Corruption - Leigh Lennon Page 0,37
full domain of your life. Me pushing you in ways you can’t imagine.” She grows quiet, her emerald greens looking straight to my soul. “I’ll push you to be the best version of yourself, all while you become what I need you to be. It’s a fine balance. I’m not here to change you, but if you think I can be an asshole, you haven’t seen anything yet.”
This makes the smile on her face even bigger. “I want your brooding, commanding, jerk-like self. All I’ve ever wanted is you, Maddox. Don’t you get this by now?”
My forehead lightly taps hers as we’re lost in each other’s eyes. “I’m getting it now, gem. I understand, and I won’t ever let you go.”
We stay like this for a couple of minutes. When my hand reaches for hers, I lace my fingers into her fingers. I pull away, and the majestic features of her face can’t be denied. She’s beautiful, and I noticed this the first night we were together. However, I can’t put into words the peace on her face that transforms her beauty. I’ve never seen her like this. And it’s me who does this to her. I’ve never felt worthy, and now in a matter of seconds, she has given me a gift she has no idea of—everything that is Jewel Atkins.
“This part will sound a little robotic, precious, but we need to talk about it.”
Her peaceful demeanor fades from her face. “Oh, sweetheart, I’m not leaving you. Fuck, I’m not letting you go, so please don’t worry when I have to have a serious conversation with you.”
“Okay.” She’s quiet. “I’ll try.”
After denying us for so long, I can’t blame her. “No, this is logistics. And because you aren’t officially my sub, I want your opinion of how to move forward.”
“Okay,” she says again.
“I want you from under the thumb of your father. How hard will it be to leave your house, as early as today?”
She dips her head, moving her gaze to the door, and peers out of the window. “Words, precious, I need words.”
She begins to speak, but doesn’t fix her attention back on me. I don’t demand this because as much of an ass as her father is, I can’t imagine this will be easy.
“I’m not prepared financially, at all, but in a couple of months—”
I cut her off. “If you are mine, I take care of mine, so money is the least of your concerns.” She nods at my words, and I imagine that dickhead Danner said the same thing. “I’m asking you, emotionally, what are we looking at?”
She takes in a deep breath, only exhaling as she begins to answer me. “Leaving my mom will be hard regardless if I leave tomorrow or in a month. So, I’d say the sooner the better.”
“Today?” I’m almost giddy of the idea of claiming Jewel as mine as early as tonight.
“If it pleases you, could I have one more day at home with my mom? I mean, I really don’t want to just leave her without one more night with her. This will absolutely gut her.”
“I’d like you to pack the essentials, the things you need that are irreplaceable. Pictures, jewelry, things like that. Everything else can be replaced. I want you to make one last trip from your room. That’s when you tell your parents, and I will be waiting outside for you. Can you do this?”
She rotates her attention back to me. “Yes, Sir, I can do this.” I catch a couple of tears spilling from her emerald green eyes.
“And we’ll go register you for classes at the community college, too, if this is still what you want?” I explain.
Her eyes sparkle at this idea, though she looks away. “Yes, Sir, I very much want this, but at the same time, I feel bad that you…”
“I have money. I’m frugal, but I also enjoy blessing those that are important in my life. You are important. So we’ll not chat about money anymore. Do you understand me, precious?”
“Yes, Sir.” Her answer is sincere, and it causes me to brim with pride in this sweet girl who wants me.
“As far as living arrangements. I have an apartment for you, to give you space while we get to know one another. I want you with me, I really do, but we have so much to learn. I think you need your own space. Are you okay with this?”
“Yes, Sir.” She doesn’t flinch or reply in a worried tone, but