Free This Love's Not for Sale by Ella Dominguez Page B

another go at it?” she batted her eyelashes.
    “Fuck no! Tell me, though, do you really like being fucked in the ass?” he grinned.
    Lilliana’s eyes narrowed again and she crossed her arms, “You’re pushing your luck. Now say it.”
    “Say what ?” Tucker asked.
    “You, Lilliana Norris, are no prude. Come on, say it.”
    “I’ll do no such thing.”
    “I did what you asked. Say it!” she exclaimed, irritated that Tucker wouldn’t retract his statement.
    Tucker showed no signs of giving in. “I won’t. Not until you really prove otherwise,” he winked.
    Lilliana met his unwavering eyes without flinching. “Whatever. Then I stand by my assertion that you’re a dick-tease.”
    “I never tease, Lilly, and I always follow through with my plans.”
    If only Lilliana knew just how true his statement was, she’d go running for high ground and never look back.
    Tucker was wondering how to bring up the subject of her land without being obvious. He tiptoed around the subject and then finally asked, “So what are your plans with Margo’s property?”
    He called her Aunt by name to make his question more personal and it worked wonders. Lilliana initially looked defensive, but when Tucker appeared nonchalant, she let her defenses down and Tucker inwardly sighed. His plan might just work after all.
    “I’m not sure yet. The taxes are going to be exorb itant. I’ve been thinking about maybe donating some of it for charity purposes, like an animal haven or something, just to cover the taxes.”
    Tucker wanted to stand, slam his fist on the table and scream. Charity? Fucking charity? She was sitting on a motherfucking goldmine and she was considering giving her land away? Tucker clenched his jaw and kept his eyes downcast for fear that his disbelief and rage would be easily read on his face.
    “I see,” he mumbled softly.
    “You think that’s a bad idea?”
    Tucker looked up at Lilliana and her eyes were scanning his face earnestly. Tucker’s mind was in over-drive. There were so many ways he could play her. He could manipulate her into thinking anything he wanted; including that charity was completely illogical.
    “I think charity is a viable option. You just need to rem ember that once you’ve given any portion of your land away, it’s gone forever. No matter what good intentions you may have, a charity foundation can do whatever they want with the land and later sell it for profits.”
    Lilliana looked distressed . “I guess I never thought of that.”
    “What kind of taxes are we talking about? Have you had your land appraised?”
    “Yes, just last week.”
    Shit, Edwards was right. Lilliana was seriously considering keeping the land. Tucker hadn’t expected that answer and he was briefly at a loss for words.
    “The appraiser assessed it at just under three million dollars.”
    Tucker snorted sarcastically. Apparently whomever she had talked to must be in cahoots with another realtor and he suddenly felt protective of Lilliana. He may be trying to take advantage of her, but he sure as hell didn’t want anyone else trying to fuck her over.
    “No, pet, that man is dead wrong. If your land were raw, it would be worth three million dollars, but it’s not. Raw land means natural property that has no sewers, electricity, streets, buildings, water or telephone service, etc. Your land is developed, albeit developed for farming purposes. Double that assessment and that’s something more in line to what it’s worth.”
    Lilliana suddenly looked ill. “Oh, God, I’m g oing to be sick,” she whimpered.
    Lilliana jumped up from the table and ran towards the restroom. Tucker stood in response, feeling unwell himself. Lilliana was so naïve. She really needed his help and advice. He cursed himself for his greediness. Here Lilliana was trying to do the right thing by considering charity and he was manipulating her, along with some other asshole. 
    Tucker stepped outside to get a breath of fresh air and