"We don't have a choice. It’s his only job, his only way to provide."
"I don't understand your dad's reasoning." His gaze fell to my pink gemstone earring as he rubbed a finger over it. I watched his expression for a brief moment as he played with my ear.
The excitement of him touching me never got old.
"He didn’t trust anyone to babysit me. I was safer with him. And I was safe. I’d watch TV in the living room while he worked. The only woman who had someone at the house was your mom and she kept you a secret from my dad. So did I. I didn’t want to lose you,” I whispered, taking his hand and bringing it near my chest. "Do you remember the day when my dad finally found out about you?"
"How could I not remember?” he said softly.
"We didn't see each other for a year—“
"A year of hell because my mom missed your dad like crazy, and I went crazy from missing you."
"I went crazy too.” I smiled sadly, thinking back to those days. "He missed your mom like crazy, you know. I think he loved her. I think he still does.”
Connor sighed. "Please don't tell him about me, or about us still being here. It's very important that he doesn't find out."
"I promise." I palmed his cheek. “But I wanna ask why. Why you guys left. I have this feeling that it wasn't because of Emma's mom."
"It wasn't."
I grabbed his face with both hands. "She fell in love with him, didn't she?"
"Yes and then ..." Connor stopped talking and pressed his lips in a hard line. "Tonight is about you and me. I don't want to think about anything else."
"Okay," I agreed, pulling him in until I could feel his warm breath on my lips.
"I want to kiss you everywhere, every inch of your skin tonight," he breathed. "You're beauty dots, are they everywhere?" He inched closer.
"Yes."
“I'll kiss each and every one.”
I swallowed nervously, licking my lips.
"But if you're not ready, I'll only kiss where you're comfortable and hold you till morning."
I bit down on my bottom lip, angry at myself, but I wasn’t ready for Connor to see me intimately. "Hold me?"
"Yes, baby. I'll hold you forever."
I rolled over and pulled his arm around me, snuggling close to him.
"If you fall asleep, sweet dreams, sweetheart..."
I closed my eyes and enjoyed the beautifulness of us together.
Chapter 12
The sun shined brightly as Connor snored quietly. I smiled, thinking of last night.
Right before I’d fallen asleep, Connor whispered, "Every second that I was away from you, I wanted to come back and take you away from here, from this life, from all the secrets we’ve had to keep. I want you to wake up happy and to go to sleep happy, and not have to carry the pain you're carrying. I love you."
I love you too, Connor.
I felt him starting to stir. ”It's time to wake up," he whispered softly against my neck. "Time to get ready for school, sleeping beauty."
I smiled and rolled over to see his gorgeous morning face, wrapping my leg around him. He smiled back with tired eyes.
"Good morning."
"Good morning to you," I whispered, gazing down to where he pressed against my lower belly.
"Sorry, it happens every morning,” he apologized with a lopsided grin. He tried to slide away from me, but I stopped him, pressing my heel into his butt and holding him in place.
"No, don't leave."
"Hmmm," he breathed. "I'm trying to be a gentleman, but you're making it very hard. Don't stop me or I might just convince you to let me have my way with you." He kissed my nose and gently unhooked my leg from him.
I stuck my bottom lip out in protest and he shook his head at my pouty face. I watched as he walked out of my room toward the bathroom, then I stretched and rolled out of bed. I left Connor alone to do his business, heading to my dad's bathroom to get ready.
***
I met Amber in the cafeteria for breakfast. I grabbed my food and headed over to the table where she was sitting with Elizabeth. They smiled as I sat down.
"Elizabeth was just talking about how much she wants to get into Mr. Tomlinson's pants." Amber raised her eyebrows.
"Hey, I'm a girl who knows what she wants. He's going to be mine."
"It's always the quiet ones." Amber laughed. "I didn't know you had these thoughts in you."
"He's a man. He won’t say no for long. They never do."
A chill ran through me. Her words had struck me like a punch to the gut.
“Hey, are you okay?” Amber reached for my arm.
I stood. ”I'm fine. I'll see you in first period."
I left my food and walked out of the cafeteria, heading directly for Connor's class. As I walked down the hall, the principal walked towards me, Connor at his side. My mind swam with messy thoughts.