I couldn’t get that fucking kiss out of my mind.

She was slightly damp from lying in the sun. I could taste sweat on her lips and feel it on her warm body. Sure, she had a towel wrapped around herself, but she was still mainly naked. My cock was instantly hard as I pulled her against me.

Maybe shooting down the drone wasn’t the best idea. Cox sure as hell didn’t approve of that move, but it was totally fucking worth it. We hadn’t figured out who sent it yet, but I knew Cox was working on that. Besides, it led to finally tasting Emily, even if it was just a kiss.

Just a kiss with my stepdaughter.

I groaned, alone in my office. My cock was hard again just remembering the kiss, and that drove me insane. I knew it was totally stupid to get hung up on her, considering all of the fucking danger that came with it, but I genuinely couldn’t help myself.

I fucking needed her.

I needed her lips wrapped around my cock. I needed her legs wrapped around my back. I needed her pussy grinding against me, her mouth hanging open, begging for more, more. I’d give it to her, deep and slow, look her in the eye, tell her how fucking gorgeous she was, how perfect her pussy felt. I’d make her moan, bite down on my skin, squirm and groan with pure bliss until I finally pushed her over the edge.

“Fuck,” I said out loud. What the fuck was I doing, picturing Emily like this?

“Something wrong?”

I nearly jumped out of my fucking seat. Evelyn stood at the door, eyebrows arched in a questioning look.

“Evie. Didn’t see you there.”

“I’m sure. You looked lost in thought. Busy day?”

“You know it is.”

She nodded, a small smile on her lips. “About that. The Kenyan ambassador canceled for later. Also, the Chinese aluminum company called about negotiating the contract.”

“Fine,” I said, nodding, willing my erection to go down. I was just picturing her daughter writhing beneath me, after all.

She stepped into the room and shut the door behind her. “Is everything okay?”

“It’s fine,” I said.

“There has been a lot of media coverage about us. Not all of it has been good.”

“I haven’t been reading that shit,” I said, shaking my head.

“Reconsider that. The whole point of this marriage is to make you look better in the press, not worse.” She sat down in one of the chairs in front of the desk.

“What are they saying?”

“Oh, mostly calling me a cradle robber. And accusing you of being sexist for marrying your secretary.”

I laughed. “How’s that sexist?”

“I don’t know.” She shrugged. “It just is, apparently.”

“Well, I’m not sexist. But you’re definitely a cradle robber.”

She shook her head. “I don’t find it funny.”

“Relax, Evie. The initial press will be bad, but if we stick it out, they’ll get over onto our side.”

“I hope you’re right.”

“We just need to show them a united front, so to speak.”

“About that. There’s a charity gala event coming up, and I think we should go together.”

I sighed. I hated those fucking things. They were just an excuse for rich assholes to get together and pretend like they were doing good for the world while really just making new business deals that fucked over the little guy.

“Do we really need to?”

“Yes,” she said. “And an interview with the press. Sooner rather than later.”

“Fine. Gala first, then interview.”

“Fine.” She wrote something down on a pad then nodded to herself. “One more thing.”

“Please, god, not another media thing.”

“No. It’s about Emily.”

I froze for a second, staring at her. Did she know about what happened yesterday? I was positive that nobody saw us, not out there behind an outcropping of trees. She wasn’t anywhere near us, unless there was another drone flying around, but that was crazy. Evelyn couldn’t fly a drone if her life depended on it.

“What about her?” I asked innocently.

“I know you’ve been looking at her, Carter. I can see it happening between the two of you.”

“Whatever do you mean?”

She held up a hand. “You’re both adults. Just be very careful. If I had it my way, you would stay away from her completely.”

“I won’t mess this up, Evie,” I said softly.

“I hope not. This isn’t just about your reputation anymore, Carter.” She nodded to herself, and I had a feeling that she had just gotten something off of her chest. She stood, arranging her papers. “That’s all.”

“Okay,” I said. “Thanks.”

She nodded again and left, shutting the door behind her.

I leaned back in my chair and sighed. If Evelyn noticed, I was sure that others did as well. I was going to have to be more careful from here on out, or else risk fucking up big time.

I picked up my phone, did a quick Google search, and called a number. A nice woman answered on the third ring.

“Yes,” I said. “Hello. I’d like to order a dozen, no, two dozen black roses for a very special lady . . . “