Page 32 of Yours To Keep
“Well, get up, get Magnolia, and get to my house. We’re locking this shit down now,” he barks, his tone always commanding.
“Ok, daddy. I love it when you tell me what to do. We’ll be there soon,” I say, and he grumbles through the line before hanging up.
I groan, using my free hand to support myself and stand. I don’t want to feel so fucking defeated, but damn, I do. Making my way back to Magnolia’s apartment in half the time, I open the front door and find her standing in the kitchen, her green hoodie barely covering the thick globes of her ass and the tiny scraps of lace covering it. Damn, she is so beautiful.
“Oh, my god! Dalton, you’re soaked!” She says, rushing to my side.
“Pack a bag, angel. We need to go.”
fifteen
Before I can evenprocess everything Dalton is telling me, we’re already packed into my car and on the way to Breaker and Rory’s house. I swear my heart stopped when he explained to me he was almost run down just trying to grab us lunch.
“I don’t understand,” is all I can mange. I know I’ve said it at least ten times in the past half hour, but it’s just not sinking in for me. Why is this happening?
“We’re gonna get it figured out, angel. I promise you, I will keep you safe.” Dalton grips the steering wheel of my car tightly with his left hand as his right rests on my knee. I’ve grown to appreciate the way he wants to touch me constantly, like he’s reassuring me and maybe himself that I’m still here with him.
“I know. I just don’t-” I cut myself off, not wanting to repeat the same words again.
The rest of the drive is silent, both of us lost in our own thoughts until we reach the gate surrounding Breaker’s house. Before today, I’ve only seen Rory at Ember’s house or somewhere else in town. This place is massive, almost overwhelmingly so, but still feels oddly welcoming. It’s nothinglike the feeling I get when I pull into the gates surrounding my parent’s house. I know the only thing that waits for us in this house is love and protection, the reassurance that comes with great friends. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever had before, and to be honest, I’m still getting used to that feeling.
Dalton pulls through the gate and parks my car beside Rory’s Bronco. We both stare out the front windshield, neither of us saying a word. He hasn’t stopped touching me in some fashion since we left my apartment, but I’m not complaining. I need to cling to him just as desperately as he needs me. We sit, suspended in time, for what feels like forever, before he breaks the silence.
“It was Aaron. I didn’t see him, but who do you know in Grovewood that drives a black Mercedes GT? I fucking know it was him, and when I get my hands on that asshole, he’s gonna wish he had killed me back there.” His tone is vicious and I whimper involuntarily.
The idea of living in a world without Dalton is something I don’t even want to think about. For once in my life, I feel like I’ve finally found someone who understands me, even when I don’t speak. I never feel judged or inadequate around him. The thought of losing that so soon after I’ve found it is a loss I can’t bear. His gaze snaps to mine, softening instantly when he sees the tears welling up in my eyes.
“Magnolia,” he breathes, and I break, climbing over the center console and straddling his lap. He slides the seat back as I bury my face in his neck, letting my tears fall freely while he holds me. His right hand strokes up and down my spine, and I don’t think I’ve ever felt any closer to him than I do right now.
“This is my fault,” I say, and I feel his hands tense against my back. He’s gonna argue, I already know. “If I hadn’t brought you into this mess, you wouldn’t be in this position right now. If Ihad just gone along with what my mother wanted, you would be safe.”
“And you would have lived a miserable life, totally devoid of all the color you bring into this world, Magnolia. Absolutely not. I would never let that happen. I would rather spend the rest of our lives fighting for what we both deserve than bow down to your fucking mother,” he replies, and I hold him tighter.
“You deserve better, Dalton. Better than I’ll ever be able to give you.” My insecurities get the best of me and I wonder why he would put up with so much unnecessary bullshit when he could live an easy, stress-free life without me.
“You just don’t get it, do you?” He says, pulling back and taking my face in both of his rough hands. “There is no one better than you, Magnolia Monroe. You are worth more than any chaos we will ever face in this life.”
“I am?” I ask, my voice cracking.
“Yes, angel. You are.” He is resolute, so completely confident in his words. I can’t help but believe him and fall just a little deeper into this man who was never supposed to be something real.
“Thank you for not giving up. I know that would be the easier route to take, but you have no idea how much it means to me that you haven’t,” I say, tears slipping down my cheeks. He wipes them away with his thumbs and brings his lips to mine in the gentlest kiss.
“It takes a lot for me to actually give up on anything. I fight for what I want. I’m not gonna quit just because this is hard, especially not on someone who means so much to me. We will keep fighting for what we want until we can't fight anymore, because you are so much more than worth it.” He always has a way of making me feel like something precious, something to be treasured and adored. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever felt before and I have to constantly ask myself if this is real.
“We should probably go inside before they wonder what we’re doing out here,” I say, looking over my shoulder at the front door. The house is quiet, but I’m sure somebody already knows we’re here.
“Or, better idea. We give them something to really wonder about when you’re screaming my name.” That sexy smirk of his spreads across his lips as he slips one hand up the back of my neck and pulls me to him, my lips brushing his softly.
He kisses me rough and unrestrained, like I’m not the fragile little girl everyone else believes me to be. With Dalton, I feel like the woman I truly am. He makes me feel desirable and powerful in a way I’ve never experienced in my entire life. He groans a sexy, deep groan once our lips finally break apart, and I wish his kisses would never end.
“Fine. Inside, before I end up inside you.” He squeezes my ass playfully and I laugh, climbing off his lap and back into my seat. We take a collective deep breath, both of us bracing for the reality of the world outside this car. “Let’s go, angel.”
As soon as I close the front door, Kelsea's voice fills the room and a tortilla flies across the bar, hitting Everett in the head. He doubles over with laughter, gripping the counter just to stay upright.
“Everett fucking Wayne! Do not announce things about my vagina to all our friends!” Kelsea screeches, and Everett’s laughter echos through the living room.
“Uh oh,” I say, knowing exactly what he told everyone. Dalton shoots me a confused look and I stifle a laugh.
