Page 10 of Lilly's Little Labor Day

“Yeah,” she said.

A heavy moment ticked off the clock before she spoke again.

“I guess I’m kinda weird for still having stuffed animals, huh?” She laughed, but it was obviously forced. “I just thought it would be kinda cute to have it in a diaper. That’s all.”

“Sure,” he said. “It’s cute. I guess.”

She sucked in her bottom lip and nodded. Her phone dinged, drawing both of their attention.

“Who is that?” Edward asked.

“Oh, it’s just Blake.” She smiled as she checked the screen.

Who the hell is this Blake? Is she seeing someone?

Edward reminded himself it was none of his business. She wasn’t his. She couldn’t be his. Why the hell should he care one way or another?

Still, he couldn’t keep from getting in her business. Maybe it was that overprotective big brother thing. That’s what he told himself, anyway.

“Who’s he?”

She smiled coyly. “None of your business.” She playfully stuck her tongue out.

Edward’s stomach muscles clinched tightly. His cock surged once more. Damn, that cutie was way too much. He needed to finish what he’d just started. Maybe then, after spraying his load, he wouldn’t be wound so tight.

“I’m taking care of you,” he countered. “So it is my business.”

Lilly backed away from the bathroom door, retreating deeper into Edward’s old bedroom. “You aren’t taking care of me. You’re staying with me. There’s a difference.”

He shook his head. “You aren’t capable of staying alone. So I’m here. I’m taking care of you. Now who is Blake.” His words were lined with steel.

He realized the comments had stung her a little, but he didn’t apologize. He was just being honest. She in fact could not take care of herself.

“He’s just a guy I met online. We’re going on a date tonight.”

“What?” he said, his voice rising as he stepped forward. “Have you ever met this guy in-person?”

“Not yet,” she said.

“And you’re just going to go out with him tonight?”

“That’s what I said. It’s a date.”

Oh, he wanted to sit down on the bed, drape her across his knee, and wear that little bottom out hard. Instead, he said, “Absolutely not.”

“Why?” she said.

“He could be a psychopath for all you know. It’s too dangerous.”

“I’m twenty-one! I can do whatever I want!”

“Then you can stay by yourself,” he said. “Wish I would have realized that before I drove all the way down here.”

“Edward!” she said. “I’m sorry. Please don’t go.”

He hated seeing her so upset. It took every ounce of willpower he had not to take her in his arms. He wanted to wipe those tears away. To shower her with a thousand kisses. But he couldn’t. Not now. Not ever. So he stood there looking at her.

“Fine,” he said. “I’ll stay. And you can go. But you’ll give me the details of where you’re going. Understand?”

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