Chapter 23

Twenty-Three

P retty

"And that's a wrap," Dorothea, my lead producer said from the other side of the glass. To limit traveling, we invested in a home studio, something I didn't regret as long travels were really stressful, and that stress affected my voice. I certainly appreciated when I could get the work done here. Dorothea had had a team of all women, something that was a rarity in this industry, women I had to really fight for to work with.

I'd worked with countless others, but there was always something about the magic we all made together that made the music we were making something to be proud of. They always worked wonders on polishing up those finishing touches. I exited the booth, swaying to the playback of the song I was most proud of. Sweet Girl . I don't even have to ask myself who inspired that one.

"I think that might be your next hit record. Don't know what's new with you, but we're loving the new sound. For months you've been struggling to find your voice back, and then you hit us with this . Something's got to be up with you. And don't say it's a new wardrobe or diet. I already do enough of that and nothing gets me out of my ruts," Dorothea managed to say in one breath.

It was true. Up until a few weeks ago, I was going back and forth frustrated that the good stuff just wasn't coming. But then a certain someone entered my life, and I just felt alive again.

"Honestly, I think it's because I bit the bullet and hired a nanny. Because of him, I have more time. I'm sleeping better, I'm worrying less. I didn't know how helpful it would be to let someone take care of things. The admiration and support of a good man don't hurt either." Of course, I left out that that man was my nanny/bodyguard, but they didn't need to know that, so long as our work together was on the path of getting finalized.

"Don't you have that show coming up at the concert hall?" My eyes widened to saucers, wondering how I let that slip my mind. I've been working so hard on the music that sometimes it was easy to lose sight of the performing side of things. Especially when I didn't have my manager around to remind me.

"That's right. Ugh! I don't know where I'm going to find a dress so last minute," I said, but thought better of it when I remembered Paddy's sister was a seamstress and dressmaker. I wonder if she took rush orders. Trusting the team to finish up, I excused myself, searching around the whole house for Paddy and Elijah. When I couldn't find them, I figured I might try the roof, since Paddy had gotten better with letting me know when he was taking my son out of the house.

Low and behold, that's where I found them. Elijah was tossing a ball around and Paddy was on the other side wearing a catching mitt, catching them. It always put a smile on my face that nothing about his relationship seemed forced with Elijah. Granted, it did help that they had interests that mutually aligned enough to bond, but even the things Paddy didn't naturally enjoy, he at least pretended for the sake of Elijah. It was hard believing he didn't grow up with a nurturing father, because I was certain he'd be a great one.

"Hope I'm not interrupting anything." Elijah approached me to offer me a hug, as Paddy strolled over in a relaxed stride. He was wearing all black, his mock neck sweater gripping all of those muscles like a wicked good dessert, and his light hair was styled like a prince. Maybe a dark prince was more like it, but he still looked delectable. Especially doing something absolutely ordinary.

"No, we were just about to finish up and get started on his coursework. Did you need something, Mrs. Washington?" he asked keeping the formality up whenever Elijah was near.

"Ummm…I was just wondering if I could talk to you for a minute?" I bent down to meet Elijah. "Guess who's still here? Dorothea and Alice! Why don't you go downstairs and say hello to them?"

Paddy rustled Elijah's thick, coily curls with a promise to meet him downstairs in a bit. The moment he was out of view Paddy grabbed me by the waist and pulled me closer to him, the feel of his lips on mine making my heart pound and my panties wet.

"Just thought I'd sneak that one in there seeing that you've been working all morning and into the day. This is the first time I've really seen you. You look stunning, Pretty. I like your little red number today. It looks nice," he complimented. He was always making note of what colors he liked on me, and I don't think he ever failed to notice when I was in red. He let go of me, leaning against the dinner table we had set up here for parties.

"What can I help you with?" Fingering my gloves off, I don't know why all of a sudden, I felt nervous to ask. Especially since it seemed like she really liked me.

"I know this is a little last minute and I wouldn't ask if I didn't absolutely need it. But I was wondering if your sister órfhlaith made house calls and rush orders. I need a dress for a show I have coming up, and I completely forgot about it. I don't think I can get in something with my usual dressmakers this close to the performance." He crossed his arms.

"You know as your bodyguard, I need to know about your scheduled appearances. Especially given your situation. Where is this performance?" I rolled my eyes.

"I know Paddy. With everything that's been going on lately, I just forgot. But it's downtown at the concert hall. Because I'm from Boston, they make it this big event when I sing there." He shrugged.

"It's local. Gives me a chance to scope out the place. But about the dress, I'm sure she'd love the work. Especially given your celebrity. Might be good for business. I'll give her a ring when I go downstairs." I giddily clapped my hands, grateful that this all would work out, but my mood dampened when I realized I wouldn't be able to walk in with Paddy on my arm.

"I wish you could come with me as my date and not my bodyguard. I'm sure you look so dashing in a tux. You do have a tux, right?" I asked, as I pressed my palms along his chest. Once again, he put his loving arms around me.

" For you , I could get one. It's alright if we can't walk in arm in arm. When you're performing with a big crowd, I think I can get a better eye on you if I'm not walking around, all proud like I'm showing you off to everyone. Besides, I'll still be somewhere cheering you on. Just from a distance keeping you safe." I pouted my lips.

"You're no fun."

"Maybe so, but we'll have our fun afterwards. Once you wow the crowd and come home to me." Giddy with excitement, I reached in to kiss him.

"I forgot to mention that I have a surprise for you, but you have to wait until the night of the show to get it. You might change your mind about fun, because once I give it to you. You'll definitely feel like celebrating." I smiled hard.

"Pretty, I think we might have different versions of what we call celebrating. Yours involves dressing up, getting glamorous, and schmoozing with a lot of posh folk. Mine is getting you naked, and doing all the nasty things I could think of to you. Twice , if I have time. So, unless you mean that, you better not set my expectations too high. And ahh—" He pulled me close and smacked my ass. "Next time you better be careful at who you're rolling your eyes at. Daddy's not above fucking the brat out of you."