Page 5 of Lilly's Little Labor Day

“Nowhere near old enough to be drinking. I’m taking this.” Edward reached into the backseat, took hold of the twenty-four pack of beer, and yanked it from the car. With his muscles, it didn’t take much. He held it as if it weighed nothing.

“You treat me like a kid!”

“You are a kid. You aren’t even legal yet. So no alcohol. Trust me, I’m saving you. If you get pulled over, the cops are going to bust you.”

“I’m legal for… other things.” She tried to flash her best come-hither look, but knew she’d probably failed miserably.

Standing there in the driveway of the suburban home, holding the cube of beer, Edward shook his head. “You don’t know anything about that stuff. Keep it that way. You’re too young.”

She folded her arms and gave him smoldering. Or tried to. “I know more than you think.”

“Really? How many guys you been with?”

She gasped, her cheeks instantly turning red.

“Uh-huh. That’s what I thought,” Edward said. He stepped closer, his voice a little softer when he spoke. “Trust me. None of the a-holes at this party tonight are worth losing your virginity to. You can do better.”

Lilly tried to speak but only an embarrassed whimper escaped her throat. She hung her head in shame.

“It’s no big deal. You just don’t need to give it up to any guy who tries,” Edward said. “Now come on. Let me see that smile. You just graduated yesterday. This is supposed to be a fun night of celebrating.”

She nodded and finally found the courage to look him in the eyes again. “Thanks for looking after me while Mom and Dad are away. I was nervous when they left for the cruise this morning. I know you’re busy and stuff. You have a whole company to run. But having you here makes me feel better.”

He smiled. “Don’t mention it. Just don’t do something stupid tonight.” He held up the beer. “So none of this. And leave the guys alone. You hear me?”

“Yes, Sir.”

She instantly regretted those words. Who called their older brother sir? It was weird. She just couldn’t help it. As a submissive, it came naturally. Especially when talking to a man like Edward. He elicited such a response.

She shrank under the stern gaze he gave her. She nearly lost it when he spoke again and the gravity of his words settled over her.

“I might check in on you. So be smart. And if I find you drinking or fooling around with some idiot, I might pull your pants down and give you a spanking in front of all your little friends. Do you understand me?”

“You can’t do that! I’m not a kid!”

He snorted. “Try me. Now go on. Get out of here and have fun.”

“Are you going to tell Mom and Dad?” she said, desperate pleading in her voice. “About the beer?”

He made a show of thinking it over. “Not if you drop it and do what you’re supposed to tonight.”

“I’ll be good! I promise.”

She gave him a hug before getting in her car.

It was at that moment that she knew exactly what Edward was. She understood what was simmering below the surface.

He was a Daddy.

He had to be.

“Oh crap!”

Lilly was pulled from the memories when she accidentally dropped the bowl of cookie dough. It clattered loudly atop the granite island.

“I’ve got to get it together,” she said.

Ms. Duckworth didn’t respond, but the smile on her face told Lilly she agreed.

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