Page 24 of Dreams on the Ice

I know that every man in my family since the early nineteen hundreds has received an allowance, inheritance, or trust fund stipend of some kind, monthly, from their twenty-fifth birthday until the day they die. I also know that the principal can never be touched.

He snorts but obviously doesn’t take me seriously. Instead, he takes a step backward and leans his back against the bookshelves behind him, then crosses his arms over his chest, matching my stance.

“Because those are my terms, and birthday or not, I’m the one who signs off on the money. So you get nothing unless I approve.”

Asshole.

“Also, I find it funny that you would bring this woman with you in an attempt to get your inheritance. She’s obviously not of our ilk or status. So I’m unsure of what you thought you would achieve by presenting her here, but if it’s my or your mother’s approval, you are sadly mistaken.”

Hateis a strong word. And I’m not one to use it often, but right now, I hate my father. Not because of money, but becausehe’s a judgmental asshole. For whatever reason, he’s decided that he can choose my career and my woman.

They are not for him to choose.

“Brooklynn comes from money, just not old money. Not thatthatshit matters, because it doesn’t. And I’m done asking for what’s rightfully mine. I leave tomorrow, and don’t expect to see me again because I am done.”

Turning on my heels, I walk away from my father, not caring what the fuck he thinks or says. But he doesn’t let me off that easily. When he calls out my name, I turn my head to look over my shoulder and meet his glare.

It’s directed right at me, though I know he’s not angry with me as a person. No. He’s pissed off because he can’t control me. And I won’t let him. Because fuck him. Fuck all of this. This drama isn’t worth it. I’ll just go to an attorney. I’m done trying to play their game, any game.

“You walk away from me, and we’re done here,” he snaps.

Shaking my head once, I let out a snort. “We were done here a long-ass time ago.”

And with that, I walk out of his office and back to the party. I know that my move, my ignoring him, my perceived disrespect, is eating at him, but I don’t care. The scene at the party is much what I expected.

Kiki and her mother are staring at Brooklynn, their glares fully focused on her and unbreaking. I shift my attention from them, knowing that I’ll never see them again, so I couldn’t give a fuck less about their nasty glares.

As I move toward Brooklynn, I decide to gather her up and take her back to the guesthouse and fuck her again. Once this morning wasn’t enough. I need more. So much more. I need to explore every square inch of her body with my tongue. I want to taste all of her.

My mother stands beside Brooklynn, their arms hooked, but I know that’s my mother’s way of controlling the conversation and Brooklynn at the same time. No more of this pompous, manipulative bullshit. I am fucking over it.

“Ladies,” I say as I approach.

I don’t even notice who they’re talking to. I don’t care. It doesn’t fucking matter. I am not just done, I am beyond fucking done right now, and I need out of here, but I would never leave Brooklynn alone in this den of wolves.

Ignoring my mother, I focus on Brooklynn. She tilts her head back, her eyes find mine, and she searches my gaze. Then, as if she can sense my mood, she frowns.

She opens her mouth, and I have no doubt she’s going to ask me if I’m okay. Clearly, I’m not, but that doesn’t mean I need to announce it right now. “I think it’s time to go ahead and head out, Brook.”

Her lips snap closed, and she stares at me for a long moment. Then she smiles. It’s soft and sweet. I’m unable to stay away from her, unable to keep my hands and mouth off her. Those plump pink lips beg for me to taste them.

I gently pinch her chin with my thumb and index finger before I lower my head and touch my lips to hers. “Let’s go home, honey,” I rasp against her mouth. “I’m done here.”

She doesn’t question me, though that’s likely because she’s playing the part of my girlfriend, but also because she’s probably ready to fucking leave as well. I wouldn’t blame her. This whole thing was not only stupid but a gigantic waste of time.

Without another word, ignoring my mother completely, I take Brooklynn’s free hand and guide her away from the party, the people, and the house. Brooklynn doesn’t say anything until we’re inside the guesthouse.

The last thing I want to do right now is talk, but I’ll give it to her because, unlike my parents, I respect Brooklynn. She opensher mouth to speak, likely to ask me what the actual fuck is going on, but I beat her to it.

“This was partially a dumb idea, but only because of the money thing. My father isn’t going to budge, and he wants what he wants the way he wants it. I’m not willing to give that to him, so lawyering up is going to be the only way to go. This wasn’t a dumb idea in the sense that we hooked up. I’d like to continue hooking up from here until the end of time. So that’s the only good thing that came out of this trip. Oh, and closure.”

“Closure?” she asks, ignoring the rest of my small speech.

“Closure,” I confirm with a single nod. “My relationship with my parents was nonexistent before this. It’s even more so now, and I’m good with that. I’m at peace with that, and I’m ready to get my shit together. I’m twenty-four, so I have time to save money.”

Brooklynn’s lips curve up into a smile. “I’m sad about your family. But the rest of it, I’m also good with, especially the hooking up part…repeatedly.”

“Fuck yes,” I hiss. “Repeatedly, starting now.”

---