AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Good night, princess. I’ll be next door in Daniel’s room. If you need me, just shout.”
Swallowing the lump in my throat, I just nod, unable to speak.
His large body stills in the doorway, illuminated by the hall light. I can just make out his sad expressionwhen his face turns back into the dark room. “I wish I was different. That I was better, but I’m just not.”
Somehow, I know he’s talking about more than just a good night kiss. Disappointment consumes me, and for the first time tonight, I cry.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Lara
I loop the lace and pull it through the other, tugging until the knot is nice and tight. The sneakers fit perfectly. I feel a little bad about taking a pair of Samantha’s shoes, but Kaleb was right. It’s the least she can do.
Besides, I’ll drop them back in a few days, along with her laundered clothes. I cringe at the memory of her dropping the clothes into Michael’s room earlier. Awkward was not the word. Kaleb loitering behind, listening in, hadn’t helped.
But at least the leggings and T-shirt fit . . . just about. I shrug on Michael’s jacket, the large size making me feel less self-conscious as it swallows my body. Sniffing the collar quickly before anyone cansee, I smile when his cologne surrounds me. How can he make me feel this safe when I only just met the man?
Rolling up the sleeves, I roll my eyes because I need to get a grip. Tugging the borrowed shirt down again, not that it helps, I stand from the stairs.
“Princess, come have breakfast, and then I’ll drive you home,” Michael calls from the kitchen table.
“Oh, that’s okay. I can run back.” I insist, despite the slight limp I have as I join them in the kitchen.
Michael’s head snaps to me. “The fuck you will,” he tells me, twisting to look at me over his shoulder.
His words irk me. That, coupled with my anxiety about not doing my usual morning exercise, makes me stop short and snap, “Excuse me?”
But he doesn’t back off. Instead, Michael turns in his seat, his body facing me full on, and doubles down. “Princess, it’s not happening. You’re lucky I’ve let you walk at all this morning.”
“Let me?” I huff, my mouth dropping at his words. “I wasn’t aware that I needed permission. And I’m not asking. I’ll run back.”
“No, you won’t.” He shakes his head. “Say it a third time and see what happens.” His face sets in a blank stare, and something in my lower tummy flutters.
I open my mouth to do just that, but his face darkens, and something inside me takes over. Survival, maybe. Whatever it is, I swallow the words, glaring when he smiles at me like he just won.
Because he did.
Jackass.
Helen shifts at the counter. “I’ll make you something, sweetheart.”
Stepping into the kitchen, I shake my head. “Thank you, but I don’t normally eat breakfast.”
“You should,” Michael reprimands me. The man’s been in a sour mood ever since we came downstairs.
“Leave the lady alone, son. The first rule of dating is to know when to pick your battles.” The older gent sits across from Michael. He gives me a playful wink as I pull out the seat beside his son.
“Dad.”
I don’t need to see his face to know Michael is exasperated. Christopher seems very happy to annoy his son about the possibility of having a girlfriend.
“What?” He grins. “I’m just having a bit of fun I missed out on in your high school years.”
Helen’s words from last night take root in my mind. I guess it’s hard to have a girlfriend if you can’t be touched.
Is he a virgin?
I feel a thrill race through me at the idea of being the one to teach him, of sharing that with him. But one look at the way his eyes roam my body as I settle into my seat, I know I won’t be his first.
