Page 82 of Mr. Almost

I mean it too. I know that one day, if this keeps going the way it’s going, we will be living with him and have a white picket fence and the puppy Ari has always wanted. We will be a family one day, but I’m not there yet. I wish I could just say fuck it and be there, but the mind is a wonderful, scary thing. It doesn’t react the way you always want.

He runs his hand along my hip. “I can respect that. I am going to make a few demands, though.”

I swallow hard as I nod my head for him to continue. I expected this. He is going to want more time with Ari. I know that. I don’t like feeling like I’m being put on the spot, though.

“You let me put Ari on my insurance. She’s my daughter, and she should have the best care money can buy. Max is already planning to hire you full-time. That decision was before he knew about us, so I want you to accept it. It wasn’t a handout from me, but proof that you’re great at your job. Once you’re officially hired by us, you’ll be offered insurance for yourself, so you will also be taken care of. As for your food stamps, I’m glad that they’ve helped you get by, but I would like to pay child support and cover that side of things for you.”

“What? No,” I refuse.

My mind is blown. I was on board with the insurance thing. I will swallow my pride to allow my daughter better health care. I’m not an idiot. I was even accepting the whole Max-is-hiring-you-full-time thing. Not sure I believe it was before we got together, but I need the experience, so again, I wouldn’t turn it down.

Money though? Yeah, I’m not accepting a dime from him.

“It makes sense. I should be paying you back child support. You have cared for our daughter for years without my help. Let me help now.”

“I don’t want your money.” I cross my arms over my chest.

He laughs. “It’s not for you, Livvy baby. It’s for Ari. Please let me provide the assistance that would be required of any father. If we were married, I would be paying for things for her that you would gladly allow me to. Why can’t you allow it now?”

He pulls out his phone and does something before turning it around.

“Look, this calculator says that based on our salaries, I should be paying you like seven hundred dollars weekly.”

My eyes nearly bug out of my head. “I don’t even make seven hundred dollars a week. Hell no, you aren’t paying me that. That is preposterous.”

My hands are shaking now. I cannot believe he even suggested that. I know money is nothing to him, but it’s different for me. I hustle my ass off to make it, and I refuse to just accept it without earning it. I want us to be equal. Money makes things weird.

He smiles at me. “Let’s negotiate then.”

“No way. I don’t need it.”

“Olivia, be realistic here. You can’t keep me from spending money on Ari. All I’m asking is you let me contribute to the bills that come along with that. Compromise with me, baby.”

The look on his face has me caving. He really means what he is saying. This is important to him.

I sigh. I really could use the help, and if he is adamant that it’s for Ari, then I’ll only use it on things for Ari.

“A hundred a week. Four hundred a month.”

He scoffs. “I’m a billionaire. That’s change for me. Five hundred a week.”

“Two hundred and fifty dollars, and I’ll allow you to buy things for her when we go out.”

He considers it a moment. I’ve been stingy about letting him spend money on us. I let him buy food or drinks here and there, but nothing extravagant like toys or clothes. Believe me, he’s tried. If this makes him happy, I’ll allow him some small concessions.

“Deal. Shit, Livvy. That was hot. You were all standing your ground.” He smirks at me.

I roll my eyes at him. “Seriously?”

He moves closer, cupping my face. “If you could feel my dick right now, you’d know I’m telling the truth.”

I have no clue where I get the nerve, but I reach down and grab him through his pants, finding him hard like he said. He groans, his dick jumping against my hand.

“Fuck, you can’t do that. I’m going to spill in my pants like a prepubescent teenager.”

That has me giggling. “I’d like to see that.”

“It’s embarrassing. Pre-ejaculation isn’t sexy.”

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