Page 64 of Dare You to Run
We ate an amazing meal prepared by Camille where we had the chance to talk. Vaughan asked me about cars and bikes and the businesses I own –someone did their homework, or rather background check– and Dagen spoke more about their ranch. After dinner, Vaughan let me take a look at his Camaro and I just about begged him to let me buy it. It was absolutely pristine and gorgeous. I showed him a photo of my Dodge and he drooled equally over my green girl.
After all of that, I informed them I would be getting an Uber to a hotel in order to catch a flight out in the morning. Dagen’s face fell and I could hear her heart breaking. To be honest, I felt an ache in mine too. Camille wasn’t having any of it and insisted I stay the night at their home and someone would take me to the airport tomorrow.
We went back and forth for a few minutes, but Vaughan insisted and said he wouldn’t open the gates to let anyone in or out if I decided to leave. I felt like I couldn’t say no after that, so here we are, Vaughan showing me to the guest room for the night.
“Well my daughter intruded on your life for nine days so one night is the least we can do.” He pushes open the door to reveal a very ranch-like room.
A wood four-poster bed is the centerpiece with coordinating accents including leather and iron. I look around for a deer head but that seems to be the only thing it lacks.
“You know where the kitchen is so feel free to help yourself if you need anything. The bathroom is right there,” he says, pointing to a door on the far wall. “And breakfast will be on the table by seven. Cami has a very strict schedule when it comes to the little ones. There’s never a sleep-in day at the McCallan house. Lord, I hope that changes one day.”
I laugh a little and hold out my hand to shake his again. “Thank you, again. I really appreciate your hospitality, Vaughan.”
“No. Thank you. Truly. Knowing there was a decent man looking out for my little girl put me at ease. She could have run into some slimeball and who knows what they would’ve done.”
I keep a tight smile on my face, but gulp down a ball ofI’m such an asshole.
He pats my arm with a nod then leaves me to sit in my tub of guilt over how I violated his daughter. He’d be even more pissed to know she liked it.
I walk into the bathroom and flatten my palms to the brown marble countertop, hanging my head between my sagging shoulders.How am I going to do this?Leave here and act like that girl didn’t completely decimate my life as I’ve known it.
A faint knock sounds at my door and I scrunch my brow, wondering if he forgot something. I pad over to the door and open it to find Dagen in a small nightgown standing there with wide eyes and a plump lip caught between her teeth.
“What are you doing here?” I shout at a whisper volume.
She pushes on my chest, causing me to stumble backwards, and closes the door behind her.
“I needed to be with you. One last time before you leave and…and I never see you again.”
“Little mouse, we are not doing that with your parents just downstairs and your siblings feet away.” I grab a hold of her wrists and stop her from advancing.
“My Dad sleeps like the dead, and Mom knows. Well, she suspects.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I feel a roil in my stomach, and I watch the door to see if Camille is going to burst in with a shotgun.
“I didn’t tell her, of course. She saw you that one day I was on FaceTime and you walked in and she pretty much knew. I didn’t say a word.”
“Fuck my life.” I drop her wrists and drop down on the bed.
“Don’t worry. She won’t say anything to my Dad. It’s over after tonight anyway, right?” Her chest rises and falls with a deep breath and her eyes glisten.
I reach out and pull her to me and her hands fall on my shoulders. “I guess. You’re seven hours away so it’s not like I can pop in and see you whenever I want.”
“Ten,” she replies.
“Ten, what?”
“Ten hours. School is about three hours from here, so it’d be ten from you.” She looks sad and defeated like she’s realizing there isn’t a way to make this work. “I don’t want to let you go.”
My hands roam up and down her back and I watch as a single tear trails down her face.
“I don’t want to let you go either, little mouse.” I place my hand on the back of her head and draw her in.
I kiss her lips, tasting the salt of her tear that has landed there, and my inner demon takes over, overriding my good sense to end this here.
I lay back on the bed and pull her with me. She crawls on top of me and straddles my lap. Sitting tall, she pulls the thin nightgown up, revealing her gorgeous body. Her breasts fall heavy and her nipples harden with desire.
I glide my hands up her stomach to her breasts that I cup, rolling my finger over the peaked points. She responds with a breathy moan, a sound that will live in my brain forever. I own her moans and if I can help it, no other man will take pleasure in hearing them.
