Stephen
Olivia is off-limits with a capital O
Twenty years younger.
My best friend’s daughter.
A dirty little secret that could get me killed.
Her father’s a dangerous man with dangerous friends.
There’s no choice but to end it.
And I was going to… Until I saw her with my brother
Olivia
I was devastated when Stephen pushed me away.
So, I did the unthinkable.
Stephen’s younger brother…
Chase was recovering from a professional hockey injury.
He was a temporary distraction.
How was I to know he was Stephen’s younger brother?
They say three’s a crowd.
But, is it really?
Stephen
“Olivia,” I try to say around her mouth.
Her tongue is more convincing than anything I have to say. Soft and sweet, kissing her is like a drug that makes me hungry for more. I groan and hold her away from me. There’s no way I’ll get through this conversation if she keeps this up. I taste her again as my tongue swipes over my bottom lip.
“Olivia, please, listen.”
“No. Whenever you use my full first name, I know you’re going to try to end things.” Her hands stroke over my arms. “Please, Stephen. I don’t care about the age difference or anything else. I just want you.”
It’s not fair when she says things like this, and she knows it. Especially with her teary eyes and sweet, pouting lips. How could anyone resist? I want to drown in her crystal-blue eyes rather than make her cry. I know I could just slide my hand into her honey locks and drag her back to my mouth for just one more taste…a proper goodbye.
But I manage to resist. “We have to end this. Wehaveto,” I insist.
She takes a step back from me and chews her lip. “You’ve said that before. Then you go out with some bimbo and then I get an apology text.”
That’s because I’m a pathetic bastard with no restraint, self-control, or self-respect when it comes to her. I don’t know why I can’t stay away and keep my hands off her. Maybe the fact that I love her has something to do with it.
But no, we can’t go on like this, not with her father looming in my mind, threatening my life. After a year and a half of sneaking around, our run has finally come to its end. She would be better off.
She can do better than someone twice her age.
“There won’t be texting or late-night phone calls anymore,” I promise softly. “We need to end this. For real this time.”
“Give me a reason.” Her tears spill over and I fight the urge to tie myself down to keep me from going to her.