Valentine's Daddy To Go: A Holiday Bad Boy Romance (The To Go Series Book 6)

by S. C. Adams

  “Yeah!” Emma says encouragingly. “That’s the spirit!”

  I laugh. She laughs too. The conversation moves on to other things. But as we chat, I keep silently flashing back to that night, to the way I felt sitting there in that restaurant as the clock ticked away the minutes – sad, embarrassed, and alone. I really wish she hadn’t brought it up. It’s not her fault, of course, because my co-worker didn’t know. Still, it’s a subject I didn’t want to have to re-visit.

  I don’t know what’s wrong with me that makes me so unlovable. My mom may think I’m a catch, but guys don’t seem to agree. I hear “I love you” all the time from sweet kids and my friends, but I’ve never had a man say it and mean it.

  Maybe it’s my size. I’ve always been a bigger girl, with giant boobs up front and a whole lot of junk in the trunk. I’ve tried dieting and I do get a reasonable amount of exercise with walking and biking, but no matter what I do, my body stays curvy and soft. I’ve given up on trying to change this aspect of myself. Trust me, it never works.

  When I was in high school, other girls used to make fun of me and call me fat, but I just smiled through it, doing my best to be a good person even though it made me want to cry sometimes. Besides, being fat is a whole lot better than being a cruel person. So what if I’m curvy? I have a good heart and I’m kind to people.

  These days, no one insults me openly or anything like that, but the dates certainly aren’t lining themselves up. I guess it’s O.K. Or at least I tell myself it’s okay and try to be grateful for what I have. I enjoy my job and being around all the little kids. I have a good relationship with my family and plenty of friends. Everything except my love life is amazing, so I really shouldn’t complain, but sometimes I feel empty on the inside. It would be so nice to have someone to share my life with and a special someone to wake up with in the morning.

  A buzz on the front door breaks me out of the moment. I glance up at a clock on the wall and notice that it’s five o’clock. I work until 7 PM, when the last of the parents arrive, but the first one start coming to pick up their kids around five.

  “Coming!” Emma announces, in the sing song voice she uses with children and their parents as she heads for the door. She opens it to reveal the twiggy frame of Mrs. Cavannah, who has twins in day care, a boy and a girl with matching blonde hair and green eyes.

  “Piper! Aaron!” I call out to them. They run over to me on their little feet, clad in Transformers and Frozen-themed shoes. Piper throws her arms around me as I help her put on her Sponge Bob Square Pants backpack, slipping the straps over her little arms.

  “How were my little angels today?” Mrs. Cavannah asks me, as I return her children to her.

  “Very good, weren’t you?” I say, tousling Aaron’s hair.

  “I’m always good,” he says confidently.

  “I made you a painting!” his sister announces, holding out a piece of purple construction paper with a red heart made of gold glitter and the word “Mom” in unevenly sized letters.

  “That’s beautiful,” Mrs. Cavannah says, taking the paper with a wide smile. My heart feels warm, overjoyed to see the love between parent and child. I just love kids so much, and the twins are an especially good pair of little souls.

  As they head off, the kids chattering excitedly to their mother, I go back to the play area and start helping the other children to get ready to go home, making sure everyone gets the right backpack.

  Suddenly, a shadow looms over me. I feel it as much as I see it, the air blowing both hot and cold at the same time over me.

  “Hello,” growls a very deep voice behind me. “I’m here to pick up Katie Lockhart.”

  Whoever this is, he ought to narrate romance novels, I think to myself. But when I look up, it’s clear that the voice in question belongs to literally the hottest man I have ever seen in person.

  He towers over me. Some tall men look awkward and stooped when they’re that tall, but this guy is built like a marble statue. He’s imposing, with a broad chest beneath a well-tailored sport coat.

  He’s probably in his forties, but incredibly handsome with a full head of black hair cut in a loose style and the most amazing pair of eyes. They’re blue like the ocean on a wish-you-were-here postcard of some exotic beach, and they seem to be staring right through me, cutting into my soul like a diamond-sharp blade.

