GIRL DAD’S A RISING STAR
EMBER DAVIS
For those who are and love a girl dad.
Happy Father’s Day!
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
EPILOGUE
CARTER AND MELODY’S PLAYLIST
GIRL DAD SERIES
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
OTHER BOOKS BY EMBER
And embarrasses the fuck out of you. Like at my high school graduation when she came dressed like she was about to go work at the strip club, along with six-inch heels. She then proceeded to hit on the head coach before tripping and breaking her leg. Oh, let’s not forget she wasn’t wearing panties and the entire graduating class, all those who came to watch their well-loved students with pride, and all the teachers got quite an eyeful. Of my mother’s vagina. Just in case it wasn’t clear.
I shy away from the spotlight and have a good work ethic because someone had to. Should I have been more of an adult than her? Nope, but it’s just how it was. Still is. I’ve always gone out and done what needed to be done. Being an only child, I had to do it on my own. I was too busy trying to hold it all together to have many friends.
Which is why it shouldn’t be hard for me to knock on this door, go in and keep fighting, keep working at having the life I want. The life I deserve as a reward for the work I put in. I may have listened to Bishop Brigg’s “River” on repeat during lunch in the attempt to pump myself up for this. I wasn’t born under some lucky star, so I know what I need to do.
Fuckit.
I see Isaac heading this way from lunch. Normally he would be the sentinel for Kat’s office, but right now is my chance. After knocking, finally, I slip in when I hear permission being granted from the other side. Kat is head of PR and oversees the interns. Really, she’s in charge of the office and everyone knows it.
She is sitting behind her desk looking put together, even though I know this last year has been a lot for her. She keeps her personal life as private as she can, but people talk.
Then there’s the fact you can’t hide Grayson, her husband, behind anything. He’s a big guy and protective as hell. Well, maybe you could hide him behind the other Higgins Security guys, but only barely. I’ve met Grayson and their son, who is really Grayson’s nephew, but that’s a whole other story. Letting my thoughts race is not going to help me get this job. The job I deserve. The job I need. Yep, there’s the desperation I’m oh so familiar with.
When Kat motions for me to sit, I don’t waste any time. I sit as primly and properly as I can, as if it is going to make a bit of difference here. It won’t. I know it.
Kat gets right to the point, “How can I help you, Melody?”
I try not to fidget, but I do it anyway. I clear my throat, “Today is the last day of the internship and I wanted to come and talk to you about becoming a permanent employee.” Kat opens her mouth, but I cut her off, “I’ve loved working here, it’s my dream place. I’ve worked hard and I think it shows.”
Kat nods, “You have done an exemplary job here. That is not at all in dispute.”
My shoulders slump slightly. If my work is not in dispute, then why do I not have a job here yet? I’ve worked my ass off for this. Since the label has only been growing, I don’t think the issue is the lack of a position. I feel the fight starting to drain out of me and Kat hasn’t even said a damn thing. What kind of psychological-CIAStockholm-mind meld shit is this?
I squirm slightly before I take a deep breath and get it together. I know there is one thing I can offer to help with and by doing so make myself indispensable to the label. It’s my Hail Mary and I plan on using it. Right fucking now before this goes any more sideways than it already has.
I clear my throat, “I heard the childcare for Carter Andrew’s tour fell through?”
One corner of Kat’s lip twitches, but I’m not sure how to read it. It could be amusement, but it could be annoyance. She might be warmer than when I started, but she keeps a tight hold on a lot of emotions. She’s to the point and doesn’t give praise unless he means it.
Kat leans back in her chair, her entire focus on me. “It has. The person’s father became ill suddenly and it’s pretty serious.”
I sigh, look away and bite my lip. I feel kind of guilty about taking advantage of someone else’s illness. I hate it’s what I have to do. I look back at Kat and let determination fill me. It’s not like I wished the man to get sick, I’m just seeing the opportunity it poses. At least that’s what I’m going to keep telling myself.
met her. I’ve learned so much from her, mostly because she expects so much.
Her voice is decisive, final. “Okay. I hope you can pack quickly because you leave tomorrow, and you can’t take too much stuff either. I’ll e-mail you the list of supplies already prepared for Leighla. If you want other things, go ahead and get them.” She opens her desk drawer and pulls out a credit card. “This is for any expenses you may have as well as anything you need related to taking care of Leighla.”
I nod and take the card gingerly, like if I hold it too tight then it might crumble to ash. I gush, “I promise I won’t let you down.”
Kat smiles at me and I’m stunned for a moment. She winks, “I know you won’t.” She leans forward across the desk, “Just so you know, I was planning to call a meeting for later in the day and offer all the interns permanent positions.” My mouth drops open and Kat laughs.
Well, I guess I’m going on tour. Time to pack and then go to the craft store, which is one of my favorite places to go. Not getting too much is going to be the biggest problem I have. I should be worried about whether I can keep up with Leighla, but I’m not. Instead, I’m excited about the job, the tour, and playing princess with someone.
better off, it was hard to realize I had no idea who the woman was I had spent years with, had a child with. The self-doubt and hate rode me hard.
