Taking the Plunge (28 page)

His cock made sex noises as it moved into her, getting soaked in her wet pussy. After a moment, he went faster, making her bed shake with the momentum of his quick thrusts.

She opened her mouth, moaning and sighing as the feel of
his swollen cock made her pussy light on fire. “Thatcher…”

He squeezed her legs as he moved
harder, making her center feel tender even after the orgasm was over. Thatcher looked into her eyes as his movements became irregular. He bucked inside her a few times as he released. He moaned, his lips slightly open.

Thatcher pulled out then lied beside her.

She moved to his chest, holding him tightly. “I’m sorry.”

He kissed her forehead. “Can we talk about it without you pushing me into a wall now?”

She sat up and looked at him. “It was an accident. I swear.”

Thatcher’s hand glided through her hair. “I know. I’m just teasing you.”

She breathed a sigh of relief. “I would never hurt you on purpose. I love you.”

He kissed her cheek. “I know that too.”

Nancy lied down beside him. “How’s your head?”

“It still hurts a little.”

“Did you take enough pain pills?”

“I didn’t take any.”

“Why?”

“I just avoid it unless absolutely necessary.”

“Why?” she asked.

“It’s harsh on the body. I do natural remedies as much as possible.”

“You’re such a hippie,” she blurted.

“That’s completely true.”

Her hands moved down his chest, feeling the muscle. “That was some good sex.”

“You can’t go wrong with make-up sex.”

“Maybe we should fight more often.”

He smiled. “
I guess we can start a few wars.”

“Thank you for coming over,” she whispered.

“I was worried about you. I’m sorry I was so mean earlier.”

“You don’t need to apologize, Thatcher. I knew you were upset. You had every right to be.”

He nodded. “I think you should talk to your dad.”

“No.”

“Nancy,” he pressed.

“I understand your point of view, but no, it’s not going to happen.”

Thatcher sighed. “I think you should hear him out. If he says everything you’ve wanted to hear, you should give him a new start. If he doesn’t stick with his word, then turn your back on him. If he does keep his word, you can salvage the relationship you used to love.”

She shook her head. “I couldn’t handle it if he hurt me again.”

He stared at her. “Now I understand your hesitance. You’re protecting yourself.”

She nodded.

“I think you should take the risk, Nancy. He’s been calling me every day, asking about you. He even went to the university so he could speak to you but you already withdrew from the school, which was another surprise to him. He couldn’t figure out where you lived and he was growing desperate. I kept your secrets, Nancy. I’m sure he came to the house because he knew you would show up eventually. He seems determined to get his daughter back.”

“I don’t know…”

“You’ll regret if you don’t. He’s your father.”

She stared at the cei
ling. “Only if you are there.”

“So, that’s
a yes?”

“I guess.”

“Thank you.”

“I’m only doing this because of you, Thatcher. If he messes up, I’m gone and I’m never looking back.”

“And I’ll accept that if the event comes to pass.”

She closed her eyes, feeling his warm body against hers. “Thank you for putting up with me. I know I’m damaged goods.”

“It’s okay. I’ll put you back together.”

“You already did.”

27

Thatcher had the guys over for the game and they sat in the living room, watching the TV while they drank their beer. Thatcher bought pizza for his guests, but he made himself a salad wrap for dinner. The guys didn’t question him or tease him about it. They probably didn’t notice.

Nancy stayed in the office while she worked on a painting. When she was done, she walked into the living room and sat in Thatcher’s lap, straddling his hips. She kissed him, rubbing her nose against his, while the game still played on the television.

Thatcher moved his lips to ear. “Can we turn it down for now?”

She pulled away, surprised by the request. “What?”

He returned his mouth to her ear. “I know Derek is supportive of your love for me, but he has his limits. We can get frisky when they leave.”

She sighed while she looked at him, realizing he was right. Nancy moved to the spot next to him and caught Derek glancing at them. His eyes returned to the TV like he hadn’t been watching. Nancy grabbed Thatcher’s beer, which was full, and made a face when she realized it was warm. It must have been sitting out for a long time. She returned it to the table but didn’t comment. Nancy knew Thatcher didn’t like beer. He was obviously just keeping up appearances.

Nancy snuggled next to him while they watched the game.

Coen was impressed by the house, saying he wished he lived there.

“Sydney’s shack is awesome,” Henry said.

“I like it there too, but this place is cool,” Coen said.

Derek drank his beer but said nothing.

“This is boring,” Nancy said. “I’m going to take a nap.”

“Have fun,” Thatcher said.

