Page 103 of Forbidden

Lane lifts his head, his brow furrowed. “I think I just did. So, stop whining and let me enjoy my breakfast.”

“Yes, Daddy.” I roll my eyes.

Lane pauses, his eyes flashing. “I like that.”

“Oh, hell no.” I laugh so loud, Lane covers my mouth, shooting a pointed look at the closed bedroom door. I push his hand away, still chuckling. “We’ve already established you’re less than a year older than me. And I’m not calling anyone ‘daddy’. Ever.”

Lane just grins at me. “Maybe I can persuade you.”

Smirking, I shove his chest and try to jump down from the counter, but he moves closer, blocking my way. I raise my eyebrows. “You really want to play this game?”

“Game?” Lane asks, his eyes wide with mock innocence. “You mean the game where I’m bigger and stronger than you? Because that’s just life, Rossi.”

My eyes narrow. He might have three or four inches on me in height, but I’m just as strong, if not stronger because of swimming.

Before he can react, I lift my knees and kick out at his stomach, knocking him backwards. I’m not running, though. Jumping down off the counter I grab Lane’s arm and twist it behind him, shoving him up against the wall with a grunt, my arm against his neck. He tries to break the hold, but I grit my teeth and press my full weight against him, keeping him in place.

“Chi è il papà adesso?”I murmur against his ear.

Lane sags with a groan. “Okay. That’s not fair.”

I nip at his shoulder, flexing my hips, letting him feel every inch of just how much he’s at my mercy.

“Should I come back later?”

I smile at Joy’s voice. “I’m just showing Lane who the daddy is.”

“Oh.” Joy shakes her head and moves around the counter to where the coffee has finished brewing. “Yeah, I’m going to need caffeine before dealing with that conversation.”

Pressing a kiss to Lane’s shoulder, I release him and grab a cup. Joy looks delicious, with her thick, dark hair loose around her shoulders and wearing nothing but one of Lane’s t-shirts. “How are you feeling this morning?”

“Great.” Joy grins at me, and I reach out and touch my fingers to the necklace she’s still wearing. “More than great.”

I press a kiss to her cheek as Lane wraps her in a hug from behind, kissing her hair. “It was a pretty great night.”

Lane chuckles and fills a cup with coffee. “I definitely had fun.”

Joy makes a low whimpering sound, and I smirk, my eyebrows raising, even as she turns around and walks toward the couch. “Like that, did you,mia stella?”

“Stop it.” Joy drops onto the sofa and leans her head back. “Let me enjoy my coffee in peace.”

I open my mouth to tease her some more, but then the bedroom door opens and my heart drops to my stomach. Doug walks out, completely dressed. Our clothes are still strewn around the sofas from last night, but it looks like he’s raided Lane’s closet, because he’s found jeans and a sweater from somewhere.

“I’ll give these back to you on Monday,” he says, walking over to the sofa and picking up his shoes.

I look at Lane, but he seems just as confused as me. “Erm, what’s going on?”

Doug glances up at me but looks away just as quick. “I’m heading home.”

“Why?” Joy asks, the hurt evident in the single word, as she watches him from the sofa.

Doug doesn’t answer. Instead, he bundles up his discarded clothes and heads to the door.

“Whoa!” Lane springs into action, reaching the door a split second before him and blocking his way. “Where are you going?”

“Home,” Doug says. “I literally just told you.”

“Yeah, but why?”

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