She grew pensive. “They know Javier was controlling and verbally abusive. Apparently he said a lot of nasty things about me when they arrested him and Dare heard it all. But they don’t know specifics. I couldn’t go into any detail.” She sighed. “I wish Daddy would stop going on about college.”
“Do you want to go to college?”
She was quiet for a long moment. “Maybe? I don’t know. It’s a big commitment.”
“What did your father mean when he talked about your trust fund?” Dylan asked curiously.
“My mom left a trust fund for each of us kids. We’re supposed to get it when we’re twenty-five. But daddy can override that and he said if any of us wanted to go to college we could use our trust to pay for it.”
“Ahh,” he said, imagining it couldn’t be a large trust. Not when she had four brothers as well.
“None of my brothers went to college, but they’ve all come into their trusts now. Not that you’d know it since none of them have moved away from home.”
“Maybe they’re saving for a bigger deposit,” he said.
She laughed. “That must be a hell of a deposit. I’m pretty sure a million dollars will buy a nice place.”
“A million dollars?”
“Well, it’s significantly more than that now, even with the lawyer’s fees. My mom came from a wealthy family. They didn’t approve of my dad, though and cut her off financially when he married her. But she had some money her grandmother left her so she put it all in a trust for us kids.”
“Wow.”
“Yeah, Javier really liked the sound of that,” she said with some bitterness.
Dylan shifted her off his lap and sat her on the bed. He knelt on the floor before her. “You know I don’t give a damn whether you’re rich or poor, don’t you? That’s your money. I’m comfortable enough to take care of both of us. That includes supporting you through college.”
She frowned a little, and opened her mouth, then closed it.
“What is it?” he asked. “Tell me.”
“Umm, it’s just I don’t expect you to support me. I can support myself. You work hard for your money.”
He grinned. He could guess what she was thinking. “Don’t worry, Roarke pays me quite well. Plus, I had years in the Marines where I didn’t spend a lot. I have enough to help you through college if you don’t want to dip into your trust fund.”
She rubbed her hand over her face. “I don’t even know if I want to go to college. Got to hand it to Daddy, I’m home less than two hours and I’m already stressing over the future.”
“Shh,” he told her, running his hand firmly up and down her thighs. “We’ve both had enough stress lately.”
“You’re the one who insisted we come here,” she snapped. Immediately, she appeared horrified. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that.”
Dylan raised his eyebrows. “I think you did. But you had to come back here some time, Tilly.”
“I know you’re right. I really am sorry.” There was a mortified look on her face. “I didn’t mean to snap at you.”
“You need to relax a bit, a mhuirnín. Your dad loves you; he just wants the best for you. Be firm with him.”
“Easier said than done.”
“I’m here to support you.” He could step in and take over. He wanted to. He wanted to protect her from everything. But that wouldn’t help. She was strong. She could handle herself.
“I know a couple of cures for stress,” he murmured, leaning forward to nuzzle at her breast. “I am more than happy to help you each time you feel your stress levels rising.”
“We can’t do that here,” she said, sounding scandalized as he nuzzled her other breast.
Dylan smiled against her shirt. Oh, they could and they would. She definitely needed to relax a bit, and he had just the cure.
“Yes, we can. Take off your t-shirt.”