Page 24 of Claiming His Property

The last couple of days were like being doused in orgasmic lighter fluid and set on fire that turned into pure bliss. He’s the most incredible man in the world, and I have been trying to come up with some rational reason of why I have been so lucky as to have run into him, but I can’t.

Maybe it’s the universe balancing itself out for giving my mom cancer all those years ago and taking her from me. Or maybe it’s because my dad and I have been forced to live under the shadow of my terrible aunt for all these years. Or maybe it’s because I’ve had to live in the poorest part of town while watching my dad slowly kill himself working way too many hours week after week as the years go by.

I guess those would make sense if I believed in some kind of universal scales or a benevolent God looking out for me. But after all these years, I’m pretty sure my faith in those sorts of things has been sucked out of me.

All I know is that I managed to meet Cade, and it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I’m not going to bother questioning why. I’m just going to accept it and move on.

I’m not a superstitious person either, but I don’t want to spend too long wondering why and then end up having him yanked away from me just like my mom.

“So no baths for two weeks,” I hear Misty say to her client, waking me from my stupor. “Showers are fine. You know the deal.”

I stand and smile and do all the cleanup work as Misty sees her out. When she gets back to her station, I feel her poke me in the back.

“What’s up with you today?” she asks. “You seemed distracted.”

“Yeah, sorry about that–”

“Let me guess.” She fake-ponders. “You and Cade did anal for the first time.”

“What!?” I burst out laughing. “No!”

“Bad first guess,” she chuckles. “My ex always wanted to do that. What’s with guys and anal? I always used to tell him there’s a perfectly good hole right there that was designed for your dick, you know?”

Still laughing, I nod. “Totally. But no, actually Cade asked me to move in with him.”

Misty’s eyes go wide, and she sits, pulling me down in the chair beside her. She grabs a seltzer for both of us and gives me the go-ahead nod.

“Tell me everything.”

I delve right into it, from the waterfall, to the cooking dinner at his house and all the fun we had after, to the way he woke me up in the morning and the time we shared in his amazing walk-in shower. For some reason, I’m feeling a lot more comfortable sharing. Maybe that’s because I’m growing closer with Misty, or maybe it’s a result of Cade’s proposition and how it’s changed me.

“So he wants you to just come and live with him?” she asks, shocked but in a good way. “And what did you say?”

“I told him…I would.”

“Wow, girl.” Misty smiles. “You’re really falling for him, aren’t you?”

I nod, blushing. “I am.”

“Do you think you love him?”

It’s strange to hear the question asked out loud. I think I’ve been pondering it for a while now; I just haven’t really thought about it directly until this moment. But it doesn’t take me even a second to answer.

“Yes.” I nod. “I do.”

“Wow,” Misty replies, her face lit up.

“And I’m taking your advice. Screw my aunt and screw her money. She can say whatever she wants when she finds out. I don’t care. I’m going to follow my heart.”

“Good for you!” Misty says, raising her seltzer like a beer.

“Hell yeah!” I laugh, cheersing it with mine.

We both take big swigs like we’re two frat boys out at the bar.

I hear the door ding behind me and watch as Misty’s entire expression changes. She frowns and looks over at whoever just came in. Out of reflex, I can’t help but turn, and when I see who it is, my entire body goes tense, and a chill comes over me.

My Aunt Beatrice steps into the parlor, her nose in the air like the entire place stinks. I instantly turn away, doing my best to hide myself, but she spots me.

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