was naked. The revelation made her excited.

  Thatcher kissed her pussy from behind, licking and sucking. Nancy stayed on her stomach, loving the way he was waking her up. He grabbed her legs and straightened them before he moved over her. He gripper her hands as he rested his elbows on the bed. Then he stuck his head inside her then pushed slowly, sliding all the way inside.

  She gasped loudly, loving the tight fit. His legs were on the outside of her thighs and he started to move inside her, humping and thrusting.

  Nancy squeezed his hands, biting her lip so she wouldn’t scream.

  “How is this for you?” he whispered in her ear.

  “Please—don’t—stop.”

  He kissed her neck and moved into her hard and fast.

  It was better than any other position they tried. It felt deeper and fuller, so tight she thought she would break. His heavy mass kept her pinned down to the bed so she was unable to move. He did all the work, moving in and out of here.

  “Right there…”

  He continued at his pace and breathed into her ear, his breaths shaky.

  She squeezed his hands tighter. “Yeah…yeah.”

  Thatcher continued to move inside her until her pussy didn’t feel so tight. Then his dick twitched and he came inside her. “Mmm…”

  She rested her head on the pillow, overcoming the high she just felt.

  Thatcher pulled out of her then lied beside her.

  Nancy turned on her back then rested her hand on his chest. “I like it like that.”

  “It felt really good.”

  “You can wake me up like that whenever you want.”

  “Dully noted.”

  “How were the guys?”

  “Good. I like them.”

  She smiled. “I’m glad you like my friends so much.”

  “They’re your family. Of course I like them.”

  “They mean the world to me.”

  “I figured since you tell them everything—besides your not so humble beginnings.”

  She shrugged. “People are weird about money.”

  “They are. But you think your friends would be?”

  “I don’t know. I just don’t want them to treat me differently.”

  “I don’t think they would.”

  She turned on her side and moved her hand down his chiseled stomach.

  “Are you ready for tonight?” he asked.

  She stared at his chest. “I don’t know…”

  “I’ll be there the whole time.”

  “I just don’t know what to say to him.”

  “Just give him a chance to apologize,” he said. “You’ll know what to say then.”

  “Okay. How’s your head?”

  “It’s better.”

  “I’m glad.”

  He sat up. “I should get ready.”

  “Yeah…I guess I should too.” She went through her clothes and found something to wear. Her heart felt heavy with dread. She didn’t want to see her dad. There was too much pain there. She was tired of feeling unloved and abandoned. Thatcher was the only person who could give her what she needed. She could never trust her father no matter how convincing he was. Every day, she would wait for him to ignore her like he used to. She couldn’t shake the feeling.

  Thatcher wore slacks and a vest, looking professional.

  “Why do you look so nice?”

  “We’re going to dinner.”

  “So?”

  “Your dad picked a nice place.”

  She looked down at herself. She was wearing jeans and a t-shirt. “I guess I should change.”

  “Wear whatever you want. I still have to make a good impression.”

  She shook her head. “His opinion doesn’t mean anything to me.”

  “I still want his respect.”

  “I’m sure you already have it, Thatcher.”

  “And if you two can’t work it out, I want him to have peace of mind, knowing I can take care of you.”

  Her eyes softened when she looked at him. It was such a sweet thing to say.

  They left for the restaurant then arrived in the parking lot. Thatcher kept his arm around her waist as they walked inside. It was dimly lit. The receptionists wore black dresses with heels, and the waiters wore slacks and ties.

  Her father was already sitting at a table by the window, a glass of wine in front of him. Nancy felt her heart accelerate when she looked at him. She never felt more uncomfortable in her life. Thatcher guided her to the table and pulled out her chair, seating her across from her father. He sat beside her and placed his arm around her chair.

  Nancy glanced up to see her father looking at her.

  “You look nice,” he said.

  She never heard him say that in her life. Since she was wearing casual clothes, she knew he didn’t mean a word of it. Nancy looked down at the menu.

  Thatcher rubbed her left shoulder then moved his hand to her neck, trying to calm her silently. He looked at her father. “It’s nice to see you, Mr. Erikson. How’s the hotel?”

  Her father nodded. “Likewise, Mr. Adams. It’s doing good.”

  “Please call me Thatcher,” he said quickly.

  “Will do,” her father said. “It’s doing well. How’s the gallery?”

  “Business is good like usual.”

  Her father drank from his wine then looked at Nancy. “So Thatcher told me you were quite an accomplished artist.”

  “I am,” she said simply.

  “I would like to see your work sometime.”

  “I already showed you and you didn’t give a damn.”

  Her father sighed and looked down. “Nancy, I’m not skilled in art. But I was proud of you either way, whether it was amazing or abysmal.”

  “I’m going to get the steak,” she said, staring at her menu.

