Page 37 of Married Into Love

“Alec has a whole life in Chicago. A job on a team he loves. Family and friends. An apartment,” Irattledoff.

“And?”

“And I don’t have a job here anymore. Or an apartment. No friends really, except on Facebook. Just you and Mom,” I finishedsoftly.

“Are you trying to tell me you’re going to move toChicago?”

I nodded. “I just decided today. We haven’t made any plans yet, and Alec said he doesn’t have to be there until early September. So I’m not going to run out on you tomorrow or anything like that. We’ll stay until I know you’re settledsomewheresafe.”

“No, Alessia.” She shook her head. “You’re not going to wait to start your life with Alec because of me. I’m already okay. You found me an amazing place to stay for a while, for free. I’m going to use this time to save up so I’ll be able to afford a really nice place all on my own. No roommates. Just me being responsible for myself.Finally.”

“But whatabout—”

She cut me off with a squeeze of my hand. “You don’t get it. Mom and Dad were shit parents. We really drew the short straw there, but having you for my sister has always more than made up for it. I love you, and I want you to be happy. You’re in love with Alec. Go be happy,dammit.”

I burst into tears, and we both jumped up to hug each other. “I love you too, and I’m going to miss yousomuch!”

“I’m going to miss you right back. But we can talk, text, and FaceTime as often as we want. And I’ll try not to worry too much since you’ll have your white knight to lookafteryou.”

“Only if he’s ever done with the bookie,” I whined. As though he’d heard my frustrated complaint, the door opened and Alecwalkedin.

“You’re back!” I cried. Ariana let me go, and I ran towards Alec and jumped into his arms. “How diditgo?”

“What the fuck, beautiful? Are you okay?” Alec asked, spinning me around and setting me on my feet so his back was to Ariana when he cupped my cheeks and swiped mytearsaway.

“Yeah, I was just telling Ariana that I’m going to move to Chicago with you and I got all emotional because I’m going tomissher.”

“Ah,okay.”

“But how did it goforyou?”

“It’s all good,” he assured as he turned and led me over to the couch. He sat down and pulled me onto his lap. We shared a private smile, both of us thinking about our serious conversation rule. “The debt is paid, and the guy isn’t going to extend any additional credit toyourmom.”

“How’d you manage that?” Arianaasked.

“He was a hockey fan.” Alec shrugged, as though thatexplainedit.

I quirked an eyebrow at him. “And what? He fan-girledoveryou?”

Alec’s cheeks filled with heat, and it was so darn adorable. “I wouldn’t call it that since we’re talking about hockey, but he recognized me. Asked if I’d autograph a few things for him. I told him I’d be happy to sign as much stuff as he wanted if he’d cut your mom off in the future, so we madeadeal.”

“You’re amazing,” I breathed, staring up at himinawe.

“And on that note, I’m outta here.” Ariana clapped Alec on the shoulder as he walked past us, and mouthed “tell him” to me from behindhisback.

“Is she gone?” he asked when the doorbangedshut.

“Yes.”

“Thank fuck.” He kicked off his shoes, yanking my shorts down my legs and my shirt over my head before lifting me off the floor and tossing me on themattress.

“Holy crap!” I squeaked as I bounced a couple of times. I landed on my back with my head resting on the pile of pillows at the top ofthebed.

He quickly followed after me, his palms going to my breasts to cup them. His thumbs swept over my pebbled nipples, and then he bent down to suck one into his mouth. Hard. I felt each deep pull in my womb, like there was a direct line between my breasts and my drenched core. By the time he let go of it with a pop, I was writhingbeneathhim.

“Walking into that place, all I could think about was getting back out of there in one piece so I could come home to you.” His heated blue gaze swept over my face. “I’m man enough to admit, I wasworried.”

“I was, too,” I admittedsoftly.

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