Page 10 of Enticed
“But, Dad,” she drew out dramatically, “you’re old. And you’re a boy. I can relate to Jasmine.”
That was it. I couldn’t hold it any longer. A snorted laugh escaped my throat. Gabe shot me a glare, but the corner of his lips twitched.
“Fine,” Gabe said, a glint of mischief sparkling in his eyes, “but you have to ask her yourself.”
Damn. Way to put me on the spot. I was more than willing to take on her riding lessons, but he didn’t know that.
Rory turned those big sparkling blue eyes on me and folded her hands beneath her chin in a pleading gesture.
“Jasmine, can you pretty please be my new riding instructor?” She asked so sweetly there was no way I could deny her. She didn’t even wait for my response before adding, “With sugar on top.” How could I say no to that?
I looked to Gabe for any indication of how he wanted me to respond. This could have easily been his way of placing all the blame on me if Rory didn’t get her way. I’d be the one disappointing her instead of him. His expression gave nothing away, so I gave the answer I wanted.
“Of course.”
CHAPTER NINE
GABE
Whispering voices filled my consciousness as something tugged on my blanket. Suddenly there was pressure on my legs, and the voices grew closer.
No, not voices. One voice.
“Andy?” Rory whisper-shouted, and my eyes shot open. “Where are you, you little rascal?” Frustration laced her tone, and it would’ve been funny except there was, presumably, a rodent loose in my house.
“Rory,” I said, and she stilled.
“Hi, Dad,” she replied sheepishly.
“Why are you crawling around on my bed looking for Andy?”
“Umm,” she began but hesitated, chewing on her lip. “I was playing with him, but he wiggled out of my hands and ran away. I followed him in here, and that’s where I lost him.”
“Son of a bitch,” I groaned under my breath. She still heard me.
“Daddy,” she gasped, “you’re not supposed to say bitch,” she reminded me, whispering the last word like it wouldn’t count if she didn’t say it too loud.
“Neither are you,” I said, dumbfounded.
“I was just repeating what you said. It doesn’t count. Mommy said so.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Mommy said that if I hear someone say something bad and I need to tell an adult, that I’m allowed to repeat it and I won’t get in trouble.”
I sighed and rubbed my temples. It was far too early for this. The sun hadn’t even come up yet.
“Why are you awake? It’s…” I reached over and grabbed my phone, tapping the screen so it would light up. “Five forty-five.” There was absolutely no reason to be up this early on a Saturday. It was my day off.
“Jasmine is starting my riding lessons today!” she squealed, bouncing up and down on her knees, jostling the mattress.
“Not for another four hours. Go back to bed,” I grumbled.
“But what about Mr. Andy?”
Fuck. I’d forgotten about the missing chinchilla already.
I threw off my covers and climbed out of bed, thankful I’d opted to sleep in pajama pants instead of boxers or going commando like I usually did when I was home alone. Flipping on the lights, I looked around the room. There was no sign of Andy anywhere. Rory crouched on the floor and peered under my bed.