  Her father took another drink of wine, his hand shaking as he held it to his lips.

  Thatcher leaned forward. “We had a wonderful time in New York. Nancy sold all her paintings.”

  “Congratulations, kiddo. That’s wonderful.”

  “Stop calling me that,” she snapped. “I’m not five anymore. I know you missed the past ten years of my life, but surely you’ve noticed that I hit puberty, graduated from high school, and am an adult.”

  Thatcher leaned close to her ear. “Take a deep breath.”

  She did then looked down.

  “I’m sorry,” her father said. “I guess I’ll always see you as my little girl.”

  She wanted to make another remark but she held it back.

  Her father fidgeted with the napkin on the table. “Nancy, I’m really sorry about everything. I know an apology doesn’t erase all my mistakes, but I really mean it. I miss you and want you back in my life. Unfortunately, it was your absence that made me miss your presence. I want to spend time with you, take you to the movies, eat dinner with you in the kitchen, spend the weekend with you.”

  “When mom left, you only took care of me out of obligation, not love.”

  He shook his head. “That’s not true at all. I loved
having a daughter. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. Of course, I would have done a few things differently.”

  She crossed her arms over her chest but didn’t look at him.

  “I have something for you.”

  “I don’t want your money,” she snapped.

  He pulled it out of his pocket then placed it on the table in front of her. It was an envelope that was covered in a tie dye print. “Please open it.”

  With shaky hands, she pulled the tab open. It was a gift certificate for a painting class. It was an admission for two people.

  Her father stared at her face. “I was hoping you could come with me. It’s on Saturday.”

  She stared at it for a long time, feeling the tears bubble under her eyes. She set it on the table. “You remembered?”

  “Of course I did, Nancy.”

  She sniffed then blinked the tears back.

  “Nancy, there’s something about your mother I never told you about. I guess I’ll tell you now. Your mom ran away because she didn’t want to be responsible for another person. She was selfish and immature. It hurt when she left. Years later, she came back and said she wanted to be in your life again, but I suspect it’s because of my recent fortune and your association with it. I told her she could never see you again because of the decision she made. I knew she didn’t really love you, just wanted to use you. I tell you this so you realize how much I love you. I’ve always wanted you in my life. I’m sorry that wasn’t clear all the time.”

  She processed the information, taking it in. “Are you sure she wasn’t being sincere?”

  “I’m positive. A few years ago she was thrown in jail for multiples charges of shoplifting. I don’t know what happened to her, but I couldn’t let her ruin your life. I was sad when she left, but now I realize it was the best for you. I only want what’s best for you. I’ve never resented my status as a single parent. You’re the single best thing that ever happened to me. I’m sorry I lost sight of that.”

  Thatcher moved his hand to hers and squeezed it.

  Nancy sniffed. “I—I’m scared. You hurt me so much. I’m afraid you’re just going to do it again.”

  Her dad nodded. “I understand why you feel that way. Let’s just take it one step at a time. I’ll do anything to keep you in my life. Please don’t cut me out. I admit I was a horrible parent but I learned my lesson. Please.”

  She blinked her tears away then looked at him. “I’ll only give you another chance under one condition.”

  He smiled, his teeth showing and his eyes shining. “You name it. I don’t care what it is. I’ll do it.”

  “You’re going to give those people back their jobs and you’re going to pay them a decent wage, none of that minimum wage bullshit.”

  His smiled dropped, surprise filling his eyes. “I don’t understand the relevance.”

  “The cause of this fallout is your greediness. I know how much money you make a year. I know how much is sitting in your savings account, doing absolutely nothing. You will change your ways, treat your workers with respect, or I’ll never talk to you again as long as I live. You won’t come to our wedding, you won’t see your grandchildren, and I won’t come to your funeral. So, what’s it going to be? Your money or your daughter?”

  He leaned back in his chair, surprise still on his face. Her father placed his hands on the table, lightly drumming the surface. When Nancy looked at him, she saw the confusion in his eyes. The fact that he was hesitant broke her heart all over again. She knew what he would decide.

  “You’re getting married?” he asked.

  “Don’t change the subject,” she snapped. “Answer me. What’s it going to be?” She kept the emotion from escaping her voice, staying strong.

  Her father looked at her, his eyes the same colors as hers, then grabbed her hands and brought them to his lips. “Consider it done.”

  She released the breath she was holding.

  “You’ll give me another chance?”

  Nancy nodded, trying not to cry.

  “Thank you so much,” he said as he kissed her hands again. Tears bubbled in his eyes and she saw the coat of moisture.

  Thatcher stood up then leaned toward her ear. “I’ll give you some privacy. I’ll see you back at the house.” He kissed her cheek then left the restaurant.

  Her father squeezed her hands. “I love you, kiddo.”

