Is that why her cheeks go pink? Does she know what I’m thinking? Probably not. Knowing her, she’d try to slap me or some dumb shit. I’m almost tempted to push her to that point, so I’d have an excuse to grab her. Whatever happened after that point wouldn’t be my fault.
“I guess I’ll have to live with that.” She looks down, and I can see her closing up like a flower blooming in reverse. “Can I have some privacy now?” There’s no choice but to leave or else risk her screaming or some other stupid thing.
She’s infuriating. I didn’t know people could be as stubborn as she is. I go to my room and slam the door before fishing her thong out of my pocket and holding it to my nose again. As enraging as she is, I want her more every minute. I want to break her down, make her trust me.
Linda’s voice rings out in the hallway. “There you are. I was starting to worry.”
I lower the panties, now too interested in what’s happening in the hallway. Part of me worries she’ll complain about me being in her room, while part of me hopes she’ll open up to her mom. I open the door a crack to hear better.
Gemma is in shorts and a tank now, wet hair pulled into a messy bun on top of her head. Even now, my dick strains at the sight of her. “I’m fine. I was actually hoping to ask you a favor.” Her eyes cut up and down the hall like she’s making sure they’re alone. I hold my breath, but her gaze moves over my door without her reacting.
“What do you need, sweetie?”
Gemma takes a deep breath. “Some money to get the car fixed. I don’t know how much I’ll need right now—I won’t until it goes in to get looked at—but I’m looking for a job, and I promise, I’ll pay you back the second I get paid. You know I will. Only it’ll be tough getting to a job without a car, you know?”
I watch Linda, observing her concerned expression. “I’ll have to talk to Richard about it, but I don’t see any problem with that.”
Gemma does. Her brows jump up the second my dad’s name enters the conversation. “Oh. No, that’s okay. Don’t bother doing that.”
Linda frowns. “Why not? You’re right, you can’t get to a job without a car. I know he’d be glad to help.”
“Yeah, well, I would rather everybody didn’t know. I’ll figure it out.” She kisses her mom’s cheek before going back to her room and closing the door. Linda flinches at the sound of the lock clicking, then continues down the hall to the master suite. She looks over her shoulder more than once like she wonders what the hell is wrong with her kid.
I wonder, too.