NICK
I WANT to shout at her. I want to lose my cool and push her away from me. Bark out orders that she needs to get herself to bed, where she belongs, safe under the covers and away from the lesser man inside me. The man who wants to tear that slip of a nightdress from those pretty little t**s and devour her whole.
She’s staring up at me, those doe eyes so wide and innocent. Only she’s not innocent. Not right now.
It’s clear what little Laine is thinking, what she’s wanting.
“I’m not a…” she begins, and I close my eyes. “I’m not a… girl… I’m eighteen, Nick…”
“And I’m much too old for you. Much too old.”
“But… but who says so?” Her voice is quiet and gentle. Her voice is perfect.
“I say so,” I tell her simply and force myself to meet her eyes. “It wouldn’t be right.”
She nods, but
