Varden

Thank god it was Saturday morning. After an incredible session in front of my window, my girl had completely passed out. I was in need of some recovery time, too. She was so beautiful as she dozed, vulnerable yet strong. And the enthusiastic way she let me pop her ass cherry—well, that would give me something to jerk off to for years to come.

I had to figure out how to break news of the relationship to Saffi’s dad. Hugh Bartlett knew me as a hard-driving professional as well as a man-whore when off the clock. He might not want his daughter to have anything to do with me.

Couldn’t blame him, really.

Saffi stirred, looking around the room as if she didn’t know where she was. “Wow. I guess I fell asleep again. What time is it?”

“Ten a.m.”

“Oh my god! My dad’s gonna think I’m dead in a ditch. Why didn’t I text him last night? Shit.” She jumped out of bed and scrambled for her cell. “He’ll be so worried.”

“He should be,” Varden said.

She whipped her head around. “Why?”

He ran his fingers through his bed head. “I’m sure it’s no surprise to you that I haven’t exactly been the settling down type—”

“And my dad is aware of that?”

He nodded slowly. “Everyone’s aware of that.”

She lowered herself to the bench where all the fun had happened the night before. “So what am I doing here?”

I looked up at the bedroom ceiling, then gazed directly at her. “I don’t know why, but something is different with you. I want you in my life. You’re amazing, smart, beautiful, sexy, kind—”

“Oh my god.” Her eyes filled with tears and her chin quivered. “Thank you. I mean, not thank you, but that’s so kind. No, not kind, that’s not what I meant—”

I pressed my fingers to her lips. “Shhh. You don’t have to say anything.”

She sniffled and cleared her throat. “There are two calls from my dad.” She played the first one.

“Saffi, hey there, just checking in. I don’t mind your spending the night out, but I’d really like you to let me know when you’re not coming home. Talk to you soon, sweetie.”

I winced. Damn.

“I’ll text him that I’m on my way home. Can you give me a lift to my car? I left it at the club.”

“Of course. In fact, I think I’ll follow you to your dad’s. We’ll all have a talk.”

“Sure you want to do that?” she asked me with raised eyebrows.

“Hey, I gotta start showing I’m a new man some time, don’t I?” I laughed.

She ran around the room, gathering her clothes from the night before. Could I really move from being mister man-whore to smitten with the beautiful Saffi?

“There’s one thing I wanted to ask you about,” I said. “Have you given any thought to exactly, um…who might show up in your story for the Post?”

She cupped the sides of my face. “You are not going to be in the story. Do you think I want everyone to know that during my undercover investigation I, um, tested the merchandise?”

Grabbing hands, we headed for my car.

* * *

Driving separately, we pulled up before her father’s house in one of the city’s more upscale residential neighborhoods. It was vastly different from the downtown high rise where I lived, and yet the advantages of having more space, and peace and quiet, were obvious. I’d never been to Hugh’s home and was glad to see the man rewarded himself for being available to clients like me nearly twenty-four seven. He certainly deserved it.

Saffi waited on the front step for me to park, and then she let us into the house with her key. The entryway was vast and tastefully decorated.

“Wow,” I whispered, “you grew up here?”

She nodded. “I did. My mom decorated the place. She had a real talent for that sort of thing.”

“Man, you should see where Beau and I grew up.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Just a little different from this place.” I pictured the shitty little trailer Beau and I had called home. I was also quite sure Saffi hadn’t worried about being smacked around by drunks during her childhood. I had a lot to share with her…

“Dad?” she called.

“Hi, sweetie. In here.” Hugh’s voice rang from the other side of the house.

We walked into a darkly paneled study with comfortable, crackled, broken-in leather furniture. The room smelled of cognac and a slight mustiness, most likely from the hundreds of books lining the walls.

“Varden,” Hugh said with surprise when he saw me follow Saffi in.

“Hugh. How are you?” I crossed the room to shake hands.

He stood and automatically extended his hand, but the look on his face was confused. “I didn’t expect to see you two here. Together. What a surprise.” He looked back and forth between us.

Damn, he was diplomatic. No wonder he was a top attorney.

“Dad, I want to explain—”

But I interrupted. “No, Saffi. Let me explain, please. Mind if we sit, Hugh?” I gestured to the chairs opposite the desk. I had to speak fast. I knew how she felt about being spoken for.

“Please. Be my guests.”

Saffi looked at me with wide eyes.

We sat, and I cleared my throat.

“Hugh, Saffi and I have seen each other socially a few times, and have decided to start dating.” I reached for Saffi’s hand. “I hope that’s okay with you, and I hope it doesn’t burden our working relationship.”

Hugh rubbed his chin and tilted his head back to look at the ceiling. Shit, maybe this wouldn’t go as well as I’d hoped.

But he took a deep breath. “Were you at Varden’s last night?” he asked Saffi.

She looked directly back at him. “Yes, Dad. I stayed over his place.” God, she was gutsy.

He looked over at me.

“Varden, you know Saffi’s my precious girl.” He looked down at his hands. “I’ve always dreamt that she’d find the kind of happiness her mother and I had. Now, I know you guys say you are just starting to date. But if I could choose an upstanding man for my daughter”—he looked back up—“I would choose you.” He broke into a huge smile.

Saffi and I looked at each other in disbelief. My beautiful girl was beaming.

“Saffi,” Hugh said, motioning toward me, “this man is one of the most ethical and upstanding clients I’ve ever had. I completely trust him.”

Holy shit. I’d hoped he thought well of me, but I hadn’t expected praise like that. My own eyes welled up at the kindest thing anyone had ever said about me.

Saffi jumped up from her chair, kissed my cheek, and and ran to hug her father. “Thank you for trusting us, Dad. I was concerned there might be some…difficulty.”

“You’re a grown woman. You can do what you want. But I am honored you both came to me.”

I stood and extended my hand again. “Hugh,” I said, my voice cracking. “I appreciate the vote of confidence.” I looked at Saffi with a hungry smile. “We both appreciate it.”