Page 30 of Daddy Issues

“Your confidence and how you came on to me was so sexy, Hails. I love that you take charge and go after what you want. I’m a strong man, but I never stood a chance saying no to you.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. In fact, I went out that night for a hookup because I couldn’t get you out of my mind.”

Her eyes widen, shock flickering across the features of her face.

“You heard me, baby.”

“You aren’t lying?”

“Would never lie to you. I’d come home to you looking so sexy and I couldn’t concentrate on anything else, couldn’t keep my eyes off you. You know how many times I jerked off to thoughts of you?”

“I had no idea . . . I thought it was one-sided. At least until the night at the hotel.”

“That night was the culmination of plenty of weeks of pent-up desire, Hails, and it was the best sex I’ve ever had.”

She releases a breath, her pussy clenching around my semi-hard dick where it stays sheathed inside her. I fucking love cockwarming with her after sex. It’s not something I’ve ever done before, or hell, even thought to do, but the desire to stay connected to Hailey like this is near primal.

She’s the first to doze off, and as much as I try to convince myself, I can’t pull out and leave her. So, I do the one thing I know I shouldn’t—fall asleep, exactly where I want to be without an ounce of guilt this time.

CHAPTER9

hailey

Weeks pass,and I couldn’t be happier. A day hasn’t gone by where Graham hasn’t ended up inside me or fallen asleep in my bed next to me after we spent hours talking. He’s attentive in a way that I should have assumed but never imagined. He asks me about my goals and dreams, checking in a few times a week if I’ve heard from schools.

His sexual appetite for me can’t be satiated, and while my best friends were right—I’m sore—I wouldn’t change a thing. Being craved so carnally by the man I’ve fallen in love with makes me feel powerful and confident.

Our secret has stayed between us, and we’ve been so careful not to be overly flirtatious in front of Mila—although I’ve caught her giving us the side-eye on more than one occasion—and we haven’t been on any dates since the first night together at the hotel. While I wish we could, the thought of people finding out about us is terrifying. Especially how it could ruin Graham’s relationship with my dad.

Speak of the devil. My phone blares “The Imperial March” from its place on the counter. Snatching it up, I click accept.

“Hey father unit, how are you?”

“Hailey. It’s your mother.”

Oh, blech, yuck, ew, can I rewind and not answer?

I sigh loud enough so that she can hear my displeasure. I’m still unhappy with her after everything has gone down with my sister, Hannah. I’ve never given her attitude before, but I’m just not in the mood to hear the backhanded, belittling comments that I’m typically really good at brushing off.

“Hello, Lady Tremaine, how can I be of service to you?”

“I see you’ve picked up Hannah’s snark. Lovely. I’m sure that will get you far, Hailey. At least I’ll have one daughter left who appreciates me.”

“Oh, I assure you, it doesn’t have anything to do with lack of appreciation, Mother, and everything to do with your unattainable expectations and lack of genuine care for our happiness.”

“Ahh. Well, I can feel the migraine coming along so I’ll make this short. Father’s Day is next week and I am hosting a brunch for your father. It’s the last event we will have before our move out of this frigid, gloomy town.”

“Sounds like a party. What can I bring?”

“Yourself, Hailey. Please don’t bring anything. We all know you can’t cook. Can I trust you’ll pass the invitation along to Graham, or do I need to call him to make sure he gets word?”

“Of course I will let him know, Mother. Please rest, I wouldn’t want that migraine to affect your move.”

“See you soon, Hailey.”

Hanging up the phone, I drop it onto the counter and lay my head flat against the cool countertop. Ugh. There’s no getting out of this and it’s going to suck. Dinner with my entire family plus Graham? Kill me now. Our little bubble is about to be popped. Nausea passes through me quickly and I stand up, pressing my hand to my stomach.

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