Page 33 of His Coveted Obsession

I sighed happily against him. “I wish I could smell you. You always smell so good.”

“When your stuff gets here, I’m going to leave and get you groceries. I can’t have you hungry.”

“That’s sonice, but you don’t have to.”

“Idohave to. You need to maintain your health at all times. Your father needs to get his shit together. He’s harming you, and I won’t stand for it.”

I smiled sleepily. “He’s harming himself more. I know he loves Annie and me. He really does care, but addictions are tricky. I’ve had to research gambling addictions to understand him. At the end of the day, only he can stop if he really wants to.”

“I can make him,” he growled in a voice that sent shivers down my body. I had no doubt Easton could be persuasive, but it still wouldn’t change my father.

“He’ll learn eventually.”

“Only after you’re hurt by him enough to ruin your relationship. Negligence can be as bad as abuse. Or they shut their eyes to the abuse because they can’t be bothered to care. Your father needs to be dealt with because if I find you like this again with no food, I’m going to hurt something or someone.”

His body was hard and tense against me as he tapped faster on his leg.

I rested my hand on his chest, feeling his rapidly beating heart on my palm. One thing I’ve noticed about Easton was that he was calm, cool, and collected most of the time, but he had moments of anger that came with this over-protective vibe. It would’ve been scary had I not known how he felt about me. He was honest about everything, even with his anger. Easton was… pure.

“Is that what happened to you?”

“Yes. My father knew my mother was abusing me for years. He never stopped her. Maybe he didn’t know the details, but he knew enough to intervene, and he never did. But what did he care?”

I sat up, blew my nose, and climbed onto his lap. He looked at me curiously, but didn’t stop me. “What the hell? Sheabusedyou?”

“Yes, and if she didn’t get her way, or I tried to tell anyone, she would beat me. She was a monster, and I’m glad she’s… dead. My father was murdered and I’m glad of that, too.”

I rested my hands on his chest as my eyes watered again. I couldn’t even imagine the pain he’d suffered. My poor Easton. “Oh, god, East… I’m so sorry. You told me you suffered, but I didn’t know how by much. It’s a wonder you turned out so amazingly. So beautiful. So perfect.”

He gave me a curt nod. “I strive to be my best.”

“It shows.”

“If your father doesn’t change, I will make him see the light.”

My smile turned crooked. “He loves us. I know he does. Let me handle him, okay?”

“Fine. I will for now, but I will not tolerate you being neglected.”

“I guess it’s a good thing I have you, then.”

“I’ll take care of you. And you’ll take care of my needs.”

“Definitely. God, I wish I could kiss you right now.”

Before he could say anything, the doorbell rang. “That’s your medicine and food. Stay put and I’ll bring it up to you.”

My face bloomed with heat from his dedication to and care of me. After years of taking care of my sister and my dad, trying to help make ends meet while pursuing an education to better myself, I had to admit that being cared for felt really good.

“Okay. Thanks, East.”

He nodded and left the room.

I climbed under my covers and waited, filled with such a profound sense of love for him. Being in love was new for me. I wanted to tell him, and while he would like me to be honest and straightforward, I still felt it was too soon to say anything, and I didn’t want him running for the hills.

Easton returned shortly after with an old tray he must have found in the kitchen. We used to use it for Mom when she was going through chemotherapy. It was covered with a large bowl of steaming soup, a glass of water, some pills, a box of tissues, and a fresh bread roll.

My damn eyes leaked again. I tended to get more emotional when I was sick.

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