Page 50 of Lorcan's Obsession

"I hope not. And since when did I become your girlfriend? Don't I at least deserve some dick before getting the moniker?"

"Are you saying once I fulfill all your sexual desires, you will become my girlfriend?"

"No, I said no such thing. I don't do dating, remember?"

"You'll change your mind after taking my co—"

"Here are your drinks," the leggy blonde interrupted again, bending low while placing the drinks on the table so her tits were literally dangling in front of Lorcan’s face. She was trying again. Seriously? This time I groaned my annoyance loud enough for all three of us to hear.

Lorcan raised his glass, grinning. "To my future girlfriend, who’s jealous as fuck."

"Lorcan, I'm not—"

"Indulge me, even if it’s just for a minute. In a world of make-believe, it all starts with a dream."

"I’m not jealous. She’s annoying,” I drawled.

“Fine. Fuck her out of the picture. It’s just you and me.” He reached from across the table and interlocked our fingers. Looking deep into my eyes, he said, “You are the most interesting person I’ve ever met, and I know this will make me sound pathetic, but uhm…knowing you is the highlight of my life.”

Fuck. That was deep. And his eyes broadcasted the truth. I thought about following the same honest path. I wished I could tell him how interesting he was, how no other man held my attention like he did, and how he made me regret that I’d cut myself off for so long. But that would open a casket full of snakes, and who knew what would bite?

Still, I couldn’t leave him hanging after opening up to me. “Meeting you has also been—”

His phone vibrated on the table, and his brows pinched when he looked at the name flashing on the screen.

“Sorry to interrupt you, baby. It's my dad. About work. I’ll be back in a few minutes,” he announced, standing to kiss my hair before heading out to the terrace.

My eyes roamed from the crystal chandeliers to the expensive art on the wall before glancing at the pedestrians strolling on the pavement minding their own business. Something caught my eye, a dark-skinned young girl crossing the road with one hand holding her dad’s, the other holding a half-eaten corn on the cob. There had been a hotdog stand opposite our house that sold the best buttered corn. It was probably where they bought it if it was still there. I choked back a sob. Had nothing changed since we left all those years ago?

After the accident, my mom moved us to Italy, her native country. What would she say if she knew I'd finally returned? She lived comfortably in a small town in Sicilia and never once spoke about our home after Daddy died. To each their own demon, I guess. But I’d been on my own for years now. Why hadn’t I ever come back here?

"Hey, you ok?" Lorcan's thumb caressed my cheek as he stared from across the table.

"S-sorry, I didn't see you come back." My eyes fluttered timidly, avoiding eye contact with him.

"It's okay. Did something happen? You seemed deeply lost in thought." He moved his seat closer to mine and put his arm around my shoulders, pulling me closer to him in a soothing gesture.

"The last time I was here, I was fourteen."

Lorcan’s jaw tightened, and his face paled.

"Shit. Baby, I'm sorry. I-I didn't know you hadn't come back since then.” Regret laced his words.

"It’s okay. You couldn’t have. But there’s something I’d like to show you. Can we leave?"

“Yeah. Yeah, we can leave right away."

"I want to show you my childhood home. It’s not far away, but it’s—it’s also where my father died. That's why I drifted off, back at the restaurant and in the car."

Lorcan stopped abruptly, gripping my arm tenderly. "Baby, are you certain about this? I can have the jet here in an hour—"

"I'm glad we are here." I interrupted his guilt-woven tirade.

"You are?" he asked, trying to study my face.

"I am. I never thought I'd do this. Come here to say goodbye..or say hello. But now, I want to. If you'll do it with me."

"Of course. Anything you need," Lorcan murmured, resting his forehead against mine. I kissed his lips gently and mouthed "Thank you."

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