Page 19 of Fade (Fighting Fate)

Groaning, I pushed her against the door of her car and plunged my tongue into the warmth of her mouth. She was fucking perfect.

The second she loosened her hold and eased back a little, I forced myself to end the kiss. It was fucking hard, but I respected her too much to not honor her limits.

I pressed my lips against her neck, trying to catch the breath she’d stolen from me.

“I think you have the potential to make me forget my own name,” she whispered in my ear.

I swallowed, knowing damned well she had the potential to do all that and much, much more to me.

Chapter 9

Amy

The sound of the doorbell had me scrambling for my bag and down the stairs as fast as I could.

Unfortunately, Mom still beat me to the door. I saw her eyes widen when she saw who was on the other side.

“Ryan?”

I groaned. I hadn’t told either of my parents about Daniel. It wasn’t that I was trying to hide him from them or anything. I just had no interest in telling them about any aspect of my life anymore.

“No, ma’am,” I heard Daniel answer before I got there. “I’m Daniel. Ryan’s brother.”

“Oh my goodness,” she breathed out. “That’s right. You lived with your father, didn’t you?” The interest in her tone had me tensing.

“Theoretically speaking,” Daniel answered.

I reached Mom’s side, slightly out of breath, and gave Daniel an apologetic smile.

“Theoretically? What do you mean?” Mom pressed.

Daniel’s gaze unwillingly went to Mom. “I attended military school, ma’am, so I more or less lived on campus.”

Mom recoiled. “Military school? Why on earth would you go there?”

I watched Daniel’s mouth creep up on one side. He was enjoying this. “I guess I pissed my father off one too many times, ma’am.”

The gasp Mom let out was expected. “But you will be going back to work with him, won’t you?”

Daniel’s eyebrow rose a notch. “No, ma’am. I’m in the United States Marine Corp now.”

“Oh my . . . ” Her hand went to her chest at the horror of it all. “Well, that’s just ridiculous. Why would you throw away the chance of a successful career with your father?”

I blinked at her. Was she serious? Daniel seemed just as dumbfounded. Holding my finger up to Daniel to indicate for him to wait a second, I closed the door on him and turned to face Mom.

“Mom!” I hissed. “Choosing a career defending our country—our way of life—is the most noble and honorable career there is!”

Her gaze snapped to mine, and her expression darkened. “I don’t think so. And no daughter of mine will date a marine. I forbid it.”

My jaw dropped. I was seriously shocked by her words. “What is wrong with you?” I whispered.

Crossing her arms, she gave me a warning glare. “Watch your mouth, young lady. You still live under my roof, and until such time as that changes, you will do as you’re told. You will not be dating a marine. End of story. Do you have any idea how little money they actually make?”

Ah . . . so there it was. The elephant in the room.

Disappointment and embarrassment washed through me. Sadly, I shook my head. If I had any doubts as to whether I was doing the right thing by taking my own road, away from my parents, they were long gone now.

“I want to feel sorry for you, but I can’t even do that.” Opening the door, I moved past her and took Daniel’s hand. “I’m going out.”

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