Page 100 of Never Fall for an Angel

“Did Miss Pat teach you that?” I chuckle.

“No. Mr. C.”

My heart flutters in my chest, the familiar burn on my skin at his proximity alerting me of his presence before I even see him. Peering back over my shoulder, I see him leaning in the doorway, watching me with a strange look in his eye. Pride? Possessiveness?

Something that definitely shouldn’t be there. Not between Christian and me.

“All done,” I say after a moment, and Lily squeals, rushing over to a mirror with a crack in the center to inspect my braid job. I’ll be honest—I’m not the best, but she doesn’t seem to care, beaming ear to ear and touching the small pink bow lightly.

“How do I look, Mr. C?”

“Like a princess,” Christian murmurs, winking at me when she twirls. “Miss Pat’s waiting for you,” he says. “Said you always help her with dinner.”

“Oh, yes. I’mverybusy.” She huffs like she’s got a full itinerary of tasks that need to be completed for the day. “I have to make the pudding, and then I need to roll out the dough for our bread.”

She starts to hurry out the door but pauses, spinning and rushing back to me when I stand from her bed. The force behind her little body colliding with mine nearly sends me falling back on my ass when she hugs me.

“Thank you, Mrs. C.”

I force myself to swallow and not let the tears that gather in my eyes fall down my cheeks.

“Anytime, Lily.”

CHRISTIAN

You shouldn’t lie to them.”

“I was wondering how long it would take you.”

She narrows her gaze on me across the car and I don’t have to look at her to know her cheeks are bright red.

“Well, I amnotMrs. C,” she huffs, leaning back in the seat.

Not yet.

“Some of the girls get a little . . . attached.”

“So, you used me,” she points out, and I make no move to deny it.

“Shall we even the playing field, little devil? I can think of plenty of ways you can use me in return.”

“You’re impossible,” she groans, brushing a hand over her face to hide her smirk.

“You’re beautiful.”

She shakes her head, turning back forward, and I chuckle under my breath.

So easy to rile up.

“So, some of the girls get attached . . .” she says, and I can tell she’s nervous to ask. One glance at her, and I see her shifting in her seat. “Lindsay, or whatever her name is. She seemed . . .”

“Attached?”

She nods, biting her lip between her teeth.

I cock a brow at her, and she avoids my grin.

“This new side of you is turning out to be my favorite.”

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