Page 81 of Tantalizing Kings

Yeah, that won't go over well with our moms.

“She fell asleep?” my mom asks as I get to the bottom of the stairs.

“Yup.” I smile down at Sadie and give her forehead a kiss.

“Do you think you should wake her up so she can go home? Erin already left.”

I narrow my eyes. “No.”

“Collin,” she warns. “I told you to go easy until you're no longer her teacher. You agreed.”

“And you kept me from her for years,” I growl. “In that time, she dated some waste of space guy who treated her like shit and cheated on her. And don’t think I don’t know about the hospital.” My mom looks surprised. “Yeah, I have eyes everywhere. You had the damn school put me on lock down until she was out. Smart, because I would have gone to see her. She was sick in the hospital, almost died, and I couldn’t be there by her side. It fucking killed me, Mom. So no, I’m not going to keep away and watch myself. And no, I’m not going to wake her up so she can go home. She’s going to sleep in my bed, next to me, where she belongs.”

Mom lets out a frustrated sigh. “I didn’t know you knew about her illness.”

“I know more about it than anyone. And I know a lot of it has to do with that little bitch, Tina. You should have expelled her after Sadie told her mom what happened.”

“Sadie didn’t want to press charges and begged her mother not to. My hands were tied,” she tries to defend.

“Mine aren't. And if I find out she fucks with my girl like that again, you better damn well know I’ll put her in the fucking ground.”

I don’t let her say another word and head down the hall to my wing of the house, walking past my office to my bedroom.

Pulling the sheets back, I lay her down carefully, not wanting to wake her up. When I know she's good, I slip on some sleep pants and crawl into bed next to her.

She rolls over and I grin. Using this as a chance to be close to her while we sleep, I snuggle in behind her.

Only now, with her in my arms, can my mind stop racing and my soul calm. She’s my lighthouse, always guiding me back to shore when the storm gets too rough.

Chapter 22

Sadie

“So, where is he takingyou?” Emma asks as she curls my hair.

“I don’t know.”

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