Page 15 of Easter Daddy

I sigh. “Maybe. I hope so.” But honestly, I doubt it. I know what I’m feeling, and it’s way more than sexual attraction.

Sleeping with him won’t solve anything. I’ll only end up craving more.

9

LIAM

My chat with my dad was relatively uneventful. The main reason why I went there was to follow her home.

As I sit on my bed, I wonder what he would think if he knew I wanted to get intimate with his stepdaughter. Make love to her, show her the world, and then some. What would he think of the romantic and sexual fantasies that plague my mind?

I cringe at the thought of his response. Not only is she my stepsister, and not only does he see her as a daughter, but she’s also eighteen. I would never get his blessing.

She claims to have a preference for older men, but that could be someone in their early twenties and not a middle-aged man like myself. She’s way too young for me, but that knowledge doesn’t seem to deter my brain from formulating all sorts of excuses to justify seducing her. I don’t think I’ll give in. I think I’ll do the right thing.

At least, that’s what I hope.

I need a distraction, so I make a reservation at Up High. I can’t just dine anywhere because the paparazzi are sleazy bastards. That means I have to go to places they can’t easily access. Luckily, Up High is one of the most exclusive restaurants in my area.

I haven’t had lunch there alone in a while, and I figure it will be relaxing for me. Work ends early on Monday. Perhaps being alone and forcing myself to relax is one way of dealing with the stress in my life, even if just for a little while.

Before I head to the restaurant, I go for a walk in the park, making sure to wear a cap and a pair of sunglasses to cover my face. I find that being here tends to clear my mind.

Normally, I don’t let anyone get between me and what I want, but it’s my father. I can’t just shrug him off and kick him out of my life. I’m pretty sure Lily won’t like that either.

Another thing that’s bothering me is the press. I don’t give a rat’s ass what they write about me, but they’ll have a field day writing about my 18-year-old stepsister. And that’s something I will never allow. I won’t let them hurt her. With those two things in the way, it’s pretty fucking hard to pursue Lily.

Do I want her in my bed and my life? Absolutely, but I don’t want anyone shaming her or dragging her name for being with me. I’ll protect her, no matter the cost. I’ll protect her even if it means tamping down my desire.

Perhaps, one day, things will change. Maybe I just need time. But the question is, should I spend that time avoiding her or trying to gradually get used to her in small doses? Maybe lunch at their house every Sunday? Perhaps, flooding would be best. Being around her to the point where she no longer has this effect on me. But that’s a tricky line to tow. It might end up having the opposite effect. I’m already obsessed with her as it is.

My phone rings in my pocket, and I curse as it pulls me back to the here and now.

It’s my father.

“Hey, Dad.”

“Hey, Li,” he says. He’s excited, I can tell. “So… I have great news!”

“Okay,” I say. “Go ahead.”

“You know that restaurant you’re always going to? Mile High?”

“You mean Up High? Yeah.”

“Well, Lily got a job there!”

I sit there in slight shock and a pinch of dread. I’m not ready to make my decision just yet.

You could always cancel your reservation.

No. I won’t. I can’t avoid her forever. And if I’m honest with myself, I want to see her…badly.

“Isn’t that great, Li?” he asks me with much glee. Even though he can’t see me, I feel my lips curl up into a tight, forced smile.

“Yes,” I say as convincingly as I can, “it is.”

10

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