Sweet Little Lies (Dirty Little Lies Duet #2) - J.D. Hollyfield Page 0,69

and sincere. “I got down on my knees and bowed down to a man and begged to have his daughter. I told him I was in love with her and would spend every second of my life, making sure she felt that love and security. I told him I would probably never let her out of my sight, and she would most likely feel smothered and leave me in the end anyway, but until that day came, I’d cherish every single second of her.”

My tears are wild, falling in waves. “And what did my dad say?”

“He threatened my life in the most creative ways, then he called me an asshole and gave me his blessing…in not so many words.”

Hope blooms inside my chest. Is this real? I can’t keep up with the tears. Gabriel lifts his hand to wipe at my cheek. “And who is the second person you submitted to?” I ask.

He leans forward gently and softly kisses my lips. “This little blunt spitfire of a woman. I plan on clipping her wings so she can never fly away from me. Then I’m going to get down on my knees and let her know just how much I’m in love with her. If she still loves me and still wants me, she has me. If it takes giving up control just to have her, I’ll tell her it’s already hers. I’d kneel for a lifetime just to have her.”

“Oh, Gabriel.” I wrap my arms around his neck, probably choking him. “I do. I always will.” He finds my eager mouth and grants me his lips. It feels like it’s been a lifetime since I’ve felt him against me. “So, what happens now?” I ask. I must be a glutton for punishment. Any time I’ve asked this question, it’s brought me nothing but pain.

“Right now, I take you home and devour every inch of you until you remember who you belong to—who owns you, who you own. As for the not-so-immediate future, that’s for us to decide together.”

I can’t kiss him fast enough. Hard enough. Passionately enough. There’s no possible way to show him just how much he owns me. And knowing this is real, when we get home, I’ll show him even villains get their happily ever afters.

My lips spread into a mischievous smile against his. “Well, let’s get to it. Time’s a tickin’, and I don’t take kindly to tardiness.”

Hazel

Standing in our dorm doorway one last time, I stare at the empty room before I grab the final box and head out. It’s bittersweet in a way to say goodbye, but I’m ready for the new chapter.

Dad comes up behind me, grabbing the box, and kisses me on the cheek. “This the last one? Good. Let’s get the fuck out of here.”

I take another moment to memorize the room Violet and I shared. I think about all the good memories we had here. And about the new memories we’ll make next semester. They just won’t be here.

If there was one thing Dad was certain about, aside from Gabriel being an asshole, it was that neither of us was coming back to this school. He blames himself, stating that after what happened with Violet, he should’ve pulled us both then.

“Are you ready, little bird?” Gabriel comes up behind me and pulls my back into his chest.

“Yeah, I’m ready.” I turn in his arms, having to crane my neck for the most perfect view. “The question is, are you ready?” Once we leave this place, things change. My home will now be at Gabriel’s. The simple thought has my heart racing with excitement. It’s unreal to even imagine how we got here, but it didn’t come without a fight.

“Fuck no.”

“Dad, why? Violet lives here with you. What would be the difference if I moved in with Gabriel?”

“Fuck no.”

“Dad! I’m being serious. You can’t keep me locked up here forever. I’ll always be your baby girl, but you don’t need me anymore. You have Violet. Do you really want me to be miserable and resent you for the decisions you’re forcing on me? What happens if I get so depressed, I decide to stop eating or do something crazy like start hating pizza?”

“You’ll never hate pizza. You love Savino’s. It’s our special place. It will always be our thing.”

“Yeah, Daddy, and it’ll always be our thing whether I live here or not.”

“Fuck no.”

“Dad!”

“You come home for dinner four times a week. You leave that asshole at home for two of those