Page 19 of Fake Daddy

“I told you my concerns already; tell me yours, Darling. Let me shoulder some of this worry you have.”

“Your reputation. The way people will talk, and what if it affects the boys at school, or you start losing jobs?” He frowns as I speak.

“What about you, Darling? I hear all this concern for me, but why aren’t you worrying about you?” Pressing his head to mine, he waits patiently for my answer.

“I don’t have as much to lose as you guys do. I couldn’t bear it if I caused an iota of upset in your lives.”

“You won’t. And even if us being together causes an issue with someone that isn’t in our relationship, then I’ll shut them down faster than they can open their big fucking mouths.”

He’s so certain. His eyes are so resolute.

“I need to make things right with my dad first. I don’t care about my mom, but you need to be prepared that once she finds out, she’s going to do whatever she can to damage us. To break me.” The last few words are nearly a whisper.

“She’s the reason, isn’t she?” Cort grips one wrist, staring down at the scars that nearly ended my life. I’m only able to nod as my throat tightens, and I can barely speak. “I need you to know I’ll never allow anyone near you who makes you feel like that’s your only option.”

I swallow sharply and close my eyes before speaking. “I was never smart enough, never pretty enough. Didn’t have the right friends. Didn’t choose the appropriate career or go to the right school. I was never…enough for her. And she reminded me of that daily.” I feel the cool tear streaks as they run down my cheeks.

Cort’s mouth moves against mine. “Darling, my sweet, good girl, you are perfect in every single fucking way, and I will spend a lifetime showing you that.” Our mouths meld, our tongues tangle, and when I feel his cock slip inside my aching pussy, I give myself over to him and believe every word he says.

CHAPTER 10

Cort

“Maybe we should stay,” Tyler suggests as he helps me straighten up in the kitchen. “If we’re here, then her dad won’t be an ass, right?”

Evan looks at me, his gaze troubled. “How can he be disappointed in her? What did she do wrong?”

Scrubbing a hand over my face, I try to think of a delicate way to explain that the issue is I used to sleep with her mother, and now I’m fucking obsessed with Darling.

Ty beats me to it as he rolls his eyes. “Ever heard of double dipping?”

“Christ, Ty,” I groan, turning to the slow cooker to check on the meatballs inside. “The issue, Ev, is that Darling used to be my stepchild, even though it was a long fucking time ago. It’s a lot for people to get their heads around.”

“But it’s not like you sought her out. You guys connected because Mom loved her hair and wanted me to get my colour right.” Love the kid’s innocence; he won’t have it for much longer.

“Seems simple enough,” I agree. “But when you’re a parent, it’s not so easy to accept. One day, you’ll understand the intricacies of parenting and all the pitfalls you want to protect your children from.”

“Sooooo, he doesn’t just want her happiness?” Evan shakes his head as he grabs a carrot stick from the cutting board. “Seems kind of selfish to me.”

“I’m sure he wants her happiness. He was likely expecting it to happen with someone closer to her own age and not someone who formerly had a relationship with her mom.”

“Dude, it’s dirty and taboo.” Ty laughs at Evan’s lack of understanding.

“Go get ready for your mom; she’ll be here in a few minutes.”

I shoo them away, needing a minute to prepare for how tonight will play out. We had talked about going to her house but then figured if we were here and Collin wanted to leave, he could and wouldn’t have to worry about kicking out his daughter.

“I’m here!” Mary says, entering the house. She doesn’t know about me and Darling yet, and my woman will be home any minute.

Now or never. “In here,” I call out, opening the can of tomato sauce for the meatballs and mixing it into the slow cooker. “I’ve got to talk to you about something, and I need for you to listen before speaking.” I hand her a small glass of white wine.

Mary raises a brow but sits on one of the island’s chairs. “Alright, let's hear it.” She takes a sip from the glass as the boys re-enter the kitchen, ready to head home with her.

“Darling and I are together.” Crossing my arms, I lean against the counter and wait for her to speak.

“Darling, my hair stylist?” She cocks her head to the side.

“Yes.”

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