  She smiled at the nickname, no longer offended. “I love you too, Dad.”

  He pulled his hands away and blinked his tears away. “You hungry?”

  She nodded.

  The waiter came over and took their order. Her father ordered for both of them like he used to years ago. Her father grabbed the bottle of wine and poured her a glass.

  “I forget you’re old enough to drink,” he said with a smile.

  “I like wine.”

  “Red or white?”

  “Both.”

  “You must get that from me.”

  “Maybe.” She was still nervous but she felt better knowing he agreed to change his ways. It meant the world to her.

  “Nancy, I forgot about all our good times in that duplex until you reminded me. You were right. Those were the greatest years of my life. We didn’t have money or even a car, but we had a wonderful time searching for ants, playing in the ocean, watching the iguanas climb the trees, the cockroaches that would sneak into the living room…I miss it.”

  “I miss it too.”

  “Thank you for reminding me what’s important. I became a bit obsessive, caring about something that doesn’t really matter.”

  “You can’t take your money with you,” she whispered.

  He nodded. “You’re right. You’re much wiser than I ever thought. I was ignorant to assume that I knew everything.”

  Nancy didn’t have a response to that.

  “The most dreaded time in every father’s life is when his daughter starts dating. We fear our little girl will end up with a low-life piece of shit. I’m glad I never had to deal with that. Thatcher is a great guy. I couldn’t have picked anyone better myself.”

  She smiled. “I love him.”

  “And I know he loves you. So, is there going to be a wedding anytime soon?”

  “Not that I know of. But if he asked me marry him, I would say yes.”

  “I’m very happy for you. I’ve tried spending time with him, but he rejected all my offers until I spoke to you.”

  “Why did you want to see him?”

  “When he described your relationship, it sounded serious. I wanted to be close to you in some way, even if it was with your future husband. I hoped if I proved my sincerity, he would stick his neck out and try to get you to talk to me.”

  “So you manipulated him?”

  He shrugged. “I did what I had to.”

  Now she felt horrible for snapping at Thatcher. “You’re lucky that Thatcher did that. Without him, I wouldn’t have spoken to you.”

  He nodded. “I know we haven’t been that close lately, but I know how stubborn you are.”

  “You’re one to talk,” she jabbed.

  He smiled. “I know I have a hard head.”

  The waiter brought the plates then walked away. Nancy felt awkward as she cut into her steak. She hadn’t shared a meal with her father in years. He just took the food she made, never thanking her, and then disappeared into his office.

  “It’s not quite as good as your cooking,” he said as he cut his fish.

  Her cheeks blushed but she said nothing.

  “So, you dropped out of school?”

  She waited to be berated. “Yeah.”

  “Why?”

  “I don’t belong there.”

  “And where do you belong?”

  “In front of a blank canvas with a bucket of paint at my feet.”

  “If that’s what you want to do, I support you.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Thatcher told me how talented you are,” he said after she chewed his food.
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  She shrugged. “Since he loves me, he’s a little biased.”

  “Do the people in New York love you as well? Because I heard you sold out of paintings.”

  “What hasn’t he told you?” she said with a laugh.

  “Not much. I’ve picked his brain aggressively for several weeks. So, where do you live?”

  “I live in an apartment.”

  “An apartment?” he asked, an eyebrow raised. “Alone?”

  “I usually sleep at Thatcher’s.”

  He looked down at her words, not broaching the awkward subject. Nancy thought it was pretty obvious that she was having sex with Thatcher every night.

  “Is that safe?” he asked.

  “I feel safe,” she said.

  “I would love it if you moved back home. I miss you.”

  She shook her head. “I need my own space now.”

  “Well, I could buy you a house. I—”

  “I don’t need your money. I can take care of myself.”

  “Then why don’t you move?” he asked.

  She shrugged. “I don’t know. I like my apartment. I don’t need much else.”

  He sighed. “If Thatcher doesn’t have a problem with it, I guess I shouldn’t.”

  “Thatcher doesn’t tell me what to do.”

  He stirred the wine in his glass. “That isn’t what I meant. I just worry about you is all.”

  “Well, I’m perfectly fine.”

  Her father fell silent then pushed his food away, finished. “You’ll go to that art class with me?”

  “Yeah,” she whispered. “When are you going to give everyone their jobs back?”

  He sighed. “Tomorrow, I guess. You’re welcome to do it if you wish. I suspect they won’t want to come back after the way I treated them.”

  “You need to stop thinking about money and start thinking about people. They aren’t slaves.”

  “I realize that. I would love it if you helped me out with the business. You can determine the pay roll, the number of employees, benefits, all of that. Whatever you want, I’ll do.”

  “Well, I work as an artist now.”

  “But the hotel will be yours someday. You may as well learn the ropes.”

  “But my passion is art.”

  “Can you do both?”