Page 9 of Obsessed with the Man of the House

“Everything’s not fine,” she murmurs. “Please. Tell me. It doesn’t hurt to share.”

I shake my head.

“No, this isn’t your business,” I rasp, refusing to look at her. “Besides, I’ve already done enough. You don’t need to get involved.”

“But I do,” she says, pulling me around to face her. Reluctantly, I meet her chocolate brown eyes, and the empathy in them is my undoing.

“Sweetheart, you have no idea…” I begin.

“I do,” she says. “Just tell me what needs to be done.”

Then, to my horror, the whole sad story comes pouring out. How I didn’t pay last quarter’s health insurance premium because of my financial circumstances. How a loyal employee has been injured on the job, and how I need to do right by Miguel. How the hospital’s probably charging an arm and a leg for routine X-rays, and how the American health insurance system is the equivalent of fucking highway robbery. It’s all very pathetic and I can hardly believe that I’m revealing my troubles to the young woman.

But Vanessa’s sympathetic. Her brown eyes are limpid as she squeezes my hand in her much smaller one.

“It’s okay,” she murmurs. “I get it. Everyone’s mystified by our health care system and Congress really needs to do something.Anything, because there’s no way this should be happening to citizens of a first world country. But how much did you say Miguel’s bill is? And the health insurance premium for next quarter?”

“I didn’t say,” I just barely get out. “But five figures. And my quarterly premium is in the five figures as well, although paying it now isn’t going to help Miguel. It’s too late for that.”

Vanessa looks thoughtful, rubbing her thumb in small circles against my palm. The gesture is soothing, even if she’s doing it unconsciously.

“Actually, a lot of health care plans have grace periods, Gray. If you make your quarterly payment now, you might be able to get Miguel’s treatment covered. Not only that, but you know that these insurance companies all have deals with medical providers. Oftentimes, they only end up forking over a fraction of the listed price for each procedure.”

I nod.

“I know,” I say in a hoarse voice. “But where am I going to get the money for a five figure insurance premium? I need the three hundred thou you forwarded me for other bills.”

Vanessa is silent for a moment, looking down at where our hands our joined. But then she looks up, meeting my eyes.

“It’s okay, Daddy. I can transfer another one hundred thousand to your account. Just call it a loan.”

I stare at her.

“Another loan after what you’ve already provided? After what I did to you last night?”

Vanessa nods, her brown eyes suddenly filled with fire.

“Yes.Especiallyafter what you did last night. You know I loved it Gray, and I want more. We didn’t consummate our relationship, and that’s what I really want. I want you, Gray. I want you to take my innocence the way a real man claims his woman.”

At her words, my heart begins to pump blood viciously. My vision blurs and I literally feel lightheaded because I can’t do this. This woman is my stepdaughter, and my actions last night already crossed a hundred boundaries. I could go to jail for my deviant ways, and hell, I’d deserve it too.

I literally grip the edge of the counter to keep from falling over, but before I realize what’s happening, Vanessa’s whipped her phone out. Then, with a few taps on her screen, she puts it down once more.

“There,” she whispers. “It’s done, Gray. I just transferred another hundred thousand to your account. You’ll be able to hang on for a while longer, and do right by your employee. I know you, Mr. Thomas, and you would never leave a loyal worker hanging.”

Sure enough, my phone chirps then, and I know it’s the bank confirming the receipt of funds. My heart breaks even as the blood begins to pump in my veins.

“Vanessa, sweetheart,” I begin in a low voice. “I have no idea how to thank you. I have no idea how to even begin—”

But she cuts me off.

“You already know what I want, Daddy, although now, I have a special request. Just call it interest for the latest one hundred K.”

I nod.

“Anything, baby,” I growl, my voice emotional. “Whatever you want, just name it.”

A smile wreathes her face then, transforming her delicate features from pretty to goddess-like.

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