Daisy Penelope Bloom, a young American woman living in Liverpool, Britain, across from her best friend Melody Price. Mel's father, John Price, has been away on a year long mission. When he returns, he finds his daughter all grown up, and his daughte...
"You can't fight the government, Daisy Penelope Bloom."
'Gasp!' "Did you just use my full name?! And I can try," Daisy snorts but screeches as John leans against the doorframe, muscular arms crossed over his chest.
"You do that and I'll have to take you out myself, little one."
"Take me out, like... On a date, or with a sniper rifle? 'Cause I'm down for both."
"Daisy!" Melody facepalms.
John chuckles, the sound deep and rumbling. "Look, I just want to keep you safe. Fighting the government is no joke, Daisy."
Daisy feels a jolt of fear, but it's quickly overridden by annoyance. She's tired of being treated like a child, especially by someone who's been starring in her most X-rated dreams lately. "I'm not an idiot, Captain. I know the risks... Danger tastes like blood, you know. And I've always liked licking my own wounds."
Melody giggles, oblivious to the double meaning behind Daisy's words. "You two are so dramatic," she says, shaking her head. "But seriously, Daisy, maybe lay off the tax conspiracy theories for a bit, yeah?"
"You're no fun, Mel. Ever since your precious daddy came home, you've been a total stick in the mud." Daisy pouts and pulls a blanket closer to her face.
John's gaze lingers on Daisy, the playful banter not quite hiding the edge in her voice. He knows she's joking, but he can't help the sudden protective instinct that flares up inside him. "Alright, truce. But if you're going to start a revolution, you better include me in on the planning," he says with a wink, trying to lighten the mood.
She blushes, unable to stop her pout from turning into a cute little smile. "It's a deal, Captain."
The rest of the evening passes in a tense dance of glances and forced laughter. Every time John looks at Daisy, she feels like he's peering into the deepest, darkest corner of her soul, seeing the things she's desperately trying to hide.
She's grateful when Melody suggests they all watch a movie, the dim lights and loud noises offering a temporary reprieve from the heavy silence that's settled over the kitchen. They retreat to the living room, the oversized couch swallowing them up as they settle in for the night.
Daisy ends up nestled between Melody and John, their bodies so close she can feel the heat of his thigh against hers. She tries to focus on the screen, but her thoughts keep drifting back to that fateful night.
As the movie plays on, John's hand finds its way to Daisy's knee, his thumb idly stroking her soft skin. She stiffens, her breath hitching in her throat, but doesn't pull away. Instead, she watches Melody, her heart racing as she tries to gauge her friend's reaction. But Melody seems engrossed in the film, oblivious to the electric current flowing between her father and her best friend.
Daisy's mind is racing, her body betraying her with every involuntary shiver that passes through her. What does this mean? Is he playing with her? Or is he just being a comforting presence? She can't tell, and the uncertainty is driving her wild.
Daisy nervously chews on her bottom lip as she subtly shifts her hips, her body temperature rising rapidly from his touch. She can feel the moisture building between her legs, a traitorous response to the man she knows she shouldn't be feeling this way about.
The fabric of her shorts is almost unbearable against her skin, the friction driving her closer to the edge of sanity. She tries to keep her breathing even, not wanting to alert Melody to the maelstrom of emotions she's experiencing. But with every stroke of John's thumb, she feels herself losing control.
The movie reaches a climax, and the sound of a gunshot makes Melody jump, her hand flying to her chest. "Jeez, that was intense," she says, looking over at Daisy with wide eyes.
John's hand freezes on Daisy's knee, his gaze flicking to her for a brief moment before returning to the screen.
Daisy's heart feels like it's going to hammer out of her chest, her pulse echoing in her ears like a drumline. She can't believe she's here, in this moment, with her best friend's father touching her so intimately. It's wrong, but it feels so right.
Daisy glances at Melody for help, feeling like she's either about to implode or jump John.
Melody stands up and yawns dramatically. "Man, I'm exhausted. You ready for bed, Daisy?"
"Hell yes," she replies quickly. Daisy jumps up so fast that she nearly knocks the coffee table over. She needs to get out of there before she does something she'll regret.
"Goodnight, dad."
"Goodnight, Captain," Daisy says, her voice barely above a whisper as she avoids eye contact.
John nods, his gaze lingering on her a moment longer than it should. "Goodnight, girls. Don't stay up too late." The words hang in the air like a challenge, and Daisy wonders if he knows just how late she's planning on staying up, with her hand between her legs and his face burned into her mind.
"No promises."
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