Page 45 of The Image of You

Because I wasn’t going anywhere.

As far as I was concerned, if they walked away from Ally, her life could only get better.

And if they stayed, they were going to have to deal with me when they treated her badly. I was putting an end to that shit.

They were going to have to learn respect was a two-way street.

She needed someone to protect her.

That someone was me.

CHAPTER EIGHT

“Stop taking my picture.”

I smirked but set down the camera on the table and picked up my coffee cup. “Stop being so fucking sexy when you sleep, then.”

She sat up, her hair a bright burst of color around her face. She glared at me drowsily, then she dragged the loose shirt back up her arm. “I highly doubt my drooling is sexy.”

“Your snoring is, though.”

“I don’t snore!” she gasped. “You’re the snorer in this relationship.”

I winked, liking the thought of being in a relationship with her. “I’ll never tell.”

“What time is it?”

“Relax. It’s barely eight. You have lots of time.”

Her shoulders loosened. “Okay.”

“I still think you should cancel.”

“No. I want to tell them today.”

“Why is it so important to do it today?”

“You might think less of me if I tell you.”

I opened my arms. “Come here, Ally.”

She scrambled out of the bed, dragging the blanket with her. When she coiled around me, she was warm and perfect. Her softness molded into my hardness, meshing perfectly. She felt right in my arms, and I wanted to be able to explore it. Explore her.

“Why today?” I asked again.

“Appearance is everything to them. We’ll be in public,” she confessed quietly.

Understanding dawned on me. “They won’t make a scene.”

“They’ll express their displeasure and let me know how much I’ve let them down, but it will all be done very civilly.” She shrugged. “Then once they’ve discussed it, they’ll summon me to let me know in private how disappointed they are in me.”

I shook my head in frustration. “They shouldn’t be disappointed. All you’re doing is what is best for you. Your life. Not theirs. I wish—” I stopped myself from finishing that statement.

“You wish what?”

“I wish they would get the fuck out of your life.”

She was resigned. “They will soon enough.”