Page 35 of Sweet Possession

“Something smells good.” My angel’s soft voice brings me back from my crazy thoughts, and I spin to face her. She leans against the door frame, wearing one of my t-shirts, her hair wet from her bath. She looks so fucking exquisite right now, all fresh faced and perfect.

Mine.

My cock hardens in my sweats from just looking at her. I want to devour her whole, but now is not the time. She needs me right now, to comfort and support her. Not that she’ll admit it. My angel has been too strong on her own for too long, but she needs to realize that she has me to lean on now. “I’m making Mexican. Is that okay?”

She pushes off the jamb and saunters towards me. Looking at her, you wouldn’t think anything is wrong, but I see the hurt in her eyes. She can’t hide it from me. Throwing her arms around my neck, she pushes up on her toes and kisses me. “I love Mexican food.” I know what she’s doing. She’s trying to distract me.

Wrapping my arms around her tiny waist, I pull her into me. “You don’t have to pretend with me, angel. I know you’re hurting from whatever your…” I trail off and clear my throat. I won’t sugarcoat things. “Whatever that woman said to you. You’re allowed to be upset. What you aren’t allowed to do is hide from me. I know you, baby; I see the hurt in your eyes. I understand it. But I don’t think she warrants even a second’s thought or any kind of reaction from you. She doesn’t deserve to be called mom. She doesn’t deserve you.” I finish. My angel stares up at me with tear rimmed eyes. Maybe I was a little harsh calling her out, but she needs to hear it. She is my woman now, and I won’t let anyone hurt her. Not even her own flesh and blood.

She sighs, throwing me a look that saysI wish you didn’t know me so well.But I do, and she can’t conceal her emotions from me, no matter how hard she tries. “You’re right. I know you are. It’s just hard, you know? Mom was amazing and then she wasn’t. I know she was and still is grieving the loss of my dad, but so am I, and she just abandoned me.”

I squeeze her waist in silent support. “And that’s okay, angel. You are allowed to feel this way. But what I won’t tolerate is her still hurting you, still bringing you down. Look at how amazing you’re doing without her, what you’ve achieved. You did it all by yourself, and you should be proud of that. But you have me now, and I’m going to be with you every step of the way.Iwill never abandon you.”

Her eyes glisten, and she inhales a deep breath as she takes in my words. I can see a hint of doubt in her gaze, but there’s no need for it. I understand she is wary, but I will show her just how much she means to me. How much you can achieve when you have someone in your corner, cheering you on. For her, that someone is me. I won’t stop until she has everything she ever wanted. Till her dreams become a reality.

Tapping her ass, I release her. “Go sit in the lounge. I’ll bring dinner to you, and, after we eat, let’s see if we can win some money online. It’s been a while since you played.”

Her eyes gleam with excitement. My angel likes playing poker. “Yes,” she shrieks excitedly. “I know I’ve saved a lot in the last couple of months, but I decided I want to buy a car when I get my license. I don’t really want to dip into the money I already have, so I need to win more.”

I frown. “Don’t worry about that. I’ll buy you a car.”

She shakes her head. “What? No. I can’t allow you to do that. You do so much for me already.”

I growl, grabbing her waist and pulling her into me again. “You will allow me to do this, angel. You’re mine, and I look after what is mine. It’s settled. No arguing about it.” I tap her nose. “We can go to the DMV after school tomorrow and apply for your license, okay?”

She sighs, but I know I have her. “Okay.”

* * *

I’m sitting at my desk, on my laptop when the class filters in. I bite back a smile at the fact I’m going to see my angel. It’s the best part of my day, the hour she is in my class.

Glancing up, I watch as the room fills and wait for Remi to appear. She doesn’t. The final bell sounds, signaling the start of the lesson. Still, my girl doesn’t appear. Pushing out of my seat, I round the desk and lean against it, arms crossed over my chest as my eyes narrow at her empty desk.

“Where’s Miss Hale?” I ask no one in particular, but it’s Logan that answers.

“Mr. Henderson wanted to see her after class.” He shrugs.

My blood runs cold, and everything in me tightens.

Oh, hell no.

Before I can stop myself, I’m rushing from my classroom, not giving one fuck about the students waiting for me to teach them.

Shoving through the door and into the empty hallway, I walk at a fast pace… Fine, I run down the hall to Brody’s room.

Bursting through the doors, my gaze lands on my angel, sitting at a desk as Brody leans against his. My eyes rake over her body to check that she is okay. To make sure that she is fully dressed. I know it’s overkill, but, after the shit with Cali, I don’t trust this fucker one bit. The fact he has kept her behind tells me that he knows more than he should.

Was it Brody that was in the library the other day? I checked and didn’t find anything, but I find it odd that he kept Remi and no one else.

My fears are confirmed when I move my gaze over to my former, smirking best friend.

He knows.

I don’t know how. But he knows that something is happening between us. That Remi is mine.

“The bell rang. You should be in my class,” I state as calmly as I can.

Brody pushes off the desk and steps towards me. “It’s my fault, Mr. Grant. I had some things to discuss with Miss Hale.”