I groan loudly as I pull her down one last time, filling her deep with my cum.
She rests her forehead on my shoulder, and I move my hands to her waist as we both try to slow our breathing.
“You’re amazing,” I murmur into her hair as my thumbs stroke her smooth skin.
Raising her head, she takes mine in her hands and places a firm kiss on my lips.
Pulling away, she says, “Be careful with your words, Pretty Boy. I really like you, and I may want to keep you.”
“I would love that.”
Nipping her lip, I stand and carry her into the bathroom for a shower.
Thirty-Six
“What are you doing?” I grumble. Peeking one eye open in the early-morning light, I watch Ryan pull a hoodie over his head. “You never wake up first.”
Leaning over, he brushes the hair from my face and kisses my temple. “Go back to sleep. It’s still early. I’m going to go for a quick run before we have breakfast and drive back to Emerley.”
Inhaling his citrusy scent, I close my eyes and snuggle deeper under the heavy duvet. “Be careful. Don’t get eaten by a bear.”
“I’ll do my best,” he snickers. “See you soon.”
I doze in and out of sleep for I don’t know how long before my bladder decides I need to get up. I slip out of bed naked and pad across the cool hardwood floor to the bathroom.
On the way back, I grab Ryan’s T-shirt from the floor and quickly throw it over my head. I hesitate for a moment before retrieving my phone from my purse. It’s been almost a full day unplugged. This is a personal record for me, so I don’t feel guilty for wanting to do some mindless scrolling to see what I missed on social media while I wait for Ryan to get back.
Jumping back into bed, I pull the blankets around me and turn it on. And instantly regret it. I should have locked it in the truck or given it to Ryan to hold on to.
There are multiple missed calls and messages, all from my father, followed by one text message directing me to check my email. Do I listen to his messages or save myself some grief and read what’s on his mind? I worked with Jenna for months in setting boundaries with my parents. I don’t want to cut them out of my life completely, but all our interactions are now on my terms. Steeling myself, I open the lengthy email.
Beck,
Since you will not answer my phone calls, I have resorted to corresponding with you by email.
Imagine my shock and embarrassment when I received a phone call from Braden telling me you had called the police on him. He is absolutely devastated that you made up such vicious lies.
I pinch the bridge of my nose and close my eyes. I should have seen this coming. Of course he would call my father. He needs an ally. Why not choose someone who is already critical of my life choices?
Your mother and I never understood why you would break up with such a good man. You were together for years, and we assumed marriage and children were the next logical step. We thought that once you came to your senses, you would reconcile and move forward.
Good man, my ass. I wish I had gotten to experience the good man. Not the version of him I got. He certainly has them fooled.
Prior to your latest stunt, he expressed that he would be willing to try again despite being so hurt. I no longer believe this to be true. You have broken his heart.
What heart?
He believes your friends are influencing your poor decisions. They are poisoning you against him. Did you know they continue to harass him daily?
My nose flares, and I grind my teeth. Nobody knows how many times I lied. Minimized the truth and buried my feelings, so Braden wouldn’t look like an asshole. I protected his nice-guy image for far too long.
It has gotten so bad that it is affecting his mental health, and he’s considering moving to a new town. If you truly don’t want to be in a relationship with him, quit giving him mixed signals. Yes, he told me you were flirting with him over text. Let him move on and find happiness with someone new who recognizes his value.
You’ve got to be kidding me. I swallow my anger as I continue to read.
Even though it shouldn’t surprise me, he said you’re sleeping with your therapist.
I toss my phone on the nightstand without finishing reading. What the fuck. Why would he tell my parents that? Why drag Ryan into this? For one, it’s not true, but rumours like that could destroy his reputation.
