Page 34 of The Billionaire's Naughty List

“I’d love to hear how that came about. But I’m sure you’ve got more immediate questions.”

This time, he sighs and shoves a hand into his hair. “I don’t know where to start.” Anger and confusion lace each word.

And I get it. In a perfect world, we could have broken the news more gently. Maybe gathered in the den.

But somehow, they made up time, and he saw me kiss his daughter.

“Let’s start with the fact that I adore her. She’s smart and sassy and funny and she doesn’t take shit from anyone, especially me.”

He tips his chin up, staring at me with brown eyes that see so much. “Keep talking.”

“You know she comes to my company Christmas party.”

He nods.

“Last year, she told me she had a crush on me. That she’d never liked anyone else the way she liked me. I shut her down and told her we couldn’t be together like that. That I didn’t look at her like that.”

“You better fucking not have, Rivers.”

The threat sounds so similar to my dad’s that anxiety spikes through me. My spine straightens. “Well, I spent the year thinking of nothing else. How she is everything I’d ever looked for and never found. It’s like my algorithm got tweaked, so I saw her in everything I did, wondering what she was up to. Because she respected my decision. She backed off, and I didn’t see her at all this year. Not once. And I missed her. I’m never living like that again, Colt. You can’t ask me to. I won’t. When I saw Lily arrive here earlier than expected, I followed her. She showed me how much the rejection hurt her, and I regret that so damn much. So now she’s mine, and I’m hers. I’m not apologizing, and I’m not asking for permission.”

The fire crackles as he stares me down. Then he nods, glancing down at the thick area rug as if it holds the answer to some cosmic question. His hands drop to his hips and after several long moments, he nods again and meets my gaze.

“You always were two peas in a pod.” He stretches out a hand. “Welcome to the family, I guess.”

15

LILY

I rub a finger between my eyes and Elliot immediately cuddles me closer.

“Everything okay?”

It’s late. Christmas dinner is done. Presents unwrapped, paper and bows are in the trash can. Everything is clean and tidy and tomorrow, the guys are going to hit the slopes so everyone went to bed early. Elliot and I are curled up on the sofa in his room, enjoying some quiet time.

“I love my family, but they can be a bit loud.”

His laugh rumbles through me. “You work with dogs all day. How are you not used to chaos?”

I shrug. “Dogs are different.”

“I’m surprised you don’t have half a dozen of your own.”

“I will. Just as soon as I start my business. I want to feel settled,” I say. Speaking of settled… “I can’t believe my dad and Emily are together. Did not have that on my bingo card.”

Now that I’ve had a full twenty-four hours to digest that surprise, I get it. She’s good for him. Caring but doesn’t take his shit. He’s been set in his ways since I was little, but I see him bend for her.

“Yeah.”

I turn in Elliot’s arms, kneeling next to him and slide my hands up his chest. He tugs me closer and I throw a leg over his lap. I gasp at his hardness.

“Sorry. Can’t help it,” he grouses and I immediately press my lips to his.

“Never apologize for wanting me.” I roll my hips against his hard length.

“Fuck yes. I’ve needed this all day.”

He doesn’t even have to ask, just strips me out of my chunky, cable knit sweater. His groan sets my nerves aflame. “I finally get to unwrap my present,” he rumbles and I smile.

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