Forbidden With Me - Leigh Lennon Page 0,15
married?” She’s direct. I like it. I have no thoughts of grandeur that anything can come of us just because my cock recognizes a beautiful young woman. In her little question and what I have learned from the dream confession, I sense a bit of jealousy. I confirm this when I pass under a street lamp and gaze upon her clenching teeth and an adorable sneer.
“No, I’d been engaged, but she turned out to be the most controlling, self-centered, and narcissistic bitch ever placed on this planet.”
She doesn’t hide her laughter, and it fills the entire car. “Ah, so tell me how you really feel. Well, at least you don’t have to see her every day. There’s a silver lining.”
I return my own chuckle. “No silver lining, sweetheart. I see her every day.”
“Oh.” Her voice cracks, and I don’t have to know this woman to recognize a disappointed tone. “You all share a child together?” I want children. Fuck, I’m around enough of the Montgomery babies to know a longing in my heart for my soul mate and a baby to boot.
“Oh, lord, no. I thought working with her every day had to be bad enough. If I procreated with the devil herself, I’m not sure what I’d do, pray to the God above that my baby got all my DNA!”
This has her chuckling. “Is she your partner then?”
“Nope, just my boss,” I supply. As we pass under another street lamp, a large smile emerges on her delicate face, and I know she’s pleased with my answer.
I begin, “Now, that you’re all up to speed on me—”
She interrupts, “I would say me getting the goods on your boss and ex-fiancée isn’t the full low down.”
She’s a brazen one, this woman next to me. “Well, you currently know more about me than I know about you, so you’re caught up as much as you will be for now,” I quip. In this easy banter, I’m thankful we’ve moved past the hurt. Not to be misunderstood, she’s not past the pain. I don’t know if she ever can be, but for now, we are living in the here and now, and not in the past that could have made her never want to leave her home in Oregon.
“Okay, so what do you want to know?” Her bold demeanor is evident, and I just know she’s going to be trouble.
“Let’s start with your major. What are you going to study?”
“Design but I haven’t picked what field. I’m undecided but have been accepted into the program with the understanding I’ll pick a concentration next year.”
“That’s right; you’re a talented artist.” I intend to prolong this conversation; not wanting it to end. “So does this encompass everything from interior design to architecture?”
“Yes, but I’m leaning toward industrial design. There’s a demand, and I want to be able to live the life my family wasn’t able to.” She says it with so much ease as if it’s the norm in life, yet it’s the norm in her life.
“But I want a year to be able to decide what I’d like to do. Seattle’s always been my home, even if I grew up in Eugene. Aunt Mally never wanted me to come back here. She would have protected me my whole life if given the chance.” From the headlights of the passing cars, I see a little tear fall down her cheek.
“I’m very sorry to hear about your aunt,” I return, and her eyes whip around to me. “How did you know?”
I attempt to explain it very casually as if I haven’t been stalking her. “Jules kept me up to speed with you throughout the years.” She bobs her raven-colored head of hair as an acknowledgment she’s heard me. “You know, they missed you, Jules and Gail. They cried for months, wanting to see you.” She stills at my words as though they suffered to the extent she has. “Fuck, that came out the wrong way. All I meant is that with them, you’ll forever have a family.”
“I know what you meant. And I missed them, too. It’s just, I can’t do large crowds right now. It’ll be hard enough to live in a dorm and never escape people, but a part of coming here is facing the fears from my past that immobilize me. And it sounds all easy, like ice cream sundaes with cherries on top, but it’s one step at a time for me, a choice every day.”
“Not many people in your situation can