Page 105 of Wild

She curls her legs under her, her hair the same shade as mine pulled back in a low bun. A few stray hairs fall over her face. I’ve always thought she was beautiful, and I hope I look as enchanting as her when I’m her age.

She rests her elbow on the back of the couch and her head in her hand.

“That Hollis is a good-looking guy,” she remarks.

“He’s okay I guess,” I lie.

She smiles knowingly. “How long?”

I look over my shoulder and back at her with panic in my eyes. “You can’t tell Dad.”

“I won’t.” She raises her hands innocently.

I give her a look.

“I won’t,”she reiterates. “Believe me honey, there’s a lot I haven’t told your father over the years.”

I raise a brow. “Really?”

“Are you kidding me? He’s way too overprotective. If he had his way, I’d never leave the house.”

We both laugh.

“So, how long?” she asks again.

“About two months,” I say. “Less if you’re asking when it became official.”

“I haven’t heard the best things about him,” she admits. “But I also know how the media can be.”

“It seems pretty accurate where he’s concerned,” I sigh. “He admits to it, but he’s different with me. We talk. About deep things. Personal things. It’s not like we have sex and that’s it. We’re … a couple. God, it’s weird to say but true.”

She smiles. “I like seeing you happy—but you know you’re going to have to tell your dad eventually.”

“I know,” I groan. “But you know how he is. He warned the guys to stay away from me. Like I’m some possession or something,” I whine.

She gives me a motherly look. “He’s your dad. In his eyes no one is ever going to be good enough for you. But this is your life, your choices, own them, sweetie. Tell him he can’t control you—because hecan’t. If this is the man you want to be with, the one you love, be honest with him.”

“I will, but not yet.”

She pats my hand. “Do it soon.”

It’s as much a warning as it is a request.

“I will,” I say again with more resolve.

CHAPTER26

HOLLIS

Cannon drops us back off at Mia’s place after the fantastic Thanksgiving dinner we had. Mia’s mom can cook like a goddess, that’s for sure. It was also fun playing with Mia, even if I ended up being tortured in the process. Trying to hide my hard-on in front of her dad was not my idea of a good time.

I follow Mia up the stairs to her apartment, my hands on her hips and one thing on my mind.

She unlocks the door and I urge her inside kicking the door closed behind us.

Before I can kiss her, she puts her hands on my chest and gives me a shove.

She drops to her knees, tearing at my belt buckle like a mad woman.

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