She went into his bedroom then removed all her clothes then crawled into bed. Nancy hoped the game would be over when she woke up and Thatcher would be in the mood to make love. She could never get enough of him. She closed her eyes and fell asleep.

When she felt the soft touch of Thatcher’s lips on her back, she knew he returned. Nancy sighed but didn’t move or open her eyes. His lips moved to the back of her neck then down to her ass. When she felt his erection against her backside, she knew he was naked. The revelation made her excited.

Thatcher kissed her pussy from behind, licking
and sucking. Nancy stayed on her stomach, loving the way he was waking her up. He grabbed her legs and straightened them before he moved over her. He gripper her hands as he rested his elbows on the bed. Then he stuck his head inside her then pushed slowly, sliding all the way inside.

She gasped loudly, loving the tight fit. His legs were on the outside of her thighs and he started to move inside her, humping and thrusting.

Nancy squeezed his hands, biting her lip so she wouldn’t scream.

“How is this for you?” he whispered in her ear.

“Please—don’t—stop.”

He kissed he
r neck and moved into her hard and fast.

It was better than any other position they tried. It felt deeper and fuller, so tight she thought she would break. His heavy mass kept her pinned down to the bed so she was unable to move. He did all the work, moving in and out of here.

“Right there…”

He continued at his pace and breathed into her ear, his breaths shaky.

She squeezed his hands tighter. “Yeah…yeah.”

Thatcher continued to move inside her until her p
ussy didn’t feel so tight. Then his dick twitched and he came inside her. “Mmm…”

She rested her head on the pillow, overcoming the high she just felt.

Thatcher pulled out of her then lied beside her.

Nancy turned on her back then rested her hand on his chest. “I like it like that.”

“It felt really good.”

“You can wake me up like that whenever you want.”

“Dully noted.”

“How were the guys?”

“Good. I like them.”

She smiled. “I’m glad you like my friends so much.”

“They’re your family. Of course I like them.”

“They mean the world to me.”

“I figured since you tell them everything—besides your not so humble beginnings.”

She shrugged. “People are weird about money.”

“They are. But you think your friends would be?”

“I don’t know. I just don’t want them to treat me differently.”

“I don’t think they would.”

She turned on her side and
moved her hand down his chiseled stomach.

“Are you ready for tonight?” he asked.

She stared at his chest. “I don’t know…”

“I’ll be there the whole time.”

“I just don’t know what to say to him.”

“Just give him a chance to apologize,” he said. “You’ll know what to say then.”

“Okay. How’s your head?”

“It’s better.”

“I’m glad.”

He sat up. “I should get ready.”

“Yeah…I guess I should too.” She went through her clothes and found something to wear. Her heart felt heavy with dread. She didn’t want to see her dad. There was too much pain there. She was tired of feeling unloved and abandoned. Thatcher was the only person who could give her what she needed. She could never trust her father no matter how convincing he was. Every day, she would wait for him to ignore her like he used to. She couldn’t shake the feeling.

Thatcher wore
slacks and a vest, looking professional.

“Why do you look so nice?”

“We’re going to dinner.”

“So?”

“Your dad picked a nice place.”

She looked down at herself. She was wearing jeans and a t-shirt. “I guess I should change.”

“Wear whatever you want. I still have to make a good impression.”

She shook her head. “His opinion doesn’t mean anything to me.”

“I still want his respect.”

“I’m sure you already have it, Thatcher.”

“And if you two can’t work it out, I want him to have peace of mind, knowing I can take care of you.”

Her eyes softened when she looked at him. It was such a sweet thing to say.

They left for the restaurant then arrived in the parking lot. Thatcher kept his arm around her waist as they walked inside. It was dimly lit. The receptionists wore black dresses with heels, and the waiters wore slacks and ties.

Her father was already sitting at a table by the window, a glass of wine in front of him. Nancy felt her heart accelerate when she looked at him. She never felt more uncomfortable in her life. Thatcher guided her to the table and pulled out her ch
air, seating her across from her father. He sat beside her and placed his arm around her chair.

Nancy glanced up to see her father looking at her.

“You look nice,” he said.

She never heard him say that in her life. Since she was wearing casual clothes, she knew he didn’t mean a word
of it. Nancy looked down at the menu.

Thatcher rubbed her left shoulder then moved his hand to her neck, trying to calm her silently. He looked at her father. “It’s nice to see you, Mr. Erikson. How’s the hotel?”

Her father nodded. “Likewise, Mr. Adams. It’s doing good.”

“Please call me Thatcher,” he said quickly.

“Will do,” her father said. “It’s doing well. How’s the gallery?”

“Business is good
like usual.”

