Page 45 of The Lie

The special treatment did not, however, extend to the countless orgasms I’ve given her after summoning her to my office under some ridiculously flimsy pretence. My girl has a greedy pussy, but I love it.

I fucking love her!

I lead her out of the auditorium and down the long, winding path towards the car park.

Mum and Nolan are already waiting beside the shiny black Audi with a giant red bow stretched across the bonnet. Poppy’s steps falter the moment she sees it.

“Happy graduation,” I say, handing her the key fob.

Her eyes flick from the car to me. “You bought me a car for graduation?”

“Before you say anything, this isn’t me trying to fix your problems. It’s a graduation gift. One you earned. The kind of gift someone gets when they reach a milestone like this.”

“For rich people, maybe.”

“When we get married, my fortune becomes yours too.”

Poppy sucks in a sharp breath. “Married?”

“Yeah.” I shrug like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “I’m going to marry you one day, Poppy Daffodil Lancaster. I’ve already got the ring.”

Her pretty blue eyes widen. “You do?”

“I do.”

“When did you buy it?”

I lift one shoulder. “About six months ago.”

She blinks at me. “You bought an engagement ring before we even met?”

“No.” I laugh. “I bought it after we met, but I’ll admit it was before our fake relationship became real.”

“Why?”

“Because I knew it would make Nanna happy.”

She presses a hand to her chest and lets out a soft sigh. “Nanna knew?”

“She did. She helped me pick it out.”

“The surprises just keep coming,” she says, looking completely overwhelmed.

I had no intention of telling her any of that, and I definitely didn’t mean to bulldoze her, but apparently I can’t help myself. At least now she knows what’s coming and has time to prepare. Because that day will arrive a whole lot sooner than she thinks.

My mum is the first to step forward when we reach the car. “Congratulations, Poppy. I can’t believe we have another lawyer in the family.”

Poppy shoots me a look, and I get the feeling she just realised exactly where I get my confidence, certainty, and the complete inability to ease into anything slowly. Apparently, the bulldozer gene runs in my family.

“Super proud of you, Pop,” Nolan says, moving in next.

“I can’t believe your brother bought me a car,” Poppy replies, rolling her eyes. These two have become close over the past few months, but it doesn’t bother me. I actually like it.

My brother chuckles. “Don’t freak when you find out there are already a few hundred kilometres on the clock.”

“Shut up,” I growl through gritted teeth because I know exactly where he’s going with this. But of course, the fucker keeps talking.

“He actually bought this car for you before you broke up with him.”