Page 25 of Lilly's Little Labor Day

“Nothing.”

“Uh-huh. You’re not even jumping. I can tell something is on your mind. Is it work stuff?”

For a moment, he thought of lying, but then remembered his convictions. Honesty was always the best policy.

“No.”

“Then what is it?”

“Nothing you need to concern yourself with.”

“Hmm. Well, I can’t make you tell me, but I can make you jump.” She hopped toward him.

He chuckled. “You can’t make me do anything.”

“Wanna bet? You think you’re tougher than me just because you’re a Daddy and I’m a Little?”

It was evident she realized what she’d said as soon as the words left her mouth. Rather than address it, though, she seemed to select diversion tactics. “Look at how crazy I’m jumping!” she yelled.

She went high, extended her arms, and kicked her legs as she came toward Edward. She lost control and toppled into him. They both went down, tangled up and rolling across the squishy, uneven surface.

They landed with Edward on top.

They gazed into each other’s eyes. Their lips hovered mere inches from each other.

That’s when Edward lost all willpower.

The man who had taken on corporate raiders and hostile takeovers—and even led a few of his own—was completely powerless to resist the call of sweet Lilly.

He lightly pressed his lips to hers. She returned the kiss, wiggling her arms free from beneath him and wrapping them around his neck.

The kiss turned into a long, lusty one that left them both breathless.

And reeling.

Edward didn’t know where they’d go from that moment, but he knew two things.

He’d screwed up royally.

And nothing between them would ever be the same.

Chapter 13

The next several days passed uneventfully, with neither Edward nor Lilly acknowledging the kiss.

Edward tried hard to rein in his Daddy instincts. Lilly did the same with her Little tendencies. They slept in separate beds and had a pleasant time but generally kept one another at arm’s length.

In fact, nothing was said at all about their earlier encounters until it came time for Edward to leave.

“Mom and Dad will be home soon,” he said.

Part of him felt weird even saying such a sentence. “Your mom and my dad will be home soon,” would have had a better ring to it. At least it would have made him feel less conflicted.

“I’m all good. Thank you for staying with me,” Lilly said.

They stood there in the entryway, looking at each other.

“It was good spending some time with you, sis,” he said.

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