Her father drank from his wine then looked at Nancy. “So Thatcher told me you were quite an accomplished artist.”

“I am,” she said simply.

“I would like to see your work sometime.”

“I already showed you and you didn’t give a damn.”

Her father sighed and looked down. “Nancy, I’m not skilled in art. But I was proud of you either way, whether it was amazing or abysmal.”

“I’m going to get the steak,” she said, staring at her menu.

He
r father took another drink of wine, his hand shaking as he held it to his lips.

Thatcher leaned forward. “We had a wonderful time in New York
. Nancy sold all her paintings.”

“Congratulations, kid
do. That’s wonderful.”

“Stop calling me that,” she snapped. “I’m not five anymore. I know you missed the past ten years of my life, but surely you’ve noticed that I hit puberty, graduated from high school, and am an adult.”

Thatcher leaned close to her ear. “Take a deep breath.”

She did then
looked down.

“I’m sorry,” her father said. “I guess I’ll always see you as my little girl.”

She wanted to make another remark but she held it back.

Her father fidgeted with the napkin on the table. “Nancy, I’m really sorry about everything. I know an apology doesn’t erase all my mistakes, but I really mean it. I miss you and want you back in my life. Unfortunately, it was your absence that made me miss your presence.
I want to spend time with you, take you to the movies, eat dinner with you in the kitchen, spend the weekend with you.”

“When mom left, you only took care of me out of obligation, not love.”

He shook his head. “That’s not true at all. I loved having a daughter. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. Of course, I would have done a few things differently.”

She crossed her arms over her chest but didn’t look at him.

“I have something for you.”

“I don’t want your money,” she snapped.

He pulled it out of his pocket then placed it on the table in front of her. It was an envelope that was covered in a tie dye print. “Please open it.”

With shaky hands, she pulled the tab open. It was a gift certificate for a painting class. It was an admission for two people.

Her father stared at her face. “I was hoping you could come with me. It’s on Saturday.”

She stared at it for a long time, feeling the tears bubble under her eyes. She set it on the table. “You remembered?”

“Of course I did, Nancy.”

She sniffed then blinked the tears back.

“Nancy, there’s something about your mother I never told you about. I guess I’ll tell you now. Your mom ran away because she didn’t want to be responsible for another person. She was selfish and immature. It hurt when she left. Years later, she came back and said she wanted to be in your life again, but I suspect it’s because of my recent fortune and your association with it. I told her she could never see you again because of the decision she made. I knew she didn’t really love you, just wanted to use you. I tell you this so you realize how much I love you. I’ve always wanted you in my life. I’m sorry that wasn’t clear all the time.”

She processed the information, taking it in. “Are you sure she wasn’t being sincere?”

“I’m positive. A few years ago she was thrown in jail for multiples charges of shoplifting. I don’t know what happened to her, but I couldn’t let her ruin your life. I was sad when she left, but now I realize it was the best for you. I only want what’s best for you. I’ve never resented my status as a single parent. You’re the single best thing that ever happened to me. I’m sorry I lost sight of that.”

Thatcher moved his hand to hers and squeezed it.

Nancy sniffed. “I—I’m scared. You hurt me so much. I’m afraid you’re just going to do it again.”

Her dad nodded. “I understand why you feel that way. Let’s just take it one step at a time. I’ll do anything to keep you in my life. Please don’t cut me out. I admit I was a horrible parent but I learned my lesson. Please.”

She blinked her tears away then looked at him. “I’ll only give you another chance under one condition.”

He smiled, his teet
h showing and his eyes shining. “You name it. I don’t care what it is. I’ll do it.”

“You’re going to give those people back their jobs and you’re going to pay them a decent wage, none of that minimum wage bullshit.”

His smiled dropped, surprise filling his eyes. “I don’t understand the relevance.”

“The cause of this fallout is your greediness. I know how much money you make a year. I know how much
is sitting in your savings account, doing absolutely nothing. You will change your ways, treat your workers with respect, or I’ll never talk to you again as long as I live. You won’t come to our wedding, you won’t see your grandchildren, and I won’t come to your funeral. So, what’s it going to be? Your money or your daughter?”

He leaned back in his chair, surprise still on his face. Her father placed his hands on the table, lightly drumming the surface. When Nancy looked at him, she saw the confusion in his eyes. The fact that he was hesitant broke her heart all over again. She knew what he would decide.

“You’re getting married?” he asked.

“Don’t change the subject,” she snapped. “Answer me. What’s it going to be?” She kept the emotion from escaping her voice, staying strong.

Her father looked at her, his eyes the same colors as hers, then grabbed her hands and brought them to his lips. “Consider it done.”