I stretch up and kiss his gorgeous mouth. “And I’m in this for the long run too, Adam.” My cheeks heat as I prepare to open myself up to him. “I’ve never considered too far into the future, because I never truly believed I had one worth daydreaming over. But then I met you, and now I see endless possibilities.”
His lips slam onto mine, and his kisses are fiercely passionate and brimming with emotion. My heart swells to bursting point, and I know what I’m feeling is true love. I know we’re still in the honeymoon stage, and all this creeping around adds a layer of excitement, but I know what’s in my heart.
I’m in love with Adam Miller.
I love him with every part of me.
Enough to want to be a better version of myself because he deserves the absolute best.
“I want so many things with you, Em,” he rasps over my mouth. “And I see endless possibilities too.” He places his forehead to mine, peering deep into my eyes. His gaze burns a hole in mine. “The road ahead may be rocky, but I feel like I can achieve anything as long as I have you by my side.”
Intense emotion lands on my chest, and I’m so happy I could scream.
“I love you, Emily Parker,” he adds, admitting it in words for the first time. “And I want the whole world to know.”
I peck his lips, swiping at a few errant tears creeping out of the corners of my eyes. “I love you too, Adam. But I think we should start with my dad first.”
His mouth curves up at the corners. “Sounds like a plan.” He tucks me under his arm again, steering me toward the parking lot, dusting my face with kisses the whole time, and I’m floating on cloud nine.
* * *
I’ve still gota massive grin on my face the following night as I leave the library after a tutoring session. I’m practically skipping along the sidewalk, high on the wings of love. I snicker to myself. My inner thoughts have been corny as fuck all day, but I couldn’t give two shits. I’m in love, and it’s the best feeling in the world.
Even the fact I won’t see Adam this weekend doesn’t dampen my mood too much. Because I know we’re having dinner with Dad Monday night to tell him about our relationship, and after that, I will be stuck to Adam like glue. I didn’t bother extending the dinner invite to Mom because she wouldn’t come and she wouldn’t approve of Adam. He’s not a rich prick from an asshole family, so she won’t want to know him.
Mom’s like a bear with a sore head since Wes got arrested. Girls are coming out of the woodwork in droves, and it’s clear Wes and his crew won’t be buying their way out of this mess anytime soon.
I love it when karma delivers by the bucketload.
Although, I’m not happy so many girls suffered at his hands.
At least he’s been stopped now.
While the university has come under attack, it still doesn’t fully explain Mom’s mood. We have barely seen her, and anytime she is home, she’s snapping and snarking and lashing out.
Dad and I are like our own little island, distancing ourselves from Carole and her drama, a little bit more by the day.
I’m lost in my own little bubble as I walk, and before I know it, I’m at our house. A strange sleek, black sedan is parked at the curb. An ominous sense of foreboding sweeps across my skin, and I’m instantly on alert as I walk up the four steps toward the front door, noticing it’s slightly ajar.
“You shouldn’t have come here,” Mom hisses. “It’s too dangerous!”
I rush to flatten my body against the brick siding in between the tall window and door, hoping to hide myself from sight. I check the window and release a quiet sigh that the blinds are closed.
“You wouldn’t answer my calls, so you left me no choice!” A deep, baritone voice says.
All the fine hairs lift on my arms, and butterflies scatter in my chest.
“For good reason, Richard! Are you that desperate to get laid you couldn’t wait until the weekend?”
“I miss you, sweetheart.” He pronounces it like swee-heart, and panic swells in my throat. My legs buckle, and I clutch onto the wall for support.
“That’s not a good enough excuse. We need to stick to the plan. Now go before Grayson or Emily make an appearance.”
My heart is stuttering behind my rib cage, and I’ve lost the ability to breathe. Acute fear has a vise grip on my internal organs, and I can’t suck enough oxygen into my lungs. Heavy footsteps come toward me. I dart around the house and behind the manicured hedges along the side, wishing I had Harry Potter’s invisibility cloak to hide myself.
I peek up just as the hulking form stops under the portico, and he turns ever so slightly. “This isn’t like last time, Carole. I love you, and I’m going nowhere this time.”
“Just go you…you fucking idiot!” Mom hisses as she scans the property. “Anyone could see you, and my reputation is already in shreds. I will see you over the weekend like we arranged. Grayson will be gone until Sunday night.”
