Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 26739 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 134(@200wpm)___ 107(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26739 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 134(@200wpm)___ 107(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
Meanwhile, Bruce wraps an arm around Marilou’s shoulders before glaring at me.
“How can you do this to your mother?” he snaps.
I snap right back.
“Why won’t you let me choose my own path in the world?” I demand. “I don’t want the things you want. Don’t you get it? We are different people. How did you find us anyways?”
Marilou is crying now, and Bruce pats her shoulder before glaring at me once more.
“Your brother told us,” he says. “Imagine our shock! We thought you were going over to study with friends on weekends. We thought you were a studious, god-fearing girl who cared about her grades. Instead, you were having … unholy relations with this stranger!”
My parents can be very religious at times, and I ignore his reference to backdoor love.
“Well, it’s my choice and Kurt shouldn’t have told you where I was. I don’t know why he did, anyways. I was only doing it to save his ass.”
Marilou looks up with tears in her eyes.
“What? What does Kurt have to do with this? My baby boy is innocent!”
I share a look with Adam. Clearly, my brother hasn’t told them the whole truth. He’s conveniently left out his role in this turn of events, and I take a deep breath before looking back at my parents.
“Kurt knows more about what’s happening than he’s letting on,” are my slow words. “I suggest you have a conversation with him because in fact, he’s a key character.”
“But he’s been so depressed lately,” my mother sniffles. “He keeps acting like the weight of the world is on his shoulders.”
“And for good reason,” I emphasize. “But you talk to him first, and then come back to me. But whatever your conclusion is, know this: I’m staying with Adam.”
My dad interrupts.
“You’ve been brainwashed,” he says. “You don’t know up from down at this point.”
Adam literally begins to growl when I cut Bruce off again.
“No, I do. Now leave. Go find Kurt, and after you’ve talked with him, give me a call. Then we’ll figure out if there’s a path forward for us.”
My parents look like they want to protest, but then Bruce helps Marilou up. My mom appears unsteady, and my heart breaks. No parent wants to find out that their innocent, virginal daughter has taken up with a much-older man. But this is my life, and they have to accept it if they want to be a part of my future.
“Let’s go, Marilou,” my dad grinds out while refusing to look at me. “We shall not stay longer in the devil’s den.”
I roll my eyes, but they don’t see because they’re already hobbling towards the front door. Soon, the snick of the front door sounds, and Adam are I are alone in his mansion.
That had gone considerably worse than I thought it would, but as I look up into Adam’s eyes, I know I made the right decision. His gaze is filled with love and support for me, and I smile with my heart in my throat.
“Now that they’re gone, I want to thank you for helping me through that. You didn’t have to –” I begin. But his mouth cuts off the rest of my apology as his arm wraps around my waist. Shuddering against him, I coil my arms around his neck and curl against the safety of his chest.
After the last few hours of emotional upheaval, I can use a lot of cuddles right now. His other arm drops down to complete the hug as his kiss slows down to an almost painful tenderness.
The pain drains out of me as his fingers stroke up and down my back, the soothing touch helping me gather the strength to speak.
“You love me?” I ask. My voice comes out with a pleading undertone, making me grimace at how pathetic it sounds. But he tightens his hold around me and answers.
“Yes, sweetheart. I have since the first day we met. Watching you bounce around my kitchen, glowing from excitement as you made me lunch is when I began to fall for you. I didn’t tell you because I wasn’t sure if it would scare you, but I’m glad to know that isn’t the case.”
I melt into him further.
“Good, because I love you too, Adam. I have since the very beginning,” I think, is my shy confession. “I know I was put on your doorstep for a reason, and at first I thought it was because I was trying to protect my brother. But the more I get to know you … well, I guess I fell in love at some point, and I can’t lie to myself anymore. I’m not here because of him. I’m here because I want to be with you.”
Adam nods, his gaze somber. He puts a finger under my chin to tilt my head his way.