AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He gave my butt a light slap. “You get what I’m saying.”
“Deacon, it doesn’t feel right,” I said.
“Only because of what I said and did before,” he said. “You’d be making me feel better about how much of an asshole I was if you let me do this, Riley.”
“It’s a lot of money,” I said. “I’m not just helping them with the chemo, okay? I’m helping them with groceries and other household bills, too.”
“Baby, I am disgustingly filthy rich,” he said. “I can afford it.”
“Deacon, I’m not… close with my parents. My mom is emotionally distant, and my dad can be hypercritical of me. Growing up, they weren’t there for me, and I had to care for myself more than I should have. My childhood and how I grew up is a big part of why I seek praise like I do. I love my parents, and they love me, but they have a hard time showing it. They’ll be grateful for the help, but they’re also self-absorbed and a little, well… greedy.”
“I’m sorry they don’t see you for how amazing you are, baby,” he said.
“Part of me is helping them because I’m still looking for that praise and acceptance from them, but I’m okay with it because that’s only part of it. Even if my parents aren’t always kind to me, I can’t watch them suffer.”
“You are an incredible person,” Deacon said.
“I don’t feel incredible,” I said. “I feel… tired, mostly.”
He brushed his mouth against mine. “Then let me help.”
When I continued to hesitate, he gave me a solemn look. “Riley, let me do this. I want to take care of you in whatever form that takes.”
He cupped my face again. “Let me take care of you, baby. Please.”
His love and sincerity shone out from him like a warm beacon of light that melted my fears and healed my cracked and aching heart. I’d been alone for so long, but I didn’t need to be anymore. The person I loved stood before me, wanting me to trust him, to do what he asked, not because I needed to earn his love but because he loved me.
“I want to be your good girl,” I whispered.
“You are my good girl,” he said, “and I want to take care of you.”
“Yes,” I said.
His smile flashed big and bright, and he hugged me hard before kissing me. “Thank you, baby.”
I laughed. “You’re about to change my life, and you’re thanking me. You get how weird that is, right?”
I squeaked when he picked me up and carried me to the bedroom. “I’m not weird, you’re weird.”
I giggled as he pulled my shirt over my head and reached for my bra. “Honey, wait. I’m covered in butter, and I smell like lobster.”
“I don’t care,” he said as he nuzzled my neck. “I need you, good girl, even if you’re butter coated.”
I giggled again and slid my arms around his waist. “We could have a shower first.”
“I’ve been in your shower. It’s barely big enough for me, let alone the two of us.” He slid his hand into my hair and tugged my head up. “Pack an overnight bag, and we’ll go to my house. Plenty of room in my shower, and we don’t have to worry about someone trying to break in and murder us.”
“The neighbourhood isn’t that bad,” I said.
“It is,” he said. “Tomorrow, we’ll start packing your stuff and moving it to my place.”
“Did you just ask me to move in with you?” I stared wide-eyed at him.
“No,” he said.
I blushed with embarrassment. “Oh, sorry, I didn’t -”
“I’m telling you you’re moving in with me,” he said arrogantly.
