Read Under His Control (For His Pleasure, Book 18) for Free Online Page A

relationship under false pretenses.”
    “I know I screwed up,” Kennedy said. She took the cream and then realized Nicole might think she was trying to copy her again, and set it down. Instead she grabbed a few packets of Splenda and shook them into her cup.
    Nicole sipped her coffee. “I didn’t come here to get an apology or beat you up over the whole thing.”
    “So why did you come here?”
    “I came here to set things straight between us,” Nicole said evenly.
    “Uh oh.”
    “Listen, I’m not going to pretend that I’m happy about this. Knowing I have a sister that I was unaware of my whole life—it’s been awful for me. It means my father had an affair, and kept secrets, and it’s a very destructive piece of knowledge that I’ve acquired. Of course, that’s not completely your fault.”
    “How comforting that it’s not completely my fault.”
    Nicole gave her a steely look. “Don’t be sarcastic with me.”
    “All you’ve been is sarcastic with me—how am I supposed to react?”
    “Fine, react how you want,” Nicole replied.
    “I’m sorry. Go on with what you were saying.”
    Nicole toyed with her coffee cup. “I don’t blame you for the fact that my father kept such an awful secret. I blame you for the way you tried to ingratiate yourself with my husband, worm your way into his company, into my life—that was a very destructive and untrustworthy act.”
    “I agree. I’m so sorry.”
    “I told you I’m not interested in your apologies.”
    “But I want to apologize, Nicole.”
    Nicole looked at the approaching waiter with a strained smile. “Lovely, the two plates of French toast are here.”
    The waiter set the plates down, and Kennedy had to admit, the food looked unbelievable. She immediately took a heavenly bite, and moaned with pleasure.
    “It’s good, isn’t it?” Nicole asked. She cut a few very tiny pieces and fed them to Riley. Riley held out her hands and gurgled, pointing at Kennedy.
    “I think she wants to be held,” Nicole said, pulling Riley out of her stroller and holding her tightly, bouncing her a little as the baby looked around.
    Now Riley was giggling and looking at Kennedy.
    Kennedy’s face reddened as the baby made eye contact with her. It was like looking at an angel. Riley’s eyes were so innocent, so radiant and trusting.
    Riley held out her arms and leaned towards Kennedy, her vocalizations growling louder and even more insistent.
    “Shoot,” Nicole said. “She’s not usually like this.”
    “Could I just hold her for a moment?” Kennedy asked. “Please?”
    Nicole looked uncomfortable at the prospect. “I don’t know.”
    The baby was crying a little now, straining as she tried to reach toward her aunt, and Nicole finally gave her over to Kennedy, who held her easily.
    Instantly, Riley calmed down. She looked up at Kennedy and gurgled with a wide grin. “Momma,” she said. She reached out with her tiny little hand and stroked Kennedy’s hair.
    Kennedy grimaced and looked at Nicole. “Sorry.”
    “You keep apologizing. It’s kind of obnoxious.” Nicole shifted in her chair, her mouth frowning more thoroughly as Riley cooed and gurgled and relaxed into Kennedy’s arms.
    Riley’s eyes were so kind, so forgiving, Kennedy thought. And Riley came from her mother. Even though Nicole was being mean and unkind, Kennedy took comfort in the knowledge that deep down Nicole was a good and kind person. Just looking into Riley’s cherubic face, Kennedy knew it was so.
    “Okay, time to go back to Mommy,” Kennedy said, repressing the urge to plant a big wet kiss on the little girl’s cheek.
    Then she handed Riley back to Nicole. Kennedy thought that she sensed a little regret from Nicole, almost as if, despite herself, Nicole had begun to enjoy seeing Kennedy holding her niece.
    But then again, Kennedy knew it might just be wishful thinking.
    Nicole soothed her baby for a little while, and Kennedy simply ate and enjoyed the rapturous French