Page 47 of Set me Free

Sienna’s lips pressed into a thin line, like she was trying to find a crack in his armor.

"So, you’re saying if my daughter is with you, she’ll be secure?"

"I’m saying," Creed said smoothly, meeting her gaze head-on, "that I wouldn’t be here wasting my time if I wasn’t serious about her. But let’s be honest, Serenity doesn’t need me to be secure she has her own talent, her own dreams that I’m sure will make her successful."

The tension stretched between them, heavy, thick, but Creed didn’t fold. I bit the inside of my cheek, waiting for my mother’s response. She took another slow sip of her drink, then finally turned to me.

"You always did have a thing for athletes," she murmured. "Let’s just hope this one doesn’t disappoint you like the last."

I stiffened, a venom laced comeback on the tip of my tongue before my dad cut in.

"Sienna." My father’s tone was a quiet warning, but she just smiled, like she hadn’t just taken a jab at my past relationship.

Creed glanced at me, and for the first time, his jaw tightened slightly. But he still didn’t respond. Because he knew… he knew Sienna and I’s history. He knew that no matter what I did, she’d always find something wrong with it.

"I think I’ll get some air, enjoy the rest of your night" she announced, finishing her drink before stepping away.

I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. Creed turned to me, and placed my face between his hands, his eyes searching mine.

"You good?" he asked quietly.

I swallowed, nodding. "Yeah. She just…" I trailed off, shaking my head. "She’s so damn infuriating."

He studied me for a second before nodding slowly, placing a kiss on my forehead and releasing me. "I see."

My father sighed, running a hand down his face. "She’ll come around Serenity."

"We both know she won’t" I muttered rolling my eyes. “I’m over it. Over her.” I turned back to Creed, reaching for his hand. "Come on. Let’s get another drink."

He gave my father a respectful nod before following me across the ballroom, his fingers tight around mine. And even with Sienna’s words hanging in the air like a ghost, I felt it— This thing between us wasn’t going anywhere. I was glad he was by my side, and I was glad he protected me, especially in front of my daddy, showing that he would be there no matter what.

The party was still going strong as the clock neared midnight, and I felt my stomach flip as Creed pulled me toward the balcony, away from the crowd.

The cold New York air wrapped around us, but I barely felt it—not with Creed standing so close, his body heat keeping me warm.

"Ten… nine… eight…"

The countdown rang from inside, but I wasn’t focused on the clock anymore. I was focused on him. He was already staring at me, his light brown eyes intense, burning, his fingers brushing my waist.

"Three… two… one… Happy New Year!"

And then, his lips were on mine. The kiss was deep, slow, hungry. Like he had been waiting for this moment as long as I had. Like he was claiming me.

I melted into him, my arms winding around his neck as he deepened the kiss, his hands gripping my waist, pulling me closer, my body pressed against his. Fire spread through me the longer our tongues explored one another, the anticipation, the weeks of tension finally bubbling over.

When we finally pulled back, my lips swollen, my breath shaky, I whispered the words that had been sitting on my tongue all night. "Wanna get out of here?"

Creed didn’t hesitate. "Hell yeah."

We went back inside, saying our goodbyes before making our way outside. I called for the car and it didn’t take long to come. The entire time, my mind raced, heart bumped and I became anxious thinking about what was to come. My body ached for him and had been aching since the moment I bumped into his solid body at that party almost a year ago.

The second we were through the door of the apartment; Creed’s hands were on me. His lips were back on mine, urgent, demanding, pushing me backward until my back hit the nearest wall. I gasped against him, and he took the opportunity to slip his tongue into my mouth, kissing me like he was trying to consume me whole.

My fingers gripped his shirt, then slid under it, feeling the warm, solid muscles of his back. He groaned, pressing me harder against the wall, his breath ragged as he pulled back just enough to look me in the eyes.

"You sure?" he murmured, placing his forehead against mine, voice rough.

I swallowed, my heart pounding. "Yeah," I whispered.

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