  My jaw drops. It’s everything I can do not to let out a sound to go with the expression. It’s like I’ve just ridden over a bump in the road in a car, like some organ inside of my abdomen has leaped up and made its presence known. I feel a spreading warmth in my pussy, suddenly very aware of his presence in my secret spot.

  Wow. This is a new one. I’ve been turned on by hot male celebrities or by stunning male models, but this is an altogether new experience. I feel steamy all over, my skin tingling. I’m worried that I might be blushing and hope to god that my face isn’t beet red. This is deeply inappropriate.

  Quickly, my eyes go to the ground, avoiding the man’s gaze. I don’t want him to notice how turned on I am. I don’t want him to laugh at me, some silly fat girl getting all hot and bothered in her workplace over a parent here to pick up his kid. But this guy is so attractive that he’s probably used to it. He probably gets this kind of reaction all the time. I take a deep breath and try to calm myself down.

  This is my job. I’m here to take care of kids, and not act like some silly schoolgirl. Whoever this gorgeous hunk of man is, I’ve never seen him before, and I’m not about to let a child go home with the wrong person. I look back up, meeting the man’s penetrating eyes again.

  “Yes, Katie Lockhart attends daycare here at Ladybug Tots. May I ask who you might be?”

  The handsome man grins once as his blue eyes flash.

  “Her dad,” he rumbles deep in his chest. “Who else? Now I’d like to see my daughter please.”

  To be continued …

  Single Daddy To Go is now LIVE! Grab your copy here.

  Sneak Peek: Babydaddy To Go

  Alyssa

  Alyssa’s new to New York City, and a handsome stranger offers to show her around. But will their fun-filled adventure turn into something more?

  So far, everything I’ve seen about New York is from the inside of a train station.

  My grandparents dropped me off in Boston bright and early this morning to catch the one-ninety-five train into Penn Station. I forgot to pack my phone charger, so it died three quarters of the way through my four-hour ride. Ugh. Talk about absent-minded.

  I’m not usually the type of person who needs to be tied to her cell at all times, but it would really come in handy right now. I have absolutely no idea where I am, which means I have no idea how to get to my apartment. Luckily, I remembered that I was supposed to take the subway to Grand Central Terminal. After that, I’m totally lost.

  Why is this happening? Why why why? Especially since this is supposed to be the start of my great adventure.

  I stare down at my map again. The numbers are so tiny, but I manage to locate Grand Central. I search for the street where my apartment is supposed to be, but I can’t find it. Where are the “west” streets on this stupid map? I think I bought a faulty one.

  “Excuse me, Miss? Are you okay?”

  I jump, startled by the sudden voice. In front of me is a man with the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen, and they’re looking very concerned.

  “What?” I mumble, not remembering what he said.

  He chuckles.

  “I was asking if you’re okay. You appear to be lost.”

  I hold up my map, exasperated.

  “My phone died and I can’t figure out this stupid map! I need to be on West 55th, and this is East 42nd. That means I’m like a hundred blocks away, right?” comes my vexed tone.

  The handsome man doesn’t laugh at my naiveté.

  “You’re actually less than a mile from your destination,” he says with a wry grin.

  Befuddled, I look down at my map and then up at hi
m.

  “How is that even possible?”

  He shrugs.

  “That’s New York for you. Fifth Avenue is basically the epicenter of the city. The streets switch from east to west there. We’re not far.”

  “I’ve heard of Fifth,” I say slowly. “It’s where people go to shop, right?”

  He laughs.

  “Yeah, except that you have to have a million dollars to afford the shopping on Fifth, and I unfortunately, don’t have that kind of money.”

  I can’t help but blush. He’s so hot, and I’m a bedraggled mouse standing in the bustling halls of Grand Central. He could have walked by like the million other people here, but instead, he chose to help me.

  “I don’t think many people have that kind of money,” I say shyly. “I actually just moved here today, as you can tell,” are my words. The two oversized suitcases I’ve been lugging around are practically bursting at the seams. He raises his eyebrows. Being lost in New York City sucks; being lost with suitcases is even worse.

