So, here we are,” I muse as I drop Elise off at her place. “Thank you for a wonderful weekend.”

Elise gives me a ghost of her normally megawatt smile, still worried about running into her co-worker at the pancake joint. “I should thank you. Keith, about the restaurant . . .”

“There’s nothing we can change about it now. She’ll either suspect something’s up between us or not,” I reply evenly. “The best thing you can do is make sure your story is a knockout and you drop enough hints of dirt that your editor’s going to be happy. Just make sure of one thing.”

“What’s that?” Elise asks, brightening a little.

“When you tell the world how much you’re addicted to my big, fat cock . . . don’t skimp on the size,” I joke. I’m trying to lighten the mood, ease her mind, but I know her career is serious to her. And as much as we’re both enjoying this growing thing between us, I don’t think either of us is ready for the fallout of everyone knowing. But I don’t want to end our amazing weekend on a suspicious, fearful note, so some prodding to get Elise to smile seems warranted, even if it’s a bit less bright than her usual megawatt grin.

Elise finally laughs, shaking her head. “What, are you kidding? That’s my big lead-in! I mean, it’ll hook them in for sure!” She holds up her finger, bent at the knuckle into a hook shape.

I laugh but grab her hand. "Don't even joke about that, woman. Or I'll have to remind you just how big and straight it is when I'm bottoming out in that tight little pussy."

Elise laughs, blushing a little. "I’ve already told you, you're the worst at punishing my brattiness. That sounds like a reward."

I look around to make sure we’re alone on the street, and I lean forward, sipping at her lips, driving her crazy wanting more. I pull back and she chases my kiss. “That’s enough for now. You’ve got work to do.”

She sits back in her seat, full bottom lip protruding in a pout. "You want to come inside?"

I smirk, knowing that if we do, work just won’t get done. "Maybe next time. Right now, you're gonna go in, work your magic on another story, and I'll call you later. And Elise, don't you dare come without me. Save it for me."

She nibbles at her lip, then nods. "I take it back. You're better at punishment than I give you credit for."

I smile, hitting the unlock button for her door. "I know."

I grab her chin and give her one more kiss, fiery hot and powerful to stoke her fire one last time before she goes inside. As she closes the door behind her, walking to her apartment building, I take a deep breath and adjust myself in my pants. I might be able to keep my control when she’s with me . . . but she pushes me to the limits. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Driving home, I sing to myself a few bars of something that’s been floating through my head. I don’t quite know what the song is yet, just one of those little ditties that float through my head from time to time . . . but this one feels like it could be one of those that turns into something.

Getting out of my truck at home, I’m barely in the door before Carsen’s hounding me, a hundred questions pouring out of her ever-curious mouth.

“So what did you do? Did you take her to the creek? What about the ATVs? Did you see any deer?”

I laugh at the way Carsen is bouncing and dragging me inside by my hand. Carsen’s always enjoyed going to the cabin, but I think she was even more excited for someone new to experience the beauty and fun we always share there.

“Slow down, honey. Let me at least get my pack in the door and get these boots off, and I’ll answer your questions. Think I can do that?”

Carsen nods, stepping back before coming closer again to hug me tightly. “I missed you.”

I hug her back, kissing the top of her head before looking up to see Sarah watching us with a smile on her face. “How was it?”

“Good,” I reply, letting go of Carsen and putting my backpack down. “I’ll get that later. Let’s see, my weekend . . .”

I give Carsen and Sarah a rundown of what’s happened the past forty-eight hours, a heavily edited version, of course. “And after the pancakes, I dropped Elise off at her place so she could start work on her story,” I finish, leaning back and sipping the Coke Sarah got me while I was telling Carsen about cooking chili. “Like I said, it was fun.”

“So, do you like her? Is she your girlfriend now?” Carsen asks.

I take another sip of Coke and lean forward, watching Carsen carefully. “Do you like her? Because yes, I like her a lot.”

Carsen smiles, nodding. “She’s cool, Dad.”

“Remember, baby, that no matter how much I like Elise, you’re always my number one girl, right?”

Carsen rolls her eyes, and I feel like sometimes she thinks I’m about fifty years older than I actually am. “I know that! But I want you to have more than just me and Aunt Sarah.”

I reach out, and Carsen comes over, plopping into my lap. She used to fit on one thigh, snuggling up to my side to watch cartoons. Now, she’s tall and all gangly limbs, but I’ll happily hold my little girl anytime she’ll let me, knowing it’s getting more and more rare as she gets older. She’s wise beyond her years sometimes, and it strikes me just how fast she’s growing up. “I love you, Carsen.”

She looks at me, no doubt in her mind. “I know, Dad. I love you too.”

Behind her, I see Sarah give us a nod and get up. “Think I’ll start dinner for tonight. How’s my famous biscuits and gravy sound?”

“Awesome!” Carsen says. “Uhh . . . so does that mean I have to go do my homework now?”

“You’d better,” I mock growl, making Carsen bounce up and run off with a laugh. I laugh too and watch her disappear before looking at Sarah.

“So you were fine taking care of her this weekend?” I ask her as soon as Carsen’s out of earshot.

“You know I adore that girl. Don’t you even think about that. Carsen’s right. Elise is good for you.” Her tone takes a more serious note. “If she's it, you need to circle the wagons, make sure she fits with you and Carsen. Dinner went well, but you need more time together. Both you and her, and the three of you.”

“The four of us, you mean. You’re a huge part of this too, Sarah. Carsen has only had you as a mother figure. I don't want to ever replace that, but I want to see if this can go somewhere. Who knows, maybe add to our ragtag motley crew.”

Sarah reaches up to hug me, lightly kissing my cheek. “I like that plan. Let’s see if we can do dinner this week . . . the four of us.”