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“Shouldn’t I shower first?”
“No, it’s okay if you get it wet. You want to avoid getting soap in the cut though.”
“Okay.”
He finishes dressing the wound, and I expect him to tell me I can sit up. Instead, he says, “Thank you for protecting my daughter.”
I turn my face toward him, unable to hide my surprise or the truth that comes out of my mouth. “I’d do anything for Valerie, even give my life to save hers.”
Keith looks at me, and I realize he knows about Valerie and me. It’s the anguished and conflicted glint in his eyes that clues me in.
“You care a lot about my daughter… more than a stepbrother usually would.”
I sit up so I’m not in a vulnerable position anymore. “I love your daughter, and she loves me.”
Keith clenches his jaw tight and doesn’t speak for several beats. Whatever he says here will determine the course of my life. I can’t speak for Valerie, but if she doesn’t pick me over her father, it won’t be a good day for humanity. I can already feel the darkness swirling in my chest. Getting bigger. Out of control.
“I’ll be honest—it’ll take me some time to get used to the idea. But not because I don’t think you’re worthy of Valerie.”
“It’s the whole stepsiblings situation that’s tripping you up.”
He nods. “But after what you did for Valerie, I know you’ll protect my little girl when I can’t.”
If he only knew his “little girl” is more than capable of protecting herself. But I bite my tongue.
“Are you saying you won’t stand in our way?” I ask, needing him to spell it out for me because I’m still on edge.
“No, I won’t. But I’m not ready to see you two together romantically. So while you’re under my roof, no PDA.”
I jump off the table and put my pants back on. I can’t believe we had this conversation while I wasn’t wearing any. “I can deal with that.”
“Just… don’t tell your mother yet, all right?”
Oh, jeez. What a great marriage those two have. It’s almost laughable that they’re both trying to keep my relationship with Valerie a secret from each other. But I won’t betray my mother and tell Keith she already knows.
“I won’t.” I head for the door, but before I walk out, I look over my shoulder and ask, “When did you find out?”
He turns away, avoiding my gaze. “Last night, when I caught you two in the garage.”
Fuck. I wonder if he heard us. He must have, but I’m not going to ask. I leave his office without saying another word and make a beeline for the bathroom, hoping Valerie is still in the shower. Keith said he didn’t want to see any displays of affection, but he never told me I couldn’t rail his daughter in his house.
eighteen
Valerie
The water seems to keep running red no matter how long I stay in the shower. I didn’t lie to Eric. It was satisfying to kill those fuckers in a messy way, but hell, the aftermath is killer. I think I’ll stick to poison.
The bathroom door opens, and I turn around. “What are you doing in here? Our folks are home.”
Eric takes off his shirt and then replies, “You’re taking too long, and all this dried blood is making my skin itch.”
“You’re joining me?” My tone rises in pitch, but it’s from excitement, not apprehension.
He removes his pants and underwear and opens the shower stall door. “Yes, kitty cat. I am.”
“There’s not enough room,” I complain, only to be a brat.
He grabs my neck and pushes me against the tiled wall, so now he’s under the hot jets. My heart is going a hundred miles per hour, but I don’t fight him. Just watch, mesmerized, as he throws his head back and lets the water rain on his face. That arched neck is an invitation. I want to lick it, bite it, and I would have if Eric wasn’t holding me in place.
