Page 59 of Exposed

“Why are you sorry? You’re a strong, smart woman who has done the majority of her life on her own.” I restmy hand on her hip, and she doesn’t push me away this time.

“You’re right, I am strong and smart. I worked my ass off to get a full-ride scholarship to college. That’s how I got my degree and the internship with Titan Securities.” She’s crying, but not hysterical.

“Have you ever told anyone about your childhood?” I ask.

“No. Why would I? I can’t believe I told you. I don’t want people to feel sorry for me.” She jumps out of bed and starts pacing.

“What are you doing?” I ask.

“Having a meltdown, obviously,” she shrieks, throwing her hands out to her sides. “You’re a guy I actually care about. I care what you think, and I shared too much. Can you forget I told you?”

Not a chance.

“No. It doesn’t change what I think about you. It reaffirms that you’re a phenomenal woman. I’ve gotta say, I like that you care about me,” I grin.

“You’re my roommate, so I care about you,” she dismisses. “Was there truth serum in that water you brought me?”

She’s downplaying our roommate arrangement. She feels more than that for me. At least, I hope she does.

“You didn’t drink any of that water yet,” I point out. “Which, by the way, you need to.” I point to the untouched glass of water I brought for her.

“Don’t get technical with me,” she points a finger at me, and I fight a smile. “How did I share all of that with you while crying and somehow, you’ve got me wanting tosmile? Why do I feel lighter?” She picks up the glass and takes a drink.

“Good girl. Getting shit off your chest makes you feel lighter. Maybe you feel comfortable with me,” I venture.

“No, that can’t be it,” she quips.

“Of course, not,” I chuckle.

“It isn’t,” she insists.

“It’s probably a mix of your hormones from your period, the orgasms you just had and how you were adventurous in bed with me. You’re coming down from the high. It’s called a ‘drop.’”

“Let’s go with that. This won’t happen again. I promise.”

“It may happen again, and that’s okay. I’ll be here for you when it does. I’d like for you to be open with me again. I feel like we had a breakthrough tonight, Pep. Maybe sex is like counseling for you, and I’m happy to counsel you whenever you need it,” I waggle my eyebrows and she gives me a small smile. “Honestly, I like getting to know you. Thanks for telling me about your childhood. Helps me understand why you felt weird about my parents.”

“Yeah. I’m not the only kid who had a shitty home life growing up. You do what you have to do, and you get out, you know? There was a girl in my class for a little while who was a foster kid. She had it worse than me. I was glad CPS never took me away. The devil you know is better than the devil you don’t, I guess. I was scared that whoever I’d end up with would be worse.”

“That makes sense. Get in bed, Pepper. Let me hold you before Simon wakes up.” I pat the bed beside me.

She climbs under the covers and lays on her back, and Iput my arm over her waist. I take a deep breath, then speak. “Lots of kids struggle growing up. I’m lucky to have great parents, but no kid should hear the things your family told you. Everything they told you is bullshit. You know that, right?”

“Yeah, but it’s hard when you hear it for years,” she murmurs and kisses me on my stubbled cheek. “Thank you, Matt, for being a good dad to Simon. He’ll always be safe with you.”

“Thank you, Pepper,” I whisper and kiss her forehead. “And I love that you’re a dreamer. The world belongs to dreamers.”

“You think so?” She asks.

“Absolutely. How else would we have electricity, airplanes, cars or Disney World?”

“Hmm, I never thought of it that way,” she grins.

“The world belongs to people who have the courage to dream up things that don’t yet exist. Dreamers think outside the box so our world can evolve and become a better place,” I say.

“Yeah. I like that.”

What this girl has been through is more than anyone should have to endure, and I vow to be the one to show her how infinite her worth is.

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