Page 70 of Tainted Rose

Xander

I’ve got to say, I was a little concerned that Sebastian wasn’t going to say what he should, but I think he did himself and his daughter proud just now.

Once everyone’s calmed down and June has passed tissues around to those in need, Sebastian catches Scarlett’s eye. “I have something I want to run by you—and you can say no if you don’t want me to do this. I won’t be offended.”

Her brows draw together, uncertain. “What do you have in mind?”

“I’ve been thinking—I’d like to start a scholarship to be given out every year in honor of your mother. You could be in charge of choosing the recipient.”

Scarlett twitches a bit in her seat before she locks eyes with him. “I think that would be great. But … no more secrets. I don’t want to hide who is fronting the money. I don’t want to hide anything.” Her eyes flick to his, and I see hope there, lying in the depths. Her voice is rough when she adds, “I don’t want to hide whose daughter I am, either. It should be clear that it’s the two of us granting it—me and my dad.”

Sebastian’s gaze bounces between Scarlett and Mom.

Mom pats his hand. “You know she’s right, Sebastian.”

He nods. “It’s settled, then. I’ll call and discuss the Amelia Miller Scholarship with Headmaster Gilmore first thing Monday morning.”

I have no clue if my mother or Sebastian are going to notice that Scarlett isn’t in the pretty guest room that they’ve provided, but I’m not having it any other way. She’ll stay with me or me with her. There are no other options. I need her with me. I need to touch her, need to know she’s safe and whole and unharmed by all that’s happened. I need to know she doesn’t blame me for leaving her vulnerable. I hate that all of this could have been prevented—but in a way, I’m glad we’ve come through it and are now on the other side. My father and Justin have enough charges against them that I wouldn’t be surprised if they both see time in prison. Mom and I will be speaking to the detective about what we lived through as well. We’d like to make sure Joseph Grey is put away for a long, long time. I’m happy about it. Because in all honesty? He was only ever a father to me in the biological sense. He’s been the monster in all of my worst nightmares. Never my dad.

I pull Scarlett through the door behind me, then close it. I back her up against it, dipping my head down and nuzzling the juncture of her neck and shoulder.

Her body strains toward mine at the same time she teases, “Maybe I should be in the guest bedroom.”

Shaking my head at her, I rasp, “Stay. Stay here with me. Let me show you how sorry I am for everything. I need to know that everything that’s happened hasn’t changed the way you feel about me. I want to take care of you.”

“Does this involve us getting naked? Because there’s nothing that would make me feel better right now.” She gives me a tiny smirk, and that’s how I know for sure our relationship is stronger than ever.

I chuckle darkly. “Red, I want to sink into you and never be apart from you again.”

“Then show me, Xander. Because nothing your father did to you or to me was your fault. Justin wasn’t your fault, either. I don’t want to think about them anymore. I don’t want to think at all. I just want to feel.” She reaches for my jeans, freeing my erection in no time flat, pushing both the jeans and my boxer briefs down to my knees. I yank my T-shirt over my head at the same time she shrugs out of hers. My mouth brushes over her lips as I go for her leggings and panties, pushing them down over her sweet ass. She kicks free of them, and I lift her so she can wrap her legs around me. Nothing has ever felt more right. I drive my hard, heavy cock inside her in one powerful stroke. She lets out a little gasp, but then tilts her hips to take me deeper.

Deeper. I’ve fallen for this girl more deeply than I’d ever thought possible. I want all her laughs, her tears, her smiles, her pain. I want it all. With her.

“Fuck me, Xander. I need to feel you.”

My dick likes the way she thinks. I growl, “Red, you and your sassy mouth are going to get you in trouble one day.”

She smiles, eyes filled with emotion, battling back tears. “If this is trouble, it’s right where I want to be.”

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