Font Size:  

“My stepdaughter is dependent on me for money, but I’d also say that I’m dependent on her for a lot of things too. For sexual gratification, of course, but Romy also cooks for me, she keeps our house clean and presentable, and soon, she’ll be having my babies. We’re trying to get pregnant, you know.”

I stare at him.

“Yeah, but I thought you said you were waiting until after she graduates high school to go public?”

He shrugs.

“Yes, but Romy can get pregnant her senior year, and it probably won’t show until after graduation. Even if she’s showing, we’ll just say it was with some boy from out of town, and then come out with the truth later. The point is that this is the life that she and I have chosen together, and we’re partners in this endeavor. I realize it may look fucking terrifying to an outsider, but it works for us.”

Then the other man turns to me.

“And I suggest you try the same tack with Piper,” George continues in a casual tone. “She’s a good girl. I don’t know her well, but she and Romy hang out some. I think if you and Piper are feeling it, then it doesn’t hurt to pursue that path and see where it takes you. Piper’s an adult, you’re an adult, and again, the guilt will be with you until you’re ninety, but why not strike while the iron’s hot?” he asks, nodding at the lovely young things shimmying seductively on the field. “A beautiful woman like Piper will be snapped up before you know it, especially if you let her go to college. Frat boys would beallover that pretty young co-ed.”

I stare at him.

“Of course, Piper’s going to college,” I say in a low voice. “I would never hold her back from her dreams.”

But George just nods.

“Yeah, but dreams can change,” he says casually. “Romy never wanted to pursue her education, so I’m not speaking from direct experience, but just use your head, bro. Obviously, Piper’s hot shit and if you don’t act, someone else will. It’s all up here,” he says, tapping a finger to his temple. “I can see you have a mental roadblock about pursuing the relationship, but I say just relax and see what happens. Take it one day at a time, my man. No one’s saying you have to propose to Piper tomorrow, but why not at least give it a chance? Again, if she’s legal and willing, then really, it’s no one else’s business.”

At that moment, cheer rehearsal ends and the girls scatter from the field to gather their things. George stands up, stretching, watching as the bodacious figure of his stepdaughter waves to him from the grass.

“I’ll see you later, okay?” he grunts. “Romy wanted me to take her for a lakeside stroll, so we might not make it to the mess hall for dinner tonight.”

Then, the other man’s striding off across the field to his sexy stepdaughter. I sense, rather than see Piper glancing at me, and my body goes hard as my mind whirls. Shit, that was an eye-opening talk with the George Richards, but goddamn, it was fucked up. Then again, Piper seems eager and willing … but will I really cross the last threshold to make her mine?

8

Piper

Stan’s been silent ever since cheerleading practice ended. The handsome man strides by me, his shoulders tense and handsome face withdrawn as we make our way back to the cabin.

“Everything okay?” I ask in a quiet voice. “I just wanted you to know—”

But Stan cuts me off. He holds the door open, and then jerks his head to tell me to go inside. Silently, I obey, putting my cheerleading bag down on the bed before rummaging around in my things to get my stuff for the shower. OMG, he regrets what we did last night, doesn’t he? Tears prick my eyes as I search for my shampoo, and I bite my lip to hold them back. If I can just get to the bathroom in time, I’ll cry silently underneath the spray so that Stan never finds out.

But as I whirl towards the bathroom, my shampoo in hand, a low growl stops me.

“Piper,” Stan says.

I stop, still breathing hard.

“What is it, Stan?”

He sighs, patting the mattress next to him.

“Can we talk for a moment? We have the cabin to ourselves, and I wanted to get some things clear.”

I bite my lip again, still staring at the floor because I really don’t want my guardian to see the tears shining in my eyes. But rigidly, I nod and then sit down next to him, careful not to brush against that muscular form. Oh god, how did things get so messed up? I had a wonderful time last night and have been secretly hoping for more, but obviously Stan doesn’t feel like that at all.

Next to me, I sense his broad shoulders sag as he lets out another breath.

“Piper, we have to talk about what happened,” he begins in a low voice. “I’m your guardian and I never should have let things get away from me like that—”

That’s when I whirl on him, my brown eyes sparking.

“No, you’renotmy guardian!” I say in a quick hiss. “My mom never legally set you up as my guardian, so you’re not anything. And I had a wonderful time last night, Stan. I don’t regret it at all, and I love what we did. Please say you feel the same!”

Source: www.allfreenovel.com
Articles you may like