Page 33 of Light It Up Red
“But to live together? That’s a big call,” Lili says.
“Let’s give it a trial run then. Move in with me here. See if you like it.” I grin, and she laughs.
“You really do have a death wish.”
“I have a being with you wish, babe.”
“Mmm, how about we start with baby steps? I’ll leave a toothbrush at your place.”
“I’ll take it. But the offer still stands. If I’m home, I want you there with me, Lili. Scratch that. I want you there even when I’m not. I like knowing you’re at my place. In my bed.”
“I was thinking of getting my own apartment,” she says, instead of answering me.
“Why? Mine’s big enough for both of us.”
“Because, one, I want to keep you in one piece. And, two, I’ve never lived on my own, and I want to know what that feels like before moving in with someone else.”
“Okay. Well, there are plenty of available units in my building, and I’ve heard you have connections with the owners, so maybe you should look there first,” I suggest.
“You’re not used to not getting your way, are you?”
“No. I’m an only child, remember?”
“Well, now’s a good time to start.” Lili laughs, and as much as I hate that she’s turning down my offer, I also admire her independence.
Chapter Fifteen
Two months. I’ve been dating Travis for two months. It’s been intense. The feelings I have for him grow deeper and deeper every day. I miss him so much when he’s away. I’ve been flying in to as many games as I can. I’m now a regular at the home games. Along with my brotherand cousins. I refuse to sit in the box with them, though. Instead, I stay right near the bench. Where I can see Travis close up.
There’s something insanely hot about watching him play hockey. He has a passion for the game like nothing I’ve ever seen before. Well, that’s a lie. He’s really passionate about my body too, and bringing it all kinds of pleasure.
“You okay?” Travis’s hand reaches over and wraps around mine, pulling me out of my thoughts.
“Uh-huh, just nervous. What if they don’t like me?” I ask him.
“They’re going to love you. I mean, really, what’s not to love?” He grins down at me.
Love. We haven’t uttered those words to each other yet. Am I in love with Travis? Yes, I am, but I’m not a crazy person, and I’m not about to tell him that. Not until he tells me first at least.
“I just… I don’t want to embarrass you or anything.”
“You could never embarrass me, babe. You are perfection and anyone who doesn’t think that can go and fuck right off,” he says.
I smile. “Thank you.”
Travis uses his free hand to push inside the house. His parents’ house. It’s a nice home. Two stories, white siding with blue shutters. And the complete opposite of how I grew up. There are no armed guards, no cameras following our movements, no one scrutinizing what we’re doing at every turn.
“You’ve met my mother. And trust me, babe, she already loves you.”
“I met her once. The morning after we fucked, not the best first impression,” I hiss under my breath.
“Ma, Dad, you here?” Travis ignores my comments as he yells out through the house.
“In here,” a female voice calls back.
Travis leads me into the kitchen and throws out an arm towards his mother. “Ma, this is Liliana. Lili, my mom, Frances.”
Mrs. O’Neil wipes her hands on a tea towel before stepping up to us. “I know who she is, Travis. We’ve met.” She glares at her son before turning to me. “How are you, sweetheart? It’s so good to see you again. I’ve been bugging Travis to bring you around.”
