He sounds angry, almost. . . hurt.How strange.
“You don’t like my mom?” I wonder aloud.
“I never said that.”
“Then what is it? Why don’t you want them together?” My breath catches in my throat as I realize the true reason. Gage doesn’t want our parents to get married because he doesn’t wantto be tethered tome. “Oh,” I wince.Shit.I hope he didn’t notice the way my voice cracked.
“Don’t put words in my mouth,” he growls, tightening his hold on me further.
I can’t look at him. Not after this. “Fine.”
“I’m leaving after the reception,” he says, like I care what he’s doing.
The change of subject isn’t subtle. I choose not to respond because this entire conversation and dance has been awkward and heart-wrenching.
“My shit is all packed. I’m moving out.”
Why do I care?Stupid.I do, though.
My chest feels tight as his words sink in. The idea of being around me is so distasteful that he can’t stand living in the same house. My mom and I packed most of our belongings in preparation for moving into Mifflin’s place this week, with the start of summer break. Gage just graduated from high school, but I have two years left.
My mother would return after her honeymoon, and I would already have everything unpacked so she could begin her life anew with Mifflin. Never mind that I have to leave the house I was born in and give up living next door to my best friend, Ava Michaels.
“I see,” I finally reply, staring out the long rectangular windows that line the reception hall. Stars glitter beyond the panes and shine like diamonds on rich black velvet. The type of night that’s perfect for stargazing or lounging on a blanket as you stare up at the sky, forgetting that the world can be cruel, but no more than the people in it.
“Leticia.”
The use of my name, myfull name, not just the nickname everyone calls me, snares my attention as I glance up at his face. In his eyes, I see darkness encroaching on the edges of the richbrown, threatening to snuff out the golden hue in the center that reminds me of warm honey.
“I’ll be back for you.”
I blink because that makes no sense. “What?”
“I’m coming back, and you’re the only fucking reason.”
He’s crazy. “You’re leaving, abandoning your family, andnowyou’re telling me this?” It pisses me off, raising my blood pressure. I feel my cheeks bloom with heat.
What the hell? What’s the matter with him?
The flecks of amber in his gaze punch holes in my soul as he holds me hostage, his grip still unrelenting. “Refuse to see the truth. Dismiss the signals I’ve been giving. Act like it’s all a lie. Think whatever you want, sweetheart.”
“You’re nuts,” I declare. There hasn’t been one signal, let alone multiple.
“I don’t care what you do in the next two years.”
What the fuck is he talking about?
“Just know that I’ll be back, and when I do, I’ll be claiming you.”
I rear back like he slapped me, too shocked to speak.
“One day, you’ll know everything, and you’ll fucking fall in love with me, Leticia Marie Jacobs. Until then, I’m leaving you with a promise.”
His mouth slams down onto mine, and every rational thought flees under the hunger-driven assault. Adrenaline dumps into my bloodstream as he deepens the kiss, sliding his tongue into my mouth to delve and consume. The same tongue that knew me intimately and still seems to remember how to coax pleasure from my body. An intoxicating and primal need pulses between my thighs right before Gage groans.
How could one kiss be so all-consuming? It sears my brain. Causes my heart to skip a beat. Brands my fucking soul.
“I’ll be seeing you around, beautiful,” he whispers as he lifts his head, nipping at my bottom lip before soothing the length with his tongue.