  “Welcome to New York,” the guy says drolly. “I’ve lived here my whole life. I can help you find your apartment, if you’d like.”

  After the trouble I’ve had trying to find it myself, I know I have to take him up on it. After all, what am I going to do? Letting a perfect stranger help me might be dangerous, but it’s morning and there are tons of witnesses around. I’ll be fine.

  “That would be so great,” are my grateful words. “I don’t think I’ll find it on my own.”

  “Excellent! I’m Nate, by the way.”

  “Alyssa,” I tell him shyly. “Thank you so much for helping me out.”

  His smile is warm and genuine. “It’s my pleasure. Can I take one of your bags?”

  Again, there’s no way I can say no. The suitcases are heavy. Any help is much appreciated.

  Suddenly, Nate takes a step towards me and I freeze like a deer in headlights because he smells amazing. But this isn’t some male cologne or a weird chemical scent. Instead, he smells masculine and spicy, which is the best combination in the world. There are notes of something tangy mixed with the deep musk of a woody forest. I have to stabilize myself with my suitcase because a fog begins to permeate my brain. Oh my god, what’s going on? But the gorgeous man doesn’t notice.

  “Follow me,” he says in his deep, sexy voice. He takes off towards an exit with shiny gold doors and holds one open so I can drag myself through it. Nate turns right and then immediately turns right again. We probably could have gone out a different set of doors, but the cool air feels great on my warm skin. It was getting a bit clammy inside the terminal. Of course, that may have more to do with Nate than the actual temperature.

  “So what do you think of New York so far?” he asks with a wry smile. Huffing, I smile back. I’m a bigger girl and the exertion is making me sweat, but I try to make like this is all a walk in the park.

  “I haven’t seen much,” I tell him breezily. “Just the skyline, but I’ve seen that in photos. This is my first time actually walking in New York City.”

  He raises his brows.

  “You moved to New York without ever visiting?”

  I blush. It does sound crazy, come to think of it.

  “Well, I had this great opportunity I couldn’t turn down. I’m going to start school here.”

  Nate nods.

  “Well, you’re definitely pretty enough for New York,” he flirts. “We like pretty girls in the big city, have you heard?”

  His comment takes me off guard and I nearly face plant on the side walk while hyperventilating, my knees weak. Oh god. Was that comment really directed at me? Luckily, Nate is there to catch me.

  “Thanks,” I say, letting myself luxuriate in the hard warmth of his arms before scrambling upright again. “Um, I’ve been a little worried about fitting in here. I grew up in a small town in Maine. It’s like, the total opposite of the city.”

  His easy grin sends shivers up my spine.

  “Hey, the first step is looking the part. As soon as you lose the suitcases, you’ll fit right in. The rest of it? Most of us are faking it until we make it, trust me. And you have to walk fast to be a real New Yorker.”

  I laugh, my death grip on my suitcase lessening.

  “I think I can handle all that. Are the people here all as nice as you are?”

  He smiles.

  “Absolutely not. I’m one in a million.”

  “Really?” I ask playfully. “Is that so?”

  Nate nods, but then shakes his head while chuckling.

  “No, sorry. I tend to be pretty sarcastic. I won’t lie and say everyone in New York is nice but you’ll meet some great people here. For the most part, New Yorkers are willing to help if you need it. As long as you stay out of their way when they’re heading to work because you know what it’s like here. Work, work, work.”

  I sigh, but I guess it makes sense. After all, I’m here to pursue the career of my dreams as well. We take another turn and a gasp escapes my lips. Oh my god, is it really? This is near where the giant Christmas tree is lit up during the holidays! Holy cow.

  Nate reads my mind and grins again.

  “Coming up on the left is Radio City Music Hall. I definitely recommend seeing a show there. And yep, this is where they have the tree at Rockefeller Center.”

  “It’s where the Rockettes perform, right?” My voice comes out breathy and awed.

