Page 7 of Lilly's Little Labor Day

Twenty-one.

She didn’t always act like it. Case in point: he was having to babysit her while his dad and stepmom went away for a week. She’d finished college, getting a teaching degree, but still lived at home. She’d never liked being on her own. He got it. Some people have anxiety. But still—it was time she started taking some “Big girl” steps.

It was inconvenient—not to mention annoying—that he had to drop everything and come babysit a grown woman.

But that’s what I want. To care for, protect, and cherish someone. To find a Little cutie who relies on me to meet all her needs.

“Not her!” he said aloud, slapping a balled fist against the leather-covered steering wheel. Pain reverberated up through his hand. He gritted his teeth.

“She isn’t a Little,” he said, this time calmer.

And what do I care if she is? he pondered silently. Her mom is married to my dad. That makes her my… he groaned, cutting off his own thoughts with a shake of his head.

He looked into the rearview mirror, staring into his own eyes. “You’ve got this. You’ve gone through a lot tougher. Get your shit together.”

He shook his head one last time before cutting off the ignition.

He’d faced down hostile boardrooms. He’d taken over entire corporations. He’d absorbed rivals’ assets. In the business world, he was respected. Even feared by some. He played by the rules and didn’t cheat—but he was tough. A leader who didn’t hesitate to throw his weight around.

Now, though, he felt almost helpless. As if he were about to face the toughest challenge of his life. And he didn’t want to admit the stakes. Didn’t want to acknowledge even to himself what he suspected.

Because it sure seemed like Lilly was the sweet Little he longed for. The one he wanted to hold, dominate, and spoil.

The Little of his dreams.

Chapter 4

The doorbell chimed, giving Lilly a fright.

“He’s here!” she said giddily.

She dashed from the kitchen, unlocked the front door, and threw it open.

“Edward!”

She hooked her arms around his neck and squeezed tightly. He returned the embrace, but it wasn’t nearly as enthusiastic on his end.

“Hey, sis,” he said.

Why does he sound so aloof? she wondered. She finally decided it didn’t matter. He was always that way to an extent—except when he was bossing her around. He was pretty good at that.

She pulled away and tried hard to control her breathing. She wasn’t sure why she was so excited. It had been a few months since they’d seen each other. But it was more than that.

Was it the way his knotty, corded muscles had pressed back hard against her hand as she’d rubbed his back? Was it all the Daddy energy he exuded? Whatever the case, she made a mental note to get herself under control.

“Thanks for coming. I know you probably have a million other things you could be doing,” she said with a laugh.

“I am busy,” he noted without a smile.

“Oh.” A heavy silence settled around them as they stood in the entryway, just beside the staircase, sizing each other up. “I’m sorry, Edward. I know I’m all grown up now. I just still get nervous staying by myself and—”

“It’s okay,” he said. He at least offered a smile, but it was slight.

Better than nothing, Lilly noted silently.

She perked up. “Do you smell that? Smells good, doesn’t it?”

He nodded, still showing no excitement.

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