Page 46 of His Coveted Obsession

“Notimeforcoffee,”I said.

“But…”

“After.”

I led him by the hand and took the elevator down to the underground parking.

Thomas yawned loudly. “It’s too early not to have coffee. And I’m still in my PJs. I can’t work like this.”

“Quiet. We’ll go back up in a minute. I meant to show you this last night.”

We stopped in front of the BMW I bought for him.

“It’s a BMW 3-Series in Arctic Blue.”

“Wow, this is so beautiful, East. Did you just buy it?”

“Yes, it’s yours.”

His jaw dropped to the ground, mid-yawn. “W-what? Y-you bought me a… car?” he squeaked, looking more awake now.

“Yes, of course.”

“Of course?” He snorted a laugh and rubbed his eyes with his fists.

“You have no car. Your dad sold his. I don’t like you having to take the subway or bus. It’s not safe.”

Thomas turned to face me and rested his hands on my chest. “See, that’s love. You care about my well-being.”

“Yes, for me.”

“So you can keep me. Yes. Thank you. I love the car, but…”

“Say it,” I snapped, instantly tensing. I didn’t like ‘buts.’

“The neighborhood I live in? Cars like these either get vandalized or stolen. Or my dad will find a way to sell it. I can’t keep it, Superman. You’ll just waste your money and ruin a perfectly beautiful car.”

“Then I’ll get you a new house in a new neighborhood.”

A giggle rose in his throat before it became a full-on laugh. He then rested his head on my shoulder, shaking against me from the laughter. “God, East… You’re so amazing and sweet. As much as I love you, I can’t accept a house, either. That’s too much.”

“Is it?”

“Yes.”

“Then I’ll keep the car here until we can live together.”

He held me tighter. “You’re really spoiling me, but I love you just as you are.”

“Then you can spoil me by worshiping me just as you always do.”

“I think that’s a great plan.”

Ittookoveraweek to find a time for all of us to meet, considering our busy schedules. Easton and I had been together for about a month, and now I was going to meet his fathers for the first time. My stomach was a little queasy from nerves, but Easton reassured me he would still keep me if they didn’t like me. Regardless, I wanted them to like me, and I wanted to like them.

I shifted the container holding the cake I’d made, careful not to drop it as I followed Easton along the stone path surrounded by landscaping to the large home in Vienna, Virginia. I’d never been to the quaint small town before, but I knew of it. Vienna and McLean were where all the rich people lived.

The house was made of gray stone andHardiPlank, painted white, and tucked away between tall, thick trees. It had recentlysnowed, so the expansive yard was blanketed in white, and next to the house stood a silly snowman with a carrot nose that made me smile, instantly putting me at ease.

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