AllFreeNovel
Share Us
It’s been two months since that horrifying night, and while I still have nightmares of that creep who used his access as a professor to research and torment unsuspecting young women, it’s getting less and less frequent.
There was a lot of media coverage when he was caught. Apparently, it wasn’t his first rodeo, which wasn’t surprising to me. He’s had several lawsuits and complaints from his previous universities. The victims came forward, and now he’ll most likely spend the rest of his days in prison.
At the graduation earlier, I couldn’t hold back my tears when Dad and Andrew posed for a photo with me. There’s a bit of awkwardness and discomfort, especially when Dad remembers I’m Andrew’s girlfriend now. But it’s been better. Dad knows things could’ve been so much worse if Andrew didn’t save me.
They’re both trying. Andrew invites Dad for beers every other week, and Dad does the same. I don’t doubt we’ll all be okay eventually.
My phone pings. It’s Andrew.
Ready? I’ll pick you up in 5.
I send a quick reply and finish my light makeup with a sweep of clear lip gloss. Standing up in my old bedroom, I check my dress and hair. I wonder why I’m nervous. I’ve been on several dates with him, but I’m on edge. Maybe because it’s the first time he’s picking me up from Dad’s house?
“Ands, he’s here!” Dad calls from downstairs.
I slip on my heels and head out. He’s waiting outside his new car, looking so freaking good in a three-piece suit. God, he’ll give all those male models a run for their money but in a much more rugged, worldly way.
He stands to his full height, and even in my heels, I still don’t come up to his chin.
“Bring her home by eight, asshole,” Dad says, tipping the bottle to his mouth and leaning against the door.
“It’s already seven. So I’m assuming you mean eight in the morning?”
“Get the fuck outta here.”
“Dad, language!” I tell him.
“Sorry, Ands.” He turns back and closes the door.
Andrew opens the car door for me and holds out his hand. He’s not driving his truck tonight. Good. It would be so hard to climb in and out with this outfit and shoes.
“I want to kiss you but I think your dad is still watching from the window,” he murmurs.
I can’t help but giggle. “Where are you taking me?”
“You’ll see,” he smirks.
He takes me to a Michelin-star restaurant outside of town. This hidden gem exudes a rustic charm. It’s cozy and inviting, with few patrons inside. We pass through the dining area, and I’m momentarily confused. That is, until Andrew leads me to a spiral staircase at the back.
I gasp when I find myself in a private roof deck area. There’s no one else here, just me and Andrew. The view is breathtaking, and this secluded spot is tastefully decorated too. A wooden pergola with climbing vines and string lights. Potted plants and floral arrangements.
In the middle sits a wooden table with two plush seats. Candlelight flickers gently while soft music plays in the background.
“You like it?” Andrew asks, his eyes gleaming with something.
“Yes,” I breathe. “I love it.”
We sit down and enjoy our meal, which consists of my favorite foods. I have no idea how he managed to pull this off, but it’s Andrew. When he wants something, he does everything in his power to make it happen.
When dinner’s over, he reaches for my hand and brushes my knuckles along his lips. Tingling sensations make me clench my thighs. This always happens whenever he touches me.
“Before we have our dessert, I need to tell you something first,” he says, voice low and sexy. God, this man and the things he does to me.
“What is it?”
He stands in front of me before sinking down to one knee. Breath catches in my throat, the weight of anticipation building within me. “Andrea, I fell in love with you the moment I saw you at my door. Everything just fell into place. You filled a part of me I didn’t even know was empty. I love you, Andrea. And I want to share everything with you from this day forward. Will you make me the happiest man in the world and marry me?”
He opens the box, revealing a cushion-cut diamond ring in white gold. I choke back a sob. “Yes, Andrew. Yes, I’ll marry you! I love you so, so much!”
