Page 50 of One Touch

“I’m sorry your father was such a sucky human being.”

He nodded, and then took a breath. “My mother is an entirely different beast. My grandparents are very wealthy, and my mother grew up with large expectations on her shoulders. Marrying Frank wasn’t part of it; it was the one rebellious thing my mother did. Soon after they married, she was pregnant with me, and it gave her more incentive to stay. She finished her law degree and got her first job in County politics. From there, she kept climbing the ladder. Once she was mayor, she knew she would never advance with Frank attached to her, so she divorced him. She waited a few years to let everything settle and then publicly dated a candidate my grandparents approved of. Someone who would look good for her image and career.”

I frowned. “I feel kind of sad for your mom. It doesn’t sound like she has ever been married for love.”

Lathan snorted. “The concept of love is foreign in my family. Relationships are all transactional. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“I can’t imagine that was easy growing up with. That there was a lot of love and affection given freely.”

“I didn’t know what it felt like to be hugged until Ava,” he whispered. “My father was an asshole, but he got lucky meeting her. I don’t know how he convinced her he wasn’t a piece of shit, but I’m thankful for the time I got to know what it felt like to be loved by a parent and brother.”

Something in my heart broke at his confession. No wonder Lathan kept people at arm’s length. He didn’t know how to trust them. He’d never been shown. Ava and Lathan were the exception, not the rule.

“What’s your relationship like with your mother?”

Lathan’s brows dipped in concentration. “It often feels like I’m a prop she can use for her campaigns versus being her son.”

“That can’t be easy. Does she approve of hockey?”

“To a certain extent. In her mind, she’s giving me these years to live my life as I wish and be rebellious like she did, but I’ll be expected to fall in line somewhere down the line.”

“Which would mean?”

“Marry the right person, produce heirs, and either join the family business or her campaign.”

“What is the family business?”

“Something to do with textiles.” He shrugged. “I don’t interact with my grandparents that much. I spent all my time away playing hockey as much as possible. It wasn’t just to be away from my dad, but having to commit to their lifestyle.”

“It doesn’t seem like that’s something you want.”

“No. And I hear how entitled I sound. Growing up, I had the best schools and played on an elite hockey team. I didn’t have to worry about affording hockey equipment or going to camps. But I’m not sure the price for all that is worth the cost of my freedom. Hockey is the only thing I’ve ever loved. The only thing that’s been mine. I’m good at it, and I love to play the game. The day I don’t have hockey anymore…” He shuddered. “I don’t even want to think about it. It’s too depressing.”

“You’re allowed to feel angry that they tied strings to things you loved. You were a kid and trusted them to provide for you, not hold you liable for your future. That’s crap, Lath.” He smiled, and the sight took my breath away. “What?”

“Thank you.” He leaned closer, like he meant to kiss me, but stopped just before our lips touched. “For caring and not making me feel like an idiot.”

“Oh, of course. You don’t have to thank me for that.”

“Hmm. You also called me Lath outside of sexy times.”

“Huh. Did you like it?”

His smile widened. “I like it a lot.” He thrust his hips forward until his hard cock brushed against mine. “Do you think we have time for one more orgasm before we land?”

“Only one way to find out.” I grinned.

* * *

Our bags were barely across the threshold before I slammed Lathan into the wall and rubbed my hard cock against his backside. He whimpered, and I had to count backward to stop myself from combusting on the spot.

“Get naked,” I ordered. “I’m ready to take what’s mine.” My voice was gravelly, and I’d blush if I stopped to think about the words I was spouting. But there was no place for embarrassment when it came to claiming Lathan Silver.

“Yes,” he moaned, pressing back so he could do as I commanded. I inched back a step, not making it easy for him to slide between me and the wall. My body thrummed with need as he slid against me.

“Lath, I’m barely holding back,” I warned.

He chuckled, and I instantly loved the sound. It was light and carefree, something Lathan often wasn’t.

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