Page 18 of Easter Daddy

“Like?” I ask.

“That I had the parents I had. That I got to go to university, that I got the opportunities I did. I met the right people, the right investors to help me along, investors who I would be nowhere without. Back when I started up, we didn’t have Kickstarter or Indiegogo, or GoFundMe. Either you met the right people, you got connections, or you sank. And I was lucky enough not to sink.”

“You still need luck with crowdfunding,” I say. “You need it to be seen by people who want to invest in your project. But I see your point. It makes it easier.”

“Yes,” he says. “It does.”

He clears his throat. “If you want, you can work at the company with us until you go to university. That job will suit you better than working as a waitress.”

“It would, but I don’t want a job just because I’m your stepsister.”

He smiles slightly as he looks at the road ahead of him.

“I figured you’d say something like that, but you need some amount of help if you’re gonna make it in this world, Lily.”

“I know, just not that much help. I want to feel like I earned it.”

“Fair enough.”

He doesn’t say much else on the way home, and when we get there, the other cars are gone. My mother and stepfather aren’t here yet. That’s to be expected.

“What time does Mauve usually get home?” he asks me.

“Mom usually gets home at about eight. Uncle Jax at about seven.”

“So we’re alone,” he points out.

We look into each other’s eyes, and I suddenly feel it. The electricity crackling between us, the flame of desire flickering at our skin. I see it in his eyes, the lust and adoration, and he leans forwards slightly.

I close my eyes, wanting more than anything for him to kiss me.

“You can say no,” he murmurs in a gravelly voice, giving me the chance to back out of it. “You can—”

“Kiss me,” I command.

And he does. It starts slow and unhurried, his tongue exploring my mouth, tasting every inch of me. But the moment I clutch his shirtfront and moan, something snaps in him.

He pulls me closer, his hands on either side of my face. His kiss becomes frantic, demanding. I match his passion with my own, and when we finally separate, we’re both breathing hard.

“You okay?” he asks me, resting his forehead on mine.

“I’m perfect.”

“Yes,” he says with a smile. “Yes, you are.”

We get out of the car together, and he follows me into the house. I lock the door and turn around to find him with his hands in his pockets, eyes blazing with heat.

“What’s wrong?”

He massages the back of his neck with one hand. “Let’s go to my place.”

I lean against the door to support myself. My bones are turning into melted wax. I’m equally nervous and excited. “Are you sure?”

“I can’t take it anymore, Lily. I want you. If I keep denying myself, I’ll go nuts.”

He closes the distance between us, resting his hands above my head and looking down at me. “You’re mine. I knew that from the moment I saw you. We’ve been doing this little dance, and it has to stop.”

Liam softly sucks my lower lip and I grow wetter with arousal. I’m already so primed for him. His rigid manhood is pressing on my stomach and I clench my thighs, desperately craving to have him inside me.

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