Page 72 of Totally Off Limits

But her mind took a dangerous path.

In those dark corners inside her head, she explored awhat if. What if she and Mickey really could work?

No.No.Absolutely not.

Still, she couldn’t help but imagine Mickey being a real father to Mia, tucking her in at night, reading her a bedtime story.

Teaching her how to play the bass in earnest.

No.

Even if they tried, he would be miserable, wouldn’t he? No way would he enjoy being under her parents’ thumbs. Even if they loved him or just tolerated him, they would make him hate every fucking moment.

At least Austin already knew what it was like to have demanding parents. After all, he was taking over his family business. And her parents already adored the hell out of him.

It didn’t matter how she tried to envision it, she and Mickey just wouldn’t work. Aside from the suicidal ending, they were much like Romeo and Juliet—fated to be apart in this world. There was no way it could ever be.

As she shifted in bed, trying to get more comfortable, Mickey whispered, “Having a hard time sleeping?”

“Yeah.”Please don’t ask why.

“Do you need me to take you to the stars again?”

With a small chuckle in spite of her inner turmoil, she said, “I don’t think I could handle another orgasm like that.”

Kissing her ear gently, he said, “After what you did to me in the shower, it was the least I could do.”

Even though he couldn’t see her face, she pursed her lips together. Why couldn’t it be this easy?

But she knew why. She was just kidding herself.

Out of nowhere, Mickey asked, “Why do you always look so sad, Sie?”

For a second, she held her breath. “What do you mean?”

“There’s a sad look in your eyes. It was there in high school, too. But I don’t get it. You’ve got a nice place, a nice car, a great job doing something I already know you’re damned good at, a beautiful healthy daughter who loves you.” Mickey stopped for a second, maybe waiting for her to say something. Finally, he asked, “Am I wrong? Do your eyes just have that look like how a dog looks sad sometimes?”

Why she decided to answer, she’d never know. “I…” Letting out a long sigh, she spoke softly, but she let it all out. “I guess I sometimes feel sorry for myself because I don’t feel free. My parents are all about how what we do reflects on the rest of the family, so everything—from my job to my car and everything in between—is scrutinized by them. And…I feel horrible even saying anything, knowing you didn’t have the best childhood. Mine was a piece of cake compared to yours.”

“Yeah…but I was built to handle it.” His arms around her, he pulled her closer into his body, and his warmth in the air-conditioned hotel room was finally starting to make her feel sleepy.

His words, however, kept her riveted.

“You’re a strong woman, Sierra.”

“I don’t think so.”

“Oh, hell, yes, you are. You never went with the crowd, even when it hurt your social standing in school. You were never afraid to be seen around me. Not once.”

“But it wasn’t like we really hung out with each other.”

“That doesn’t matter. Until high school, you were the only girl who didn’t avoid me like I was a leper.”

“I still don’t—”

“You were willing to give up shallow friendships with lots of kids to even talk to me. Being willing to go against the crowd shows strength.”

“If I were so fucking strong, I’d stand up to my parents.”

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