“You need to come home, Ingrid. It’s very clear after that conversation you can’t make wise decisions. Sleeping with someone already. I thought you were smarter than that.” She pauses for a moment and then continues. “You really should reconsider ending things with Wilson. He was a perfect match for you. Why are you being so difficult? It’s not like you can pay for school now.”
“First of all, Wilson and I are done. After he struck me, fractured my cheekbone and gave me a concussion, I’d be a fool to go back to him.”
“He was upset.”
I roll my eyes. “That gave him no right, Mother. Upset or not, he had no right to strike me.”
“You shouldn’t have pushed him. Men don’t like it when you do that. Best to keep your mouth shut.” She tsks. “You never were good at that, though, were you? You have only yourself to blame.”
“I’m nobody’s punching bag. I know you don’t understand that, but that’s your problem, not mine. And as far as school is concerned, I’ve found a solution.” I smile, knowing she will not like this one little bit. “I have a job.”
“A job? Why on earth would you want to get a job?” She huffs again. “What kind of job? Please don’t tell me you’re stripping? Was the young man who answered your phone one of your clients? Ingrid, don’t disgrace our family by sinking so low.”
“Wow.” I sit up and think about telling her I work at a club like the one father frequents, but decide to do one better. “Not that kind of job. I’m going to do office work for Darius Falcon. He needs someone to help with billing.”
“A secretary? You’re serious.” The disgust in her voice is loud and clear. “I’m assuming Winifred helped set that up. Did you tell her about our private business? Take the pity job offered to you by her new man, who, by the way, is the one to blame for the problems your father is dealing with now. He hired you only so he could dig up more dirt. I’m disappointed, Ingrid. So very disappointed.”
No need to correct her about Darius being Winifred’s new man. He’s only pretending to be so she and Esteban can keep things between them private. Her parents are a lot like mine. And if they knew their daughter was dating the second in line for the throne, they’d interfere and fuck everything up.
“Father has no one to blame but himself.” I pick up the phone and head for the bathroom, stopping in front of the mirror to stare at my reflection. “Pity job or not, at least I don’t have to return home. I can stay here, where I’m happy, and live the life I’ve always dreamed of. One that doesn’t include Wilson or any of the plans you two had for me. Goodbye, Mother.”
I don’t wait for her to say more. Closing my eyes, I hang up to stop her from insulting me. I nearly jump out of my skin when Darius’s arms wrap around me, pulling me closer.
“Glad to hear you’ve agreed to take the job.” His lips land on the top of my head. “It comes with room and board, health benefits, and a boss who only wants to see you get that dream you crave.”
“I’m not so sure about the living here thing. Especially if it means us sharing a room.” I lean back. “I’m not ready for that, Darius. I need time to wrap my head around last night. This is moving too fast for me. Can we please slow it down?”
I expected to see disappointment on his face. Instead, he rests his head on top of my head and nods. “Absolutely. This place has three other bedrooms. You get your pick. We’ll go grab your stuff later. No arguing. I won’t even be here most of the time. My work keeps me on the move, so most of the time you’ll get this place all to yourself, giving you time and space to figure things out. I’m not going anywhere. You don’t have to decide right away. We can keep working on this friendship thing first, only adding inbenefitsif and when you decide you want to.”
I nod and try not to let him see how his kindness affects me.
“But I warn you.” He leans forward and whispers in my ear. “Once we go there, there will be no turning back. I like you, Ingrid, and not just as a friend.”
He places a quick kiss on the side of my neck and then steps back. “Now hurry up. I’ll make us breakfast. Then after we fill our bellies, we’ll move you in. There are some clothes in the side drawer next to the side of the bed you were sleeping on. And before you go there, they belong to my sisters, who often stop by without warning.”
“Why?” I ask when he steps back. “Seriously, why are you doing this?”
“I get it.” He leans against the door frame and shrugs. “I know the suffocating sensation of feeling like you’re drowning. Been there. I had a friend who offered me his support. But I won’t pretend that’s the only reason. You are special, cupcake.It brings me great pleasure to put a smile on your face and offer you the freedom to live the life you want, not the one others want for you. That’s it. Simple.”
Nothing about this feels simple. Although I’ll admit his kindness has taken a burden off my shoulders, one I’ve carried for way too long.
Chapter 16
Ingrid
Late August
Five weeks have passed since Darius moved me into the condo he recently purchased, maybe rented. I’m not sure, nor did I want to ask him point blank. It’s close to campus, making it easy to walk there. The place is way nicer than what I would’ve been able to afford on my own.
It feels weird living here with him. Not necessarily a bad weird.
Not much has happened since the sensual kiss we shared at the club. I was exhausted from the stress of my situation. He hasn’t pushed me. Given me the space I’ve requested while I sort out my life.
I now live in one of the three guest rooms. Haven’t returned to his room since I woke up in it the following morning. I’m still shocked nothing happened that night, thankful he’s more of a gentleman than I’d first predicted.
I mean, sure, his face had been between my thighs while I rode it, but I blame the craziness of the night for that. He’sdialed it back since. Playful, flirtatious, stealing kisses that left me breathless, on the edge of blacking out for how hard they hit. But that’s where things ended. He hasn’t pushed for more, not once.
Okay, so maybe it’s less about restraint and more about the fact we’re both swamped. He’s buried in work; I’m drowning in classes. When I’m not cramming for exams, I’m at practice—two-a-days, morning runs and mid-afternoons doing drills, with weights in between. If I’m not studying, I’m on the pitch. Add in weeknight games and weekend tournaments that eat up entire days with travel, and there’s barely room left to breathe. Soccer—fútbol—eats every spare second I have. There’s no place left for distractions.