I haven’t been able to bring myself to date or even talk to a woman since then. The betrayal cut deep. I was like a bad version of Shawn Mendes’ “Stitches”. It’s taken me a while to heal. I’m sure exhaustion and single parenthood didn’t help, but I wouldn’t give up any of the memories I’ve made with Leighla for a woman.
That’s why I can’t imagine leaving her behind and being away from her for the three-months the tour will last. We’re a set, a dynamic duo. Still, if whoever the label found to replace Brad doesn’t get here soon and make a fucking stellar first impression, I don’t think I’ll have much of a choice and I’ll have to leave her here.
She’d have fun staying with any of the Banks Ink., Suburban Outcasts or Higgins Security family. We’ve gotten to know them and they’re amazing people who would take great care of her. My mom would be able to help. Hell, I know Mom would have Leighla the whole time, but it would be too much for her. She should be able to go out and live without worrying about mychild.
Fuck, maybe the road is no place for a little girl.
Maybe this whole thing was a mistake. Maybe I should have turned Suburban Outcasts down when they approached me. Maybe I should have given up on this dream years ago.
Leighla’s eyes are sleepy as she looks up at me from the couch in the tour bus, dawn barely creeping over the horizon. I don’t want to miss out on moments like these, my heart aches at the thought. Her voice is tired, “Do you think they’ll be here soon?”
I give her a smile and tuck her into my side a little more. She’s already been up awhile this morning and was so excited to meet whoever the label found, but now I can see exhaustion coming back. I grit my teeth, trying to tamp down the anger I feel at the rudeness and tardiness from this mystery person.
I try and keep the anger out of my voice, “I hope so.”
She nods and snuggles into me. These moments are the ones I live for. The ones I will miss dearly. My patience is about to shred completely, knowing I won’t have a choice in the matter. I shift
slightly, preparing to pull my phone out to call Mom so she can come and get Leighla, when headlights illuminate the parking lot.
Leighla perks up, her earlier exhaustion completely forgotten as she starts to bounce excitedly. “What do you think their name is? What do you think they’ll like?” She looks at me seriously, “Is it a girl or a boy?” She presses her little hands to her heart and gushes for the millionth time since I told her Brad wasn’t going on tour with us, “I hope it’s a girl. Brad was nice, but I want a girl who will like Disney movies and purple, just like me.”
I chuckle, her enthusiasm making it hard to hold onto my annoyance, “Not all girls like Disney movies, Sweetie.”
Her eyes round, as if I haven’t pointed this out just as many times as she’s expressed her hope for a female nanny. She gasps, “That can’t be right, Daddy.” She looks horrified, “It just can’t be.”
Before I can tell her it’s a distinct possibility, the tour bus doors open and in come the guys from Suburban Outcasts along with a small woman whom I’ve never seen before. I can only guess she’s the nanny. The woman pushes her way through, looking nervous even as she tries to hide it with a smile. Her eyes bounce back and forth between Leighla and me.
Leighla’s voice is loud and excited as she walks right up to the stranger, “Oh! What’s your name? Are you coming with us? I’m Leighla. Can I dye my hair teal like yours? My favorite color is purple, but I really like teal and pink, but teal even more than pink.”
Leighla’s exuberance is barely contained as I watch the woman struggle for a moment with how to answer while feeling overwhelmed by the onslaught. She takes a deep breath and glances at me, but I’m still a little stunned.
The woman in front of me is fucking remarkable, more so than anyone I have ever seen in my life. I can only blink as I take her in. She’s short, probably around 5’3” or so, her hair is, as Leighla pointed out, teal. The color makes her brown eyes pop. Her curves remind me of my acoustic guitar. The realization makes me want to snatch her up, hold her close, and play her body. Keep her forever. Woah. What the fuck?
CHAPTER 3
MELODY
I wasn’t sure how this would go. It’s true I acted all big and bad, or at least tried to, while in Kat’s office yesterday, but deep down I had my doubts. Then I walked onto the tour bus, met Leighla and Carter, and fell in love. With both those charmers.
Not like it matters. I’m here to do a job and I’ve done a damn good job of it for the last three weeks. It’s been awesome; I never thought I’d say that about hanging out with a four-year-old. I like kids, but I’m 23, I didn’t think kids were in the stars for me quite yet. I don’t know if Carter thought the same at my age, when he was about to become a father, because he doesn’t talk about Leighla’s mom. I don’t get the feeling he thought he’d be a single father of a four-year-old at 28.
I’m okay with being smitten with this little girl. I try and show her how much she means to me while still being professional. I just can’t admit how I feel about her father. That would be a disaster.
It would be a lot easier if he weren’t the sexiest man I’ve ever seen. He keeps his dirty blonde hair styled back off his face, longer on top than the sides. Then there’s the perpetual five o’clock shadow he has going on. I desperately want to know what his stubble would feel like against my fingers. I can’t start to think about how it would feel between my thighs.
Danger,WillRobinson.Danger!
Here’s the thing. From the moment he touched me, shaking my hand after the guys from SO skittered away to get my stuff out of the car and loaded into the bus, I knew my life changed. He treats me like I’m his. He hasn’t said the words, but I can feel it. It exists between us. It breathes. Worst of all, it moans. This thing between us keeps me on high alert all the time, my body and mind never knowing when I need to use evasive maneuvers to keep some distance and sense of reason. Both are quickly disintegrating.
