Page 44 of Spoiling Lillian
Lillian rises and climbs onto my lap, straddling me again. She likes to do this. I like it, too, but the temptation of her naked pussy against my crotch is almost more than I can bear.
I grab her hips to keep her from squirming. “Sit still, naughty girl, and answer my question.”
She sighs dramatically. “He’s thirty-six. But I mean it when I say he’s old. You can ask Simone.”
I chuckle. I’m not offended. She’s right. There are plenty of men in their mid-thirties who are old. Thank God I’m not one of them. I’m going to need to stay young for a long time to keep up with this woman.
When I pull myself together, I ask, “How serious was this?”
“They were planning an engagement party.”
“You’re kidding.” I didn’t realize things had gone that far.
She shakes her head. “No. I knew in my heart there was no way I was going to marry that idiot. I wasn’t the least bit attracted to him, and I doubt he gave a shit about me. It was simply understood that our marriage would be beneficial to both families.”
“So you left?”
“Oh yeah. I snuck out in the middle of the night and never looked back.”
“Have you heard from them? Do they know where you are?”
“I haven’t heard a peep. They never contacted Simone after she left. I’m hoping they think I’m soiled goods now, not worth coming after. I suspect they know where we are. Or at least, they know we’re in Seattle. But they haven’t tried to call or text.”
I grip the small of her back and take deep breaths. I don’t like this situation. “And this Herman guy? You don’t think he’s pissed?”
She shrugs. “He might be, I guess, but honestly, why would he care? I’m just some girl his parents told him to marry.”
I stare at her, thinking. Wondering if she’s being too lackadaisical about Herman and her parents. “Camden knows about this?”
“Yeah. He was worried at first, but it’s been weeks. Not a peep.”
“That’s all well and good for him. He has his Little girl safely in his home with security and an alarm system. Meanwhile, my girl is living in this unsecure apartment building.” I’m frustrated and nervous now.
She slides her hands up and down my chest. “It’s a safe building,” she tells me gently. “No one can just walk in the front doors. Plus, I have an alarm, and I always lock the door.”
I search her eyes. Am I overreacting? My skin is crawling. I knew she left home, but I didn’t know all the details. She’s never wanted to talk about it before. I get why. What a mess.
“Please don’t freak out. I’m fine. If Camden were worried, he never would have let me stay in this apartment. It’s not like my mom is going to fly here and kidnap me. My dad barely has the balls to tie his own shoes without her permission. Herman is a wimp. There’s no way he would come halfway across the country to drag his wayward fiancée home. I’m nothing to him. Just the daughter of his father’s business acquaintance.”
I draw in a deep breath. Maybe she’s right. But I don’t like that it’s been nearly two months and neither her parents nor the fiancé have tried to contact her. That has my hackles rising.
I try to shake off the unease. Lillian is right. Camden has known about this Herman character for weeks. He would not have let Lillian stay in Simone’s apartment if he hadn’t thought it was safe.
Gripping Lillian’s bottom, I change the subject. “I need to feed you, sweet girl.”
She gives me a huge grin. “Be careful. That’s a very Daddyish thing to do.”
I chuckle. “Baby, I may not have all the Daddy qualities, but I’m learning. And I’ve already told you. I’m most definitely your Daddy. It doesn’t matter that it’s not a role I’ve ever held before. It is my role now.” I stand, once again carrying my naughty girl.
She’s going to kill me with this lack of clothing, but what an amazing way to die.
Chapter 18
Lillian
* * *
Bryson is quieter than he’s been since I met him. Maybe it’s because he gets that way when he’s focused, but I don’t think making boxed mac and cheese is stressful enough to require much focus.
