Page 16 of Stalker Stepbrother

“Neither can you do the same to Callie.”

“Oh, oh, I see what this is. You think just because you’re all high and mighty, you can do whatever you want, right?” She turns to Callie and points a finger at her. “Just you wait and see. In a week, he’ll forget about you. A man like him will never have just one woman in his bed. He’s gonna find them supermodels and rich bitches. Those sexy kinds, the ones with slim bodies. He’ll repla—”

“I said enough.” I do not shout nor raise my voice, but my tone is enough of a warning. Janis knows she’s crossed a line. In my own home. In front of my girl. “You do not have a high ground to stand on, Janis. We both know you never took care of Callie the way a mother should. If it wasn’t me, if it was some random rich guy my age, you would’ve patted Callie’s back and told her ‘Good job’, right?”

At this, Janis opens her mouth to protest but ends up looking away, guilt written all over her face.

“So, what’s the issue, Janis? Because you and my father are married? Why? If Callie and I met and got married first, then you realized you liked my father, would it make much difference?”

I’ve gotten my point across because my father takes Janis’ arm and says, “Let’s go, honey. We all need to calm down first. We might end up saying and doing things we’d regret.”

For the first time in my life, I actually agree with him, so Callie and I give them a wide berth. When the door closes behind them, Callie launches herself into my arms and whispers, “What she said…about supermodels and…and…”

“Never, baby girl. When I told you this was for life, I meant it. Down to the marrow of my bones.”

“But I’ll never be as beautiful—”

“Normally, I’d let you speak your mind, but to let you talk yourself down is something I can never do. You should see how I see you. You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, Callie. The sexiest too. Like your body was made for me. You should’ve seen how my mouth watered when I saw your curves.”

When she doesn’t say anything, I rub my cheek on her soft hair. “Now, why don’t you go upstairs and change? Let’s go shopping. Take your mind off some things.”

She pulls back to look at me. “You don’t do shopping.”

Laughing, I kiss her soft mouth. “No, I don’t. You will.”

* * *

I leadher down a bustling street and into the boutique where I bought her dresses. The shop manager recognizes me and immediately perks up, knowing she’ll most likely meet her quota with just one customer.

I’m about to sit on one of the Chesterfield sofas when I feel Callie tugging on my arm.

“What is it, baby girl?”

She smiles sweetly at the manager and turns to me, mouth barely moving. “It’s too expensive here.”

“So? Tell me what you want and I’ll give it to you.”

“Daddy, I don’t want anything, okay? You’ve already given me too much.”

“And you’re about to get so much more,” I say, tipping her face up to me and planting a kiss on her frowning mouth. “Now, be a good girl and try on whatever you like.”

“But…”

“If you won’t pick at least one, I’ll buy the entire fucking store.”

Her eyes widen, mouth forming an O. “What? Are you cr–”

“I’ll give you five seconds to start. Pick what you like or you’ll have everything they sell.”

“You just ca–”

“One… Two…”

She holds up her hands and glares at me, not realizing she’s as intimidating as a kitten. “I got it. God, you’re a psycho.”

Smirking, I pull her to me and squeeze her ass, causing the other store staff to look away. “By the way, I meant to ask. Why did you have that lingerie?”

“Oh,” she bites her bottom lip and starts fixing my collar. “When three of my closest friends back home found out I was moving to the city, they each gave me something to help me adjust to a different life. One of my girlfriends gave me that lingerie in case I found someone I wanted to seduce.”

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