Page 13 of Easter Daddy

Nodding my head, I walk past him and to the fridges of the little shop, only to see that there’s no Canada Dry. That’s disappointing. It’s my favorite ginger ale out there.

I start wondering if he likes it, too. How much do our tastes align?

Would he like howItaste?

What. The fuck. Is wrong with me?

“They have Schweppes,” I hear a voice say behind me. I’m so on edge tonight that I jump slightly.

I gasp and turn to see him standing there, still holding the mask and snacks. He frowns when he sees my hand on my chest. “Huh? Oh, right. Yeah. Thanks.”

I reach into the fridge and pick up the beverage, my heart racing in my chest because of his proximity. Why does he have to have this effect on me?

“Are you alright, Lily?” he asks, his voice husky and deep. It’s beautiful, alluring, and so damn sexy. I want to hear that voice telling me all sorts of sinful, filthy things. That I’m a good girl, or maybe, even that I’m naughty, as he sinks his cock into me.

That he loves me. Wait, what?

“Yes,” I lie. I’m not okay. I’m a pathetic mess every time he’s around me, and he seems so collected, so composed, even though he’s attracted to me, too.

But what if… what if I’m imagining his attraction to me? What if it’s just wishful thinking, and when I look into his eyes, I’m seeing something that isn’t there?

“Alright,” he says. “Let’s go.”

He’s a gentleman. Offering to do this for me only shows me how sweet and kind he is, and it makes me like him even more. He’s so much more than simply sexy. He’s sexy and sweet, which is a deadly combination.

I follow him, walking behind him as I imagine the muscles of his back flexing under his shirt. I’ve never seen him in a state of undress but from what I saw through his clothes at my party, his physique is godlike. He’s probably very strong. Strong enough to pin me down as he drills into me—

Stop. Stop it now.

When I get to the cashier, there’s a boy probably about a year or two younger than I am, and he gives me a slightly flirtatious smile. I offer a polite smile back but try to keep it strictly friendly so he knows I’m not interested. I hope he doesn’t ask for my number, and luckily, he doesn’t.

“He likes you,” Liam comments as we walk to our cars.

“I know, but I’m not interested in him.”

“He’s in your age group.”

“He’s too young for me. I like men who are older than I am.” Too late, I realize that I’ve just entered dangerous territory. I hope he doesn’t feel as if I’m referencing him, that I’m being forward because I genuinely was not.

“Hmm.” What could that mean? He doesn’t say anything else, though, and neither do I, deciding it would be best if I just keep my mouth shut.

When we get to our cars, he finally speaks again.

“I’ll see you when we get there. I’ll probably stay a while to chat with my father.” I’m secretly glad to hear that he’ll be staying a while because I genuinely like being around him.

But it is with a slight sadness that I realize he would probably want to speak to his father alone. I won’t be getting any quality time with him tonight, it seems.

As I drive back home, I look into the rearview mirror now and then, glancing at him to see how far behind he is. He trails me closely, being directly behind me all the way there, not once allowing another car to get between us.

Once we arrive at the house, I let us through the gate with my gate remote. We both park, exit our cars, and walk to the garage entrance together.

“Thank you,” I say to him as I unlock the door with my key.

“You’re welcome,” he responds. I open the door and step inside, only to see my stepdad sitting in the foyer with his phone. He likes to just sit there sometimes, on the fainting couch.

“Hey, Uncle Jax,” I say to him.

“Hey, kiddo, you’re finally home. Li? What are you doing here?”

---