Page 39 of His Coveted Obsession

“Just say thank you.”

His smile was small as he pulled me into a hug and rested his head on my shoulder. “It definitely helps me rest easier if there’s an emergency. Thank you, Superman.”

It was such a weird and ridiculous name, but I liked being his. I never had a person of my own before, not including Sid. Thomas was a different sort of ownership.

“You’re welcome. But there is one caveat.”

“Yeah, anything.”

“Your father doesnotsee a dime of it.”

“He will never get his hands on my money. And this gives us so much breathing room. I’mso grateful to you.”

I gave him a devious smile for show, hoping he would like it. “You can show me how grateful you are on our next date at my place.”

He held my face and pressed his forehead to mine. “Oooh, are we talking naughty gratitude?”

“Yes.”

“You have all of me.”

Eastonpickedmeupin his sexy Porsche several days later, driving at breakneck speeds through the city, and toward his apartment for dinner and sex. We hadn’t had much fun for a couple of weeks because I’d been sick and Easton had been busy, so our schedules hadn’t meshed.

My stomach flipped and tingled with excitement at having him again. I’d never had a man this interested in me, and I loved how protective and possessive he was.

Love.

There was that word again.

Yep, I think I’ve loved him since our first date. I never believed instant love was a thing, but there I was, falling in love after only a few weeks. Easton was my everything.

As he drove, he talked little. He wasn’t one for idle chit-chat, so I often had to fill in the silence.

“I’m really struggling with microbiology. It’s hard. I thought chemistry was bad, but at least I have Justin to help. On the last test, I barely passed. I try to give myself some slack because I work a lot, take care of my sister, go to school, have homework, and spend my free time with you. But I need to do better. I want to be an amazing nurse, and I can’t succeed if I can’t do well in my classes. Annie’s a better student than I ever was.” I stared out at the window as the city blurred by. “Sorry for the rambling. I don’t really have anyone to talk to about all this. I talk to Justin, but he has his own life and worries.”

“You talk a lot. I thought it would irritate me, but it doesn’t. I’ll get you a tutor.”

My body warmed with even more love for him. “Always the problem solver. I really… adore that about you. You just take charge and get things done. That’s your superpower, Superman. I wish I had that power.” My face burned because I’d nearly told him I loved him. I had to catch myself.

“I have that privilege to do what I need to. You don’t. If I were broke, I wouldn’t be able to help you.”

“And I wouldn’t care if you were broke, either. I have no doubt you would problem-solve your way out of every situation. You’re very decisive, which is really… attractive to me. My mind wars with itself all the time as I try to come up with solutions, but I end up throwing most of them in the proverbial garbage.”

“Then I’ll decide for you. You will have a tutor. I had a tutor once instead of going to school. He was the only adult I actuallyliked growing up. He tried to help me, but my mother ruined him.”

God, I couldn’t imagine his fear and loneliness growing up, having no one to turn to. I reached for his thigh and rested my hand there, hoping I conveyed how much I cared about him.

He quickly glanced at me before looking back onto the road, and I left my hand there.

Dinnerconsistedofroastedchicken, wild rice, and a salad. Easton ate his methodically, as if he counted his every bite, watching me.

“I’ve given you the exact proportions of food. Please eat it all. I need you to be healthy and fit.”

As long as Easton was in my life, I knew he would always take good care of me, so I had to find a way to make sure he stayed there. I could definitely take care of myself, but it was nice to be doted on and watched over. It had been such a long time since someone was looking out for my best interests. Annie did, but she was too young to do anything helpful other than keep the house clean with me.

“My fathers would like to have you over soon to meet you.”

I swallowed my bite of onion and cucumber. “Oh, I would love to meet them.”

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