I open my eyes after my short nap to a darkened room. The TV is still on and it’s bright enough for me to turn over and see that Daddy is no longer in bed with me. I can’t help the tear that escapes my eyes and hiccup that comes from my chest. Daddy always leaves me. He never wakes me to say he has to go. I’m sad, and all alone …

I sat up abruptly. The sun shone brightly into the room, and I squinted against the onslaught of light. My head hurt. I hadn’t had that particular dream in years. Why I was having it now, when I hadn’t thought about it in such a long time?

I needed to take a shower and go out to see if Ky was awake yet. I was a little surprised that I hadn’t woken up with him beside me. I’d sort of hoped he’d sneak in to sleep with me. Shaking off the disappointment, I got out of bed, took a quick shower, and dressed in black leggings matched with a peach, lace tunic. My hair hung over my shoulder in long subtle waves, and I slipped on a pair of knee length boots.

Walking out into the living room, the smell of coffee permeated the air. The table was set with orange juice, coffee, and a bagel with cream cheese—my favorite. Ky was sitting behind The New York Times, but moved it down to see me. I stopped dead in my tracks and stared at him. He was shirtless, his hair still wet from the shower. My mouth started watering, and my nether regions clenched. Ky was beautiful.

“You look hungry.” He paused. “Except with the way you’re looking at me I don’t think you’re hungry for food.” His mouth tipped up into a sexy smirk.

He had me pegged. He certainly would be more appetizing than the bagel, but I would maintain the upper hand here. After yesterday’s incident against the wall, I was determined to prove that he wanted me more than I wanted him.

“Keep dreaming, asshat. I’m craving the coffee, not you.”

He chuckled. “There’s my girl. I missed that term of endearment.”

I rolled my eyes and made my way over to the table. Taking a big long sip of the piping hot coffee, I devoured the bagel he’d so kindly prepared for me.

“How’d you sleep?” he asked.

Not wanting to talk about the dream that had rocked me awake, I answered with a simple, “Good.”

“So what time are we getting started on this sightseeing tour?”

“As soon as we’re done with breakfast, we can take off. I just need to go put a shirt on,” Ky said as he stood up from the table.

“Or don’t,” I dared him.

“Don’t start with me, woman. We have a long day ahead of us, and I’m already struggling here. You look good enough to eat. And stop giving me that smile.”

I laughed and licked my lips, enjoying watching his eyes dart down to my mouth. Oh yes, I was still in control.

Thirty minutes later we headed out, taking a cab to Castle Clinton to get tickets for the ferry to the Statue of Liberty. I had to admit I was really excited to see the sights of the city. I was certain that everyone had to experience New York City at least once in their lifetime. What made my time here even better was that I was doing it with Ky. When the cabbie dropped us off, we boarded the ferry and floated our way to one of the US’s most popular sights. And what a sight it was. Its beauty, and the history behind it, flabbergasted me. Ky had booked us a guided tour and I soaked in everything that was said.

On the boat ride back, I leaned up against the edge of the boat deck, enjoying the cooler fall air and watching the New York skyline draw closer with every wave. I was relaxed and having a great time when Ky came up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and resting his chin on my shoulder. I took a deep calming breath and sank into his embrace. It felt nice, and almost … normal. I was so happy in this moment that I could actually picture myself with Ky for the long haul. I knew he could make me happy, and building a future with him could be something wonderful, but I just didn’t know if I could do it while he was on tour. The fans—and the girls that would be begging for his attention—was something I wasn’t sure I could handle. Even if I could manage to take the leap and be with him for real, I swear I’d cut a bitch if he was groped, manhandled, propositioned, or kissed. For this to work, he would have to be mine. I didn’t share. This didn’t even have anything to do with my issues that surrounded my father, and my fear that he’d leave me, it was me being female. I was a naturally a jealous person, and I’d stake my claim.

The daddy-issues were a whole other problem. Before talking with Em, I hadn’t realized just how much the trauma of what my father did had affected the way that I lived my life. He was never there for me. I had plenty of other family members that supported me throughout my life, but I had to learn at an early age what drugs and promiscuity did to a family. Like in my dream, even when my father would come back around he was still never there, and he would always leave me to pick up the pieces whenever he upped and left again. I’d always wanted my father to play the role that he was supposed to.

When I looked at Ky, I knew he would never be that kind of person to me. He wasn’t the kind of man to lead me on, only to crush me and leave me in the end. And I had to remember that Ky had never touched drugs, or had an alcohol problem, like my father did. That was the catalyst that ruined my parents’ relationship. But I knew that Ky loved me and would be there for me. My heart felt it, but was I capable of believing it?

The ferry moored up to the pier and we got off. Jumping into our second cab of the day, Ky told the man to take us to MetLife Stadium. The Giants game was starting soon. When we arrived, we were escorted up to the suite to have dinner, and watch the game. As a realtor, I’d seen plenty of beautiful houses but this was impressive, and not just because the room was beautiful, but because the service was impeccable as well. I’ve always enjoyed the finer things life has to offer, and this room gave me exactly that. The room had a floor-to-ceiling glass window that looked out over the stadium. The walls were painted in a neutral color with several tables situated along them. Trays of food with sandwiches, cheeses, cookies, and cakes covered the first table. The second table had two plates with chicken marsala and wine. The middle of the room had a black leather couch and two black reclining ottomans with a massive seventy-two inch flat screen on the wall.

Ky guided me into the room, his hand resting on my lower back. We sat down at a small table by the window and a stadium worker served us our plates and wine. When she left, Ky looked over at me and gave me a brilliant smile.

“Are you having a good time?” he asked.

“I am, today has been wonderful.”

We ate our dinner while chatting about anything and everything. It was nice, and I felt at ease with him. Ky gave me some pretty heated looks while I was eating, probably because with every mouthful, I moaned my appreciation. It was the best damn chicken marsala I’d ever had.

Just as we were finishing up he said, “I can’t wait for this game to start. Nobody can beat the Giants.”

“Seriously? I think I just threw up in my mouth. I’m excited to see a game, but the Giants will be beaten by the Cowboys.” I stuck my finger in my mouth, and made a gagging noise.

“What in the hell are you talking about? There’s no way the Cowboys are going to win this with Romo as their Quarterback!”

“Care to make a wager?” I asked, lowering my fork.

“You know I don’t back down from a bet. What do you have in mind?” He raised an eyebrow.

“The Cowboys win, you forget all about this idea of you sleeping in a room by yourself, I want you in my bed. If they lose, well, then I guess we get to stay in separate rooms.”

He chuckled. “You’re a high roller, aren’t you?”