  Nate nods.

  “The venue hosts other stuff, too, but yeah, the Rockettes do their yearly Christmas show at Radio City.”

  “I’ve always wanted to see that!” I say, almost clapping my hands with glee. “And I’m living within walking distance? That’s awesome! By the way, what’s your favorite thing to do in New York?” I ask.

  “Eat,” he says matter of factly. “There are a ton of amazing restaurants throughout the city. We have some of the best food in the world, in my humble opinion. I love trying new places and discovering new cuisines.”

  “I love food too,” I share. “You’ll have to tell me your favorite restaurants so I can check them out.”

  Before Nate can respond, we take one last left and the street name finally matches the one on my rental agreement. Sooner than I’d like, we’re in front of my new apartment building.

  “Thanks for helping me get here,” I say shyly as Nate hands me my second suitcase. I got lucky and scored a first floor apartment, so my need for his assistance ends here. Plus, it wouldn’t be wise of me to invite some guy I just met into my apartment building. Nate seems nice and trustworthy, but still. This is the big city, and I’m not that naive.

  “My pleasure,” he growls. “Hey, what are you here to study? I almost forgot to ask.”

  “Oh. Cooking. I got accepted into this awesome culinary school called the New York Academy for Culinary Arts. Have you heard of it?”

  Nate’s face goes blank for some reason. Is he not into chefs? I realize there’s a deluge of shows on the Food Channel, and a cookbook out every week. Or maybe his ex was a chef? But just as quickly, the expression is wiped off his face.

  “That’s great, Alyssa. Good luck.”

  “Thanks.”

  He doesn’t move, so I turn to go, raising one hand in farewell. The handsome man grins then.

  “Can I get your number?”

  Excitement pours through my veins.

  “Yes!” I practically shout. My cheeks redden. “I mean, sure. No problem.”

  Nate laughs, throwing his head back to reveal perfect white teeth.

  “I liked walking with you. If you ever need someone to do touristy things with, I’m your guy.”

  “Really?” I ask. Maybe the Big Apple is a charmed city where dreams really do come true.

  He grins.

  “Yeah, of course. I may have lived here my whole life, but there are still things I’ve never done. In fact, I’ve never been to the Met.”

  I giggle.

  “How is that possible? Doesn’t everyone go at least once? And i
t’s free to boot, right?”

  He shrugs.

  “I guess it was never on my list. It’s weird to think about it, but living here means I don’t notice as much of the cool stuff there is to do. For better or worse, you get used to things.”

  I giggle again.

  “Well, I don’t know about that, but I’ll happily go to tourist stops with you. I’m dying to get to know the city. My program only lasts a year, and I plan on using every second while I’m here to explore.”

  “We’ll do it together then. But first, let me get your number before I forget.”

  I recite the ten digits for him to enter into his phone. I hold up my dead cell for him to see.

  “I’d ask for yours, but I’d have nowhere to put it. Text me so I can save your number?”

  “Done,” he says. “By the way, do you want to have dinner with me tonight?”

  His abrupt question surprises me, but my answer is immediate.

  “Um sure.” Wow, things really do move at lightspeed in the city.

  Nate smiles, flashing that impish grin again. “Excellent. I’ll pick you up at five?”

  “Um sure,” I stammer. And with that, the handsome man is gone before turning around to wave.

  “Don’t bring any moose!” he calls.

  I giggle again, turning to go into my new apartment. Of course I wouldn’t bring moose to dinner. Or does he mean I should bring moose to dinner? Who knows? I’m stunned at the quick turn of events. I just got asked on a date in my first hour in the city. This truly is the land of opportunity, especially for a girl who doesn’t know much about men.

  But first things first. I drag my suitcases up the two stairs and down the hall. If I’d stayed with Nate on the sidewalk any longer, I might have never come in. My door opens easily with the key my landlord mailed. The apartment is expensive, but it came fully furnished, thank god. There’s a lumpy sofa and rickety dining table, along with a bright orange plastic chair. Only one chair, not two.