Page 53 of Feels Like Falling
You have got to be fucking kidding me.
Time stops as the knocking continues, my heart racing for an entirely different reason as her hand pats my chest, her body wriggling out of my grasp so she can stand on the floor. I have to steady her, but before I can say anything else, she’s padding across the room to the front door before yanking it open.
“Dad?” Her tone is surprised and a little bit irritated, and I’m thankful for the latter. “What are you doing here?”
“Ellison, hi.” His gaze travels to me, his smile faltering. “I didn’t realize you had company.”
Dragging my hand over my face, I count to five and try not to lose my shit on Ellison’s father.I didn’t realize you had company, my ass. He parked right next to my god damn truck.
The prick.
“Evening, Montana,” he says coolly and I cross my arms over my bare chest, relishing the fact that his daughter couldn’t wait to tear my shirt off.
“Mr. Mills.”
Stepping into the house, he closes the door behind him as he stares at me, Ellison’s gaze bouncing between us before turning on her father.
“What are you doing here? It’s nine o’clock; you couldn’t wait till tomorrow?”
“I need a place to stay and hoped you’d be willing to help your father out for the night.”
“What do you mean? Your house is literally right there.” She waves her hand in a direction not close to where her childhood home is. “That makes no sense.”
Lips pressed into a thin line, I watch as he debates how much to tell her—how much he wants to tell her in front ofme.
“It’s a long story,” he says finally as my hands clench into fists, my arms flexing as I try to maintain my composure.
But it’s hard. It’s so damn hard when this man damn near destroyed me without a second glance. He’d broken my heart and my spirit without an ounce of remorse. Even now, his expression gives nothing away like he’s still looking down his nose at the same eighteen-year-old kid.
But I’m not that kid, and he’s in for the surprise of his fucking life if he thinks I’m going to let him ruin us again.
“Max?” Ellison’s voice cuts though my spiraling thoughts, bringing me back to the present—the look on her face telling me everything I need to know. Evan’s lips twitch the slightest bit as I snatch my shirt off the floor and pull it over my head.
Ignoring him and the absolute rage inside, I stalk over to Ellison and cup her face in my hands before slanting my lips over hers, swallowing the gasp and moan that follow.
It’s only seconds but it feels like a lifetime when I finally pull away, her cheeks flushed and her eyes glassy as they search mine.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” I say loud enough for her father to hear. He doesn’t say anything, but I don’t miss the way he shifts from one foot to the other either.
“I can come over later and?—”
Shaking my head, I drop a soft kiss to her mouth and another lingering one on her forehead. “Tomorrow.” She huffs and I chuckle even though there’s nothing funny about this moment. The tension is so thick you could cut it with a knife, and while I know I’ll have to come to some sort of truce with Evan for Ellison’s sake—today is not that day.
Heading for the door, I slow my steps and drop my voice so only he can hear. “I’m not going anywhere, so if you try anything—if you hurt her in any way—I will ruin you.”
His eyes widen the slightest bit, eyes that had held so much contempt the last time we spoke, while his mouth presses into a firm line.
But I won’t back down.
Not this time.
Ellison is mine and I won’t let him destroy us again.
Not again.
25
ELLISON
