Page 8 of Dean Daddy

“For you,” I mutter.

“What did you say?”

“I said, there’s no other way to look at it for you. I’ve told you how Marcie and I see it. Your belief in something doesn’t make it true.”

“And neither does yours!” He raises his voice for the first time.

“Actually, mine would hold up against the law and basic biology. Yours just serves to satisfy some arbitrary sense of morality that you’ve decided to embrace.”

“I raised you with that sense of morality. To be a good man.”

“And I am a good man. I’m not looking for a hookup with Marcie. I genuinely like her and my intentions are pure. I wouldn’t do anything to hurt her,” I assure him.

“Causing a rift between her and her mother will hurt her. Maybe you should consider that. I expect you to join us for this breakfast in the morning. The four of us will have to sort this out together.” He walks to the driver’s door and says, “Good night, Mason.”

I walk to my car and climb inside, watching them through the rearview mirror. When they’ve pulled off and disappeared from sight, I get back out of the car and rush back to Marcie’s apartment. I bang on the door and she opens it with tears in her eyes, so I wrap my arms around her and close the door.

“This wasn’t the best way for them to find out about us, but it’s nothing to cry over. Once the initial shock wears off, I’ll make them see reason. I promise you,” I tell her.

“It’s just…I’ve never done anything like this before. The most I’ve ever done is kiss a boy and the first time that I go further, my mother knocks on the door and finds me with my stepbrother. I’m mortified,” she cries.

I take her by her shoulders and make her look into my eyes, “Tell me that you want to be with me. Tell me that your mother’s approval isn’t more important than what we could have together.”

She looks away and I tell her, “Look at me and tell me what you’re thinking.”

“I’ve never met anyone like you and I want to be with you more than anything but...”

“No, no buts. That’s all I needed to hear. I will fix this for you. It may not happen overnight but I’ll make them come around.”

She nods and sinks back into my arms. I want to pick her up, carry her to her bed, and make love to her so that she can see that we were made for each other, but now isn’t the time. Right now, she needs me to console her so I walk her to her bedroom, sit beside her on the bed, and hold her until she stops crying.

“My father has asked me to join you for breakfast in the morning. I should go so you can get some rest,” I tell her.

“I’m glad you’re going to be there with me. I was afraid to face them alone. I’m sure that my mother would just try to convince me that you’re using me.”

“Do you trust me, princess?”

“I do.”

“Good. Then nothing she says should change that. I’ll prove to you and her that I’m in this for the long haul.”

Kissing her goodnight is so bittersweet. I don’t want to leave her. Something in my core tells me that she’s meant to be mine, and I don’t want to spend a single second without her.

* * *

Morning comesand I call my secretary to let her know that I’ll be late coming in today. She seems surprised when I tell her that my father’s in town, and I realize that I’ve never discussed my family with anyone at the college. I’ve just focused on my work and maintained a professional distance from everyone.

I pull up to Marcie’s apartment just in time to see my family piling into my father’s car. Marcie sees me and her face lights up. She says something to her mother then turns and bolts toward my car. She climbs into the passenger seat and says, “I’m so glad you’re here. I didn’t want to spend another second alone with them.”

“Have they started already?” I ask her.

“No. They’ve been frighteningly silent, and it’s very uncomfortable,” she replies.

I take her hand in mine and make small circles on her palm with my thumb, “I missed you last night. I never got the chance to tell you how delicious you are.”

“Don’t say that,” she grins like a naughty schoolgirl.

“Why not? It’s true. I can’t wait to get another lick.”

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