Page 36 of Her Wedding Night

“I’m just saying I don’t want to sex shame anyone.” She blushes. “I was more innocent two days ago.”

My cock pulses to life.

Fucking not the time, champ.

And then I realize what she said. “They kidnapped you, Lucy. It’s okay to sex-shame kidnappers.”

She nibbles on her lip again. “I went willingly.”

I grunt. “You didn’t know what you were agreeing to.”

“Okay.” Nolan nods. “I’ve got a clearer picture now. Lucy, you’re okay staying here with Gabriel for the weekend?”

“Yes,” she whispers.

He looks at me. “You’ve got a good security system here?”

“The best.”

Another nod. “All right.” He stands. “Will I see you in class on Monday, Lucy?”

“She’ll be there,” I promise.

And I won’t be very far away the whole time.

CHAPTER 19

LUCY

As soon as Dr. Adler leaves, Gabriel pins me down on the couch. Hands above my head, lower body pinned in place by his heavy weight.

“Stop taking out your worry on your lower lip,” he says, frowning.

Then he kisses me there.

“What’s going to happen?” I ask.

“Dunno. That’s not for you to worry about. Your job is to stay here and stay safe. And then go to school on Monday with your head held high.”

I want to bite my lip so bad.

I don’t.

After a beat, Gabriel lets me up, and I scramble into his lap.

“You’re going to be okay, baby.” He kisses my forehead. “And don’t worry about those shitheads. They got themselves into trouble. They can deal with the consequences.”

I wrap my arms around his neck. “And what about you? We haven’t even talked about the shitty things Ethan said to you.”

He clears his throat. “Yeah. Well, that’ll work itself out one way or another, too. I’m not really sure what to do, to be honest.When I found out I had a kid, I planned to love him forever, you know?”

“I don’t know.” I shrug and hug him tighter, bringing my face to press to his. “Foster kid. I’ve never had a parent who could love me forever.”

Something ticks in his jaw so hard I feel it against my cheek.

“Want to adopt me?” I say it lightly. A joke, the way I’ve always used humor to protect me from the sadness.

“I would.”

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