Like Father, Like Daughter

Vanessa wondered how Roarke interacts with his daughter, the little time she had spent with Ari so far, the girl had asked so many questions and she herself had spoken at length, wondering how conversation between Ari and Roarke looks like.

The lovely girl is quite a talker and Roarke which she knows hardly moveschis mouth, the jerk would rather grunt and makes gestures as if everyone can read his mind than converse.

"Ari, your dad is right though. A person who draws is called an artist"

"Huh?"

"Yes, can we say doctors are called doctors because they doc?

Ari burst into laughter, "is there anything like doc?"

"See what I mean. Same way we don't call them treaters, even though they treat"

"Oh true" understanding Nessa's s logic, she nodded her head vigorously. "So, I'll become an artist when I grow up, not a drawer" she finalised.

"Good job!" Nessa declared with a thumb up.

Vanessa looked at the lowest chest of drawers where she keeps her goodies, she had wanted to offer Ari a lollipop but was wondering if it was appropriate to offer her edibles without the consent of her father and, at the time she was internally having the debate Ari told her the reason she wasn't in school initially.

She popped a mint flavoured lollipop in her mouth and went back to concluding the weekly report.

Some minutes went by and she took another mint flavoured lollipop, I have a theory to test, she thought as she stood. "Ari, I want to quickly drop this off. I'll be right back"

She raised her hard to wave her off. An act which reminded Vanessa of how Roarke did the same thing few weeks ago. You're your father's daughter.

Nessa greeted Roarke's secretary who waved her in with, "he had been expecting you" look, she gave a quick knock on the door and stepped it but not before quickly unwrapping the candy and stuck it in her mouth.

Vanessa's perfume hit him on his nose before she got to his line of vision. Wanting to reduce the tension that surrounds them immediately she entered, Roarke cleared his throat, he gave an appreciative glance at the hair which was let down, just the way he likes it, he thought.

Wearing a slim fitted lavender gown with white design. Her purple shoes matches the hair band on her wrist.

He knew she always carry at least one hair band with her, if it is not parking her hair, it will be around her wrist.

Vanessa looked at Roarke politely, still wondering how he engages in conversation with Ari, although she doesn't know the story behind Ari's birth mother and her upbringing, but she was impressed that Ari is not one of those bratty kids who misbehaves because of their financial background.

Roarke may be a lousy boss to her, she's glad he's a good father to his kid.

Her mind suddenly went back to what happened between them right here in his office and she immediately felt hot, remembering the close space they shared for a few seconds and how her legs almost buckled.

She readjust her sitting position, Roarke in that moment stretched his hands to collect the report from her, their hands touched.

Roarke felt the heat from the brief touch and his mind also went to the encounter they had in his office. Their eyes caught and held, Vanessa sucked on the lollipop and Roarke wished he could replace it with his mouth.

He bet he will be able to suck her lips and lick off the sweet mint flavour of the lollipop he smelt off her tongue. With the image of her sucking the lollipop playing on his mind, he cleared his throat and shook his head to clear the naughty thoughts off.

Vanessa took out the lollipop and suck on her lips, "could you stop doing that?" Roarke snapped at her.

Looking lost, like she was unaware of what he could be talking about,Tori strategy is working!

Tori had suggested this morning again that she should try using lollipop as a form of distracting him and drawing attention to her lips.

Looking all innocent, "doing what?"

Frustrated that he was can't explain what he mean without letting her know he was drawn to her lips or he's easily distracted, he closed his eyes briefly.

Vanessa smiled with satisfaction, seeing the frustrated look on his face thrilled her. She watched as Roarke quickly scanned the report, waiting for him to ask questions.

"Good, you can leave." She stood up to leave and he asked, "How's Ari, I hope she isn't disturbing?"

"Oh no, she isn't" Vanessa assured him. Seeing the concerned and caring look on Roarke face was surprising. She had never seen him with this kind of humane and soft emotion before, one would almost think he is a nice man.

She looked intently at him and her she felt pleased and warm, seeing the loving expression on Roarke, he looked almost attractive. This is a pleasant side of Roarke she wished he shows often.

Who would have thought that his moody boss can muster such a beautiful smile.

Roarke caught himself and quickly schooled his features back, oh, the grumpy boss is back. Vanessa thought.

"Thank you, that will be all." He dismissed, "I'm grateful for tolerating her"

"Oh, it's nothing. She's just a lovable and friendly girl" she commented while moving out the door.

"Unlike her father" she muttered, but purposely loud enough for him to hear before closing the door behind her.

Nessa trotted back to her office, noticing the change in her body heat after she left Roarke's office. The hotness she felt has subsided. Not that his office AC is broken because it was working perfectly fine, it can't be because she was in a close proximity with him that could cause it, can it?

She had been attracted to men but she usually doesn't feel breathless whenever she's close to any of them. Perhaps it is his intimidating aura which he exudes all the time that makes her breathless.

Promising herself never to let his appearance make her gasps for breath again, she smiled as she enters her office where Ari had been waiting.