AN:

OK, I planned this chapter in Nevaeh's POV but it didn't work out. So here's the POV you've been dying for.

***

You fucking shitheaded monkeyassed bastard.

I silently mutter curses to myself.

This morning, Nevaeh is eating breakfast in front of me, but I can't get that one word out of my mind.

Daddy.

How was I supposed to react back there in the restaurant after she called me that in such a teasing tone with that small smile on her lips?

How am I supposed to compose myself now?

Fuck. Shit.

Control your mind.

Easy. I've got this under control.

Just like yesterday, I had it under control when I stayed on the table because Nevaeh was already so hungry and had been waiting for me to start our lunch.

Like I didn't have a goddamn boner in my pants.

Like I didn't wish I could have excused myself to go to the restroom and jerk off.

Like I didn't have these words on the tip of my tongue, 'Daddy, huh? I'll show you daddy.'

Yeah. I totally had it under control. What bullshit.

I watch as Nevaeh happily eats her peanut, butter, and jelly sandwich without being aware at all of how much she has affected me.

She takes a gulp of her sweet tea and sighs in satisfaction. Even that little gesture does something to me because I'm still playing yesterday's scene in my mind.

God.

I adjust my shirt collar so that it can give me more room to breathe.

"I guess I have to go now," she chirps, standing up. "I have the earliest class today."

I don't say anything. I just nod, shifting my attention to my plate, which still has my food half-eaten. What have I been doing?

"Are you okay?" Nevaeh's soft voice makes me look up again. Her eyes zero in on my face.

"Yeah?" My voice sounds awfully hoarse.

"It's just..." she falters. Curiosity crosses her expression. "You seem very quiet today."

I don't answer that, because I don't know how to.

"He just hasn't had his morning coffee." Ian fills my cup with black coffee.

He just came to the rescue, so the grin on his face doesn't annoy me as much as usual. I've never thought that this man could grin so widely.

Nevaeh slings her backpack across her shoulder and gives me a pretty smile that would make me the happiest man on earth if I can see it every morning. "I gotta go," she hums. "I'll see you later."

"I'll see you later." I return her smile.

I watch as she walks to the door. I've never thought that those words could sound really good.

I'll see you later.

It's just a simple sentence, but it makes me feel like I can conquer the day. It reminds me that we're going to see each other again.

I don't see any reason why she should find another place to stay in Seattle. Even though she would recover from that one traumatic night, I would be restless if she decided to live alone again. What if the place lacks a security system to prevent any stalker from breaking in?

Since when have I been so concerned about her?

It makes me angry that the threat she should be worrying about is me. Myself.

I'm aware of what my mind has been trying to fight recently, and it has been bothering me.

After I finish eating my breakfast, I stand up from my chair. The door bursts open, and I'm surprised to find Nevaeh striding back into my penthouse.

"My car broke down." She sighs in frustration. "I think something is wrong with the battery. Do you know where I can ask a mechanic--"

"I'll call Ashton to deal with it," I cut her off, not wanting her to trouble herself with something that I can help in no time.

She stares at me, as though she's still trying to absorb my words.

"Do you want me to drop you off on your campus?" I ask, knowing that it would be quite far for her to walk there.

Her university is nearby, but it's not within walking distance.

"I don't want to trouble you," she says hesitantly. "I know that you're busy and might be in a hurry."

"Not at all," I insist. "I can drop you off. I still have time until my schedule for factory visit today."

Nevaeh bites her bottom lip. "If you say so..." she pauses, "I'll go with you, then. Thanks for your help. With the car. I really appreciate it."

Her response makes me want to chuckle. She doesn't have to ask.

We're sitting in the backseat while Sam is driving. I usually drive, but it's going to be a long journey to the factory and I will have to make some important calls in my car.

I can sense that Nevaeh steals a few glances at me, and I wonder if it's because she still feels bad about my dropping her off at college.

It's when her gaze lingers on the window that I ask, "What time will you finish your classes today?"

Nevaeh turns her head toward me. It looks like I just snapped her out of her thoughts.

"My schedule is quite packed today," she says. "My last class will end at six."

"That's around the same time I'll be back after the factory visit," I say. "I'll pick you up?"

I don't know why I swallow my saliva, as though her answer matters.

She doesn't have her car with her, and I just want her to arrive at my house safely. However, I know that her friends can drop her off.

"Okay." She smiles, and I feel a sudden relief in my heart.

A few seconds pass. I can even count it. Five seconds. It's like I'm counting the time carefully before it would be okay for me to open my mouth again.

What the hell is wrong with me?

"How's college?" I ask. "Got a lot of new friends?"

We've talked about her days, but this is the first time I want her to talk more about her friends.

I know that she's close to Ash and Maya, the ones she went to LA with for their project assignment. I wonder about the rest.

Another smile creeps on her lips. "Yeah, everything's great."

I can hear the happiness in her voice.

"I've met really nice people. They know that I'm new. They really helped me adjust to this new environment."

I listen intently, enjoying her spilling out a part of her life to me.

"I'd thought that I couldn't catch up for my studies, but everything has turned out well."

"That's great," I say.

I'm glad that she has helpful friends with whom she gets along well, but I just can't prevent the next question from rolling from my tongue.

"Your friends," I pause. My curiosity kicks in. "Are they mostly girls? Or guys?"

I don't know why the fuck I uttered this stupid question. It doesn't matter if they're girls or guys. What matters is that they're nice to her.

Right?

"Both," Nevaeh says nonchalantly, unaware of the battle going inside my head.

I tell myself to stop being nosy and just shut the fuck up. Yet, I can't help but want her to elaborate.

"But recently, I'm more warming up to the girls," she adds.

"Good," the word slips from my mouth.

Shit.

What the hell did I just say?

I'd spoken so low, it didn't sound like 'Good, I'm glad that you're warming up to your girlfriends'.

Instead, it sounded like 'Good, I wouldn't have to break some guys' necks today.'

Silence falls.

Nevaeh freezes, but then she lets out a soft chuckle, throwing her head back against the seat.

My heart stops. Why is she suddenly laughing?

Does she know it?

Has she figured it out?

Does she finally realize that I'm starting to develop a sickening and unhealthy obsession toward her that makes me want to write myself off?

I can feel my blood draining from my face.

Nevaeh turns to look at me, and her amused expression catches me off guard.

The teasing look that she wore yesterday in the restaurant comes back. I should be relieved that she doesn't feel uncomfortable, but this only reminds me of what happened there.

"Don't worry." She chuckles again. "Daddy."

Sam chokes on his saliva, pressing the brake so suddenly that we're almost thrown forward.

Nevaeh looks at Sam with her eyebrows raised before her eyes travel at our surroundings. Thank God we're at a traffic light, or else we would have caused an accident.

She still has this clueless face. It takes all the power in me to not slide up the partition between Sam and us. I'm thinking about pulling her onto my lap this instant.

Unfortunately, I can't.

My dick has to suffer the consequences.

When the light turns green, Sam gulps and drives again, really slowly this time to avoid the same mistake.

I start throwing questions again, now about her family. It's to remind myself that I shouldn't feel this way for her.

The car stops in front of the gate of her university. Nevaeh smiles cheerfully, opening the door.

"Thanks for dropping me off. I'll see you later." She steps out of the car and turns around to face me.

"I'll see you later." I smile despite already knowing how long the journey will feel after she leaves me in this torture. "Heaven."

She stares at me for a couple of seconds before closing the door. I sigh, leaning back against the seat as I close my eyes.

The car moves again, and it's indeed going to be one hell of a journey.