Leighla nods eagerly and I look over at Carter with a smug as fuck look on my face. Check and mate, buddy. His eyes narrow at me before he flashes me a smile. It’s one of those smiles which shows all his teeth but not in a creepy gross kind of way. No, it’s in a ohyes,pleasestripmeandravagemekind of way. Not good for my sanity, my control…or my panties.
Carter shrugs, “Sounds like a good time to me.” He winks at Leighla, “Should we let Melody pick the color for me this time?”
Leighla giggles, climbs down from the table, scurries over and climbs onto our laps. For a moment we feel like a family. A real one. The one I’ve always wanted. My mom didn’t understand me, but I didn’t understand her either. I took the lessons from her I could, but important ones, like how to treat people and how to give support, I had to learn from friends. I’ve been lucky to have a few good ones.
Lala nods eagerly, “Yes. I think she’ll pick the pink sparkly one for you.”
I can’t help it; I throw my head back and laugh. I give her a secret smile, “I totally will.”
When I look at Carter again, he’s staring at me, soaking me up. I clear my throat and look away quickly. Carter focuses on Leighla and wiggles his eyebrows, “I got something for you.”
Her eyes light up as she jumps up, wiggling excitedly, “What is it? Tell me. Are you going to give it to me? Is it just for me? What is it?”
Her questions become exasperated toward the end, but Carter doesn’t get annoyed and instead smiles. He’s such a good dad. He reaches over next to the couch and pulls a bag up.
He glances at me with a smug smile, “I figured this could be something you could do with Melody.” She pulls a flat box out and looks at it curiously and I find myself doing the same. When Leighla doesn’t seem to get it, Carter explains, “It’s hair chalk. I don’t think dying your hair so you can be twinsies with Melody is a good idea, but you can use this and color your hair.” He looks at me as if I have any say in the matter, “I researched it. It’s safe, non-toxic and washes out fairly easily.”
I nod as Leighla makes an excited squeal and jumps back in Carter’s lap, almost taking his eye out with the corner of the box in
I shake my head because I have no idea. Before I can stop it, his lips slam against mine, insistent and soft, warm and commanding. My brain shuts off; all I am is feeling as I melt into him and part my lips. He doesn’t hesitate in deepening the kiss. It’s more than I thought it would be and I’ve never felt that way about a kiss.
He murmurs against my lips, “I told you because you’re mine; my Melody and I plan on singing with you for the rest of my life.”
I scoff, “I can’t carry a tune.”
He chuckles as he studies my face. He kisses my forehead, “You think I still love her.” I gasp and pull away to look at him. How the hell does he know? He sighs, “It’s all over your face.” He meets my gaze and doesn’t waver, “I don’t love her. I’m not sure I ever did. I’m mad for Leighla. I’m better off without Miriam in my life, but Leighla deserves a mother.”
I blink at him. There is not a single thing I wouldn’t give to be a mother to the little girl who wrapped me around her finger the moment I met her. I shake my head to protest whatever he’s thinking. It’s all over his face too. He thinks it’s the role I should fill.
Thisisjustajob.
He kisses me again, fiercely, fully. I try and resist, try and pull away. When I wrap my arms around his neck and give into it, I know life will never be the same.
anything. I want Melody to fall into the pull between us, not feel forced into it.
Tonight is special because we’re spending the night in a hotel. Not going to lie, I’m looking forward to a real bed and I’m not the only one. Leighla and I are in a two-bedroom suite with Melody next door. I have no intention of letting Melody sleep anywhere other than my bed. Sleep will only come after I tire her out and finally claim her as mine. Because she is.
The elevator isn’t moving fast enough to get me upstairs. We’ve been in the bus for so long and knowing there’s doors, real ones, between my woman and me and little ears is fucking with me. It’s ramping up my need to have Melody bouncing up and down on my cock.
I want to bury myself in her, drown in her and never come up for air.
When the elevator opens, I sprint down the hallway. I’m more amped up than I am before I go on stage. My album is topping charts and my single, “Sticks To You”, has become the song of the summer. Still, going home to Melody and knowing my daughter is safe, sound, and happy is better than those cheering fans.
My hand is on the door, but instead of barging in, I take a deep breath. I’ll never force her, never push her too far, but I am going to have her. It’s what she wants. I see it in her eyes every time she looks at me. She wants this love, this family and she sure as fuck wants me. Naked. In bed with her.
The visual makes me fumble with the door. I can go out and play in front of a venue full of people, but one little woman with teal hair and a smile better than the moment the stars rise over the horizon undoes me completely.
When I open the door, Melody’s head snaps up, her eyes finding mine. I can see how nervous and anxious she is. Her poor lip looks swollen like she’s been abusing it all night. As if that’s not my job. It is and I’m going to show her.
I make sure the door doesn’t slam behind me, but it’s all the time I can spare in getting her body against mine. I eat up the distance between us; it’s not far but feels like an eternity. An illusion, a trick
