She blushes before she goes on, “I love children. I always have.”
Fuck, she looks so innocent. So pure. Everything about her screams “good.”
I place a hand on her hip as I take a step closer to her. Her eyes widen at the touch, but I can't stop myself. “A teacher? I wonder what you could teach me?” I murmur to her.
Her eyes get even wider as her face flushes. “Or perhaps,” I lean down until my lips are right against her ear, “there are a few things I could teach you.”
I hear her breath catch, and I inhale deeply, taking in her flowery scent. Fuck, she even smells sweet—like a little flower. It’s probably a dick thought for me to have, but I can't help wondering if she's a virgin. I'm not one of those guys who gets off on popping girls’ cherries, but fuck, I'd love to be this woman's first and only.
“Lucy!” I suddenly hear someone calling her name. I look up at the same time Lucy does to see Karen striding over to us. Of course. I assumed she was one of Karen's guests since I'd never met her before.
“Oh, I see you've met Luke!” Karen beams between us before she comes over and hugs my neck like we're old acquaintances and didn't just meet yesterday.
I know she means well, though, so I pat her back awkwardly and then pull back to notice that Lucy is about the same height and stature as Karen.
“Well, what do you think?” Karen asks Lucy with a wide smile. Lucy laughs and shakes her head as if she's just as confused as I am. Is Karen hoping to set her guest up with me? I’m certainly not averse to that idea…
I'd love nothing more than to be set up with this beauty.
“Yeah, Mom. He's really nice.”
My world comes crashing to a halt. Wait. Mom?
My eyes flick between Karen and Lucy, and it feels like a lead weight has been dropped into my stomach.
I see the resemblance now. I obviously make the connection before Lucy does, but I see the moment she realizes it too because her face pales as Karen chirps happily, “Wonderful! I'm so glad to see you're getting along well with your new stepbrother. Have you met Noah and Charlie yet?”
“Stepbrother?” Lucy whispers before she looks up at me with horror.
Fuck.