Chapter 26
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
MASSIO
I’ve never seen anyone so beautiful in my entire life. She stands before me in nothing but plain white cotton underwear, looking so stunning, sexy, and confident. Thea doesn’t need anything to make her appear sexier, bolder; she just needs to embrace who she is.
“Are you happy with them?” I ask as I stand and gather the garments.
She smiles and gives me a nod, then clears her throat. “I know you don’t want me wearing anything sexy, but …” Chewing on her lip, she darts her eyes away.
“You saw something you liked?”
“Yes.”
I lift her chin with my thumb. “Listen to me. I don’t think you need anything sexy because you are sexy. If you want to wear something different, I want that to be for you, not for me, not your mother. Do you understand?”
“So I can buy it?” she asks, with hope in her eyes.
“Thea, you can buy anything you want. But it comes from my bank. You’re mine to look after. You’re not your father’s responsibility anymore. Do you understand?”
Happiness dances across her face. Her smile is real, the joy in her eyes genuine, and my chest puffs with pride.
I did that.
This beautiful girl I wanted to break—now the thought curdles my stomach.
“Thank you, Daddy.” She presses up onto her tiptoes and kisses my lips, so I wrap my arm around her and pull her closer, squeezing her ass as I do.
“Good girl. Let’s go and pay, then we’re going to talk about what Posy said to you.”
Her face falls, and I hate the way her mood has crumbled, but I won’t allow her to lie to me.
Again, guilt hits me.
Because when she finds out the truth, it’s going to devastate her. The sooner I tie her to me, the better.