AllFreeNovel
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I’m not ashamed of my circumstances. They’ve shaped who I am, my drive to be successful and determination to be independent. Does it suck to not have parents? Of course. But I think everything happens for a reason and the life I have now is because of everything I’ve gone through in my childhood.
But I also know that I confidently tell people my complete backstory because it’s a defense mechanism. I use it as a shield.Here’s my damage, folks! Your move.
My eyes are glued to Kathryn, waiting for her to react.
“I’m sorry.” Her lips drop in the corners, her small smile now filled with sympathy, but among the sympathy in her blue eyes, there’s understanding. “My own mother passed when I was ten. She struggled with her mental health for many years before that.”
“Oh,” the shock of Kathryn’s own circumstances causes the single word to escape. “I’m so sorry.”
“It was a long time ago, but it shaped my life as I’m sure your mother’s passing has shaped yours.”
I take Kathryn in with a new set of eyes. It’s as if we belong to a club, not one that anyone wants admittance to, but a sisterhood of sorts nonetheless, and it drops my guard.
To hear that someone like Kathryn had a similar family situation growing up is surprising. On the outside, she looks perfect. From what I know, she and Marshall have had a successful marriage while they built a multibillion-dollar company. You’d never guess that she grew up any differently than the beautiful life she’s living now.
“It’s hard to grow up as a woman without a mom. My dad did an amazing job, but there’ve been many moments in my life where I needed a woman’s advice or perspective. And whether Hannah likes it or not, I’ve been determined to be that person for her. The mom I didn’t have.”
“She’s lucky to have you.” I smile. “That’s how I feel about my brother. He’s been the best role model, but there have been things I have struggled to talk to him about. Woman things.”
Kathryn’s smile softens. “If you ever need anything, I’m here.”
“Thank you.”
It’s kind of her to offer, but the second I let it sink in, I know it would be a terrible idea to get attached to Hunter’s mom. To anchor myself to anyone that could so easily leave my life.Like Hunter.
Kathryn asks me more questions about my job and how I like living in the city compared to Las Vegas. The conversation is easy. Ten minutes in and I’ve forgotten how anxious I was about being here with her and Hunter’s dad.
Dinner is delicious, grilled garlic shrimp with grilled veggies and a salad.
I offered many times to help, but Hunter and his dad prepared everything while his mom and I chatted on the porch with the sunset showing off in the distance.
After dinner, we all start cleaning up.
“You want to go for a walk?” Hunter asks.
“Yeah, but let’s help your parents clean up first.”
Marshall waves us on. “We got this. You go on.”
“Thanks, Dad,” Hunter says, guiding me toward the back door.
Once the sun set, it cooled off and I switched out my denim shorts for a pair of jeans.
By the back door, I pull on my sweatshirt, then follow Hunter outside and along the side of the house. With the sun gone, dusk is settling around us, making everything hazy. I expect him to head toward the asphalt driveway, but instead, he motions me toward a worn path through the trees. Inside the trees, fireflies blink around us.
“Is this a ploy to have your way with me in the woods?” I ask.
He chuckles, then loops a finger through one of the belt loops on my jeans and uses it to pull me toward him. “Do you want it to be?”
The two glasses of wine I’ve had is enough to let my desire for Hunter jump into the driver’s seat. I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him down for a kiss. His tongue battles with mine and his hands grip my ass, pulling me closer until I can feel his erection against my stomach. I’m a moment away from asking him to fuck me against a tree when he pulls back.
“Come on, I want to show you something.”
I’m about to make a joke that I’ve already seen his dick when he takes my hand and pulls me along the trail. I can’t see where I’m going, but Hunter holds my hand tight, guiding me through the trees.
He leads me to a tree with a wooden ladder nailed into the trunk. Above us, I can see a wooden platform nestled into the branches with a hole cut out where the ladder enters it.
“Is this your treehouse?” I ask.
