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“Are you sure you have to go back home?” Shane asked, staring at me with his black brows furrowed. One of his hands on the steering wheel and the other on my knee.
“I can’t keep crashing at your place like that. It feels like I moved in with you,” I joked, and he chuckled.
“Not that I would mind.” He smirked wickedly to the side, and I bit my lower lip. God, the effect this man had on me. His mere smirk was enough to set my body on fire.
“You’re unbelievable.” I giggled. “We’ve known each other for a few days.”
“So?” he teased before focusing on the road.
I couldn’t fight the broad smile desperately forming on my lips as I watched the man of my dreams casually shifting the gears. He wore a slightly unbuttoned shirt, perfectly embracing his toned muscles, a silver ring on his little finger, a cross chain underneath the black fabric of his shirt, and a brow piercing he always wore. His dark hair was shaved short on the sides, longer on top, going to the left side, and dark sunglasses hiding his azure piercing gaze, which I loved the most.
“You’re doing that again,” he said teasingly.
“I’m doing what again?”
“Drooling over me.” He lowered his sunglasses to wink at me, grinning.
“You cocky bastard,” I gasped, rolling my eyes before chuckling.
“You love it, babe,” he teased, and we both laughed.
He was right, though. In my own twisted way, I found it attractive. The way self-confidence radiated from him miles away drew me in like a magnet. I loved his alpha male attitude. I loved his courage and confidence. I loved the fierce spark in his eyes and the indomitable spirit.
I realized I was falling for this man.Hard.
And there was no turning back.
BEFORE I KNEW IT, we parked in the driveway of my father’s mansion. I glanced over at the vast white building surrounded by a stunning stone fence and a well-maintained vivid garden with a fountain in the front yard and exhaled heavily.
“We can still go back to my place,” Shane said as he took my hand, leaning toward me.
“It’s okay, Shane. It’s still myhome,” I replied, my tone on the verge of sarcasm and sorrow.
“If it was up to me, I wouldn’t let you go.” He pressed his lips softly to my forehead before I pulled back, unfastening the seat belt. “Just promise me you won’t let him mistreat you, babe.”
“I’ve learned how to deal with him.” I forced a smile. “I may look vulnerable, but I’m stronger than you think.”
“I know, Melanie,” Shane said softly, caressing my cheek. His piercing eyes set on mine. “That’s my girl.”
I kissed Shane goodbye before getting out of the car. I walked toward my home, looking back to send a smile to the man I wished I had stayed with. But I knew I couldn’t. Life wasn’t a fairy tale, and as much as I didn’t like it, I had to face my reality. I took a deep breath before entering the luxurious home, reflecting my father’s love for splendor.
“WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN?!” I jumped, gasping at the harsh tone welcoming me as soon as I stepped inside.
I examined my father, who, at first glance, in his tailored suit and grayish hair neatly combed back, looked like a trustworthy man. My gaze moved to my elegant mother standing next to him in her favorite navy knee-length dress, with a black belt around her waist. Her usually wavy, shoulder-length sunny-blonde hair was pulled back in a low bun. They both had their brown gazes focused on me, except my mother’s was troubled and my father’s vexed.
“I asked you a question!” he shouted, giving me a spiteful look. “You haven’t returned for the night, didn’t answer our calls. Your mother was worried!”
“I was with Shane,” I said dryly.
“You slut!” my father hissed angrily. He wanted to proceed with giving me shit, but my mother intervened.
“Dedrick, please!” she said pleadingly.
“I’ll go to my room.” I felt resentful that all she ever did was plead with him, only to prevent a situation like this one from escalating. But she was never more than that. It hurt that my mother had never been my rock. I always envied the mother-daughter bond my friends had with their mothers, but I’d accepted it for how it was. Maybe I shared the blame because I never tried harder. Nonetheless, she never taught me that. She never showed me I could have a bond with her, so the idea of having it felt so distant.
I turned on my heel and headed toward the stairs. I wanted to be above him. Them. I wanted to avoid any unnecessary drama. But then I heard him again.
