Entangled (The Accidental Billionaires #2) - J. S. Scott Page 0,1

for a couple of years,” I explained to him patiently. “Once I finish the nursing program, I’ll be able to get out on my own. It’s not a problem, Aiden. Really, it’s not.”

I’d dealt with my mother my entire life. I could handle a couple more years. I’d just have to keep thinking about the future instead of dwelling on how much I needed to get out of crazy town. I didn’t have a whole lot of choice.

Yes, I’d worked in my mother’s run-down café for years, but since I wasn’t an employee, I technically had no work experience. What I needed was an education. Even if I could land a waitressing job that paid, I couldn’t support myself on that income, or go to school to get a job that would get me out of my mother’s home for good.

As long as I was living with my mother, I’d be forced to continue being her free labor.

But it was a means to a much happier end if I could finally be free.

“Baby, if I wasn’t so goddamn poor—”

“Stop,” I interrupted him. “I’m not your responsibility, Aiden.”

God knew he had way too many of those as it was. He and his two older brothers, Noah and Seth, had held their family together and raised their three younger siblings. To me, he was a hero who’d put his own needs aside for his family for years. I didn’t want him putting himself down. Ever. Being poor wasn’t something he should be ashamed of. Keeping the Sinclair family together, in spite of the fact that they didn’t have much money, should make him proud.

Aiden and I had both grown up poor. Maybe that was why we understood each other so well.

“I want you to be my responsibility, sweetheart. I want you to be mine,” he said in a low, dangerous tone that always made me melt. “I know you’re probably too damn young for me, but I’ve given up fighting that.”

There was a six-year age gap between us, but it wasn’t something we’d ever really noticed. I was pretty sure we were both old souls and had acted like adults for as long as we could remember.

“I am yours,” I told him. “But that doesn’t mean you have to support me. My heart is yours.”

I turned and put my palm against the scruff on his jaw, trying to make him understand that I didn’t want to ever be a burden to him. He’d sacrificed so much. I just wanted to be with him.

Seeing the conflict in his gorgeous eyes made my heart ache.

“Your heart better be mine, because I’m not letting you go,” he finally grumbled as his head swooped down to capture my mouth.

The feel of his gorgeous, hot, silken lips on mine set my body on fire. As usual, it started with an electric spark between my thighs that turned into roaring flames within seconds.

I wanted to claim this man as mine right now.

I wanted to know he’d always be with me.

I wanted so much more than just an intense summer romance.

I knew I’d have to wait. Aiden’s family would come first until they were all raised and educated. I loved him for his family loyalty and drive to see all of his siblings independent. So I was more than willing to tamp down my instincts until he was free of those obligations. Aiden was worth it.

I wasn’t going anywhere.

And I still wanted so many things for my own future, too.

My hands fisted in his gloriously coarse, thick dark hair as he nibbled at my lips and then claimed my mouth all over again.

My heart was racing as he finally pulled back and grinned at me.

“Eight weeks seems like a long time right now, baby.”

God, I loved that naughty, mischievous expression on his face.

I nodded. “I’m going to miss you so much,” I said honestly.

He rested his forehead against mine. “I’ll miss you, too, sweetheart. Take care of yourself.”

He rose and pulled me to my feet. “I have to go. Think about me while I’m gone. Fuck knows I’ll be thinking about you. I want to give you something before I go.”

I looked at him with curiosity. “What? I thought you already gave me that last night,” I teased.

He shot me a warning look as he dug into the pocket of his jeans. “Don’t remind me, or you’re going to get that again, too.”

Like I’d mind if he dragged me somewhere private and we said good-bye with our bodies one