Chapter 28
“Still, thanks,” I reply.
My eyes drift to Nova and I can’t help but want to slip my hand over hers and interlace them together. I hate that I’ve upset her.
I have this desperate need to touch her to alleviate the tension in the air. But I need to respect her and her parents. I’ve already left a bad first impression. I’m feeling unsettled and I can only imagine this is how she felt with my family.
After they met Nova, my family proceeded to bombard me with texts and calls to remind me not to fuck this up, to tell me how beautiful and intelligent she is and how happy they are for me. I had to laugh a few times. Do they think I’m unaware of how special she is? I barely looked at a woman before, but with her, she consumes me. Every day. All day.
“Are you able to return back to your job after treatment?” I ask her dad.
Her mom brings a glass of water and I look up and mouth, thanks.
She takes her seat, and we eat.
The chicken is incredible.
“I’m on unpaid leave, but I’m due back soon.”
I frown. “But you”re in the middle of treatment.”
“I can’t have Nova supporting us any longer. She’s our child. I don’t want this life for her. I want her to have her own life.” There’s a bite to his words and I don’t know if it’s at me or the fact he hates Nova supporting them.
“I understand,” I reply. My brain is working overtime. My eyes drift to Nova whose flushed cheeks let me know she didn’t want me to know that certain piece of information. But I’m going to pay her rent and her parents’ mortgage. She’s going to fight me on it because that’s Nova. She’s strong and independent. But she needs to know she can still help them without sacrificing her future or anything she wants to do.
I want to help her. It will be a good way to make up for being late too.
After we leave, I’ll sort it out.
I’ll worry about how she reacts when the mortgage is already paid, and her rent is done. I’d buy that property, but I don’t want her living there forever.
No, she”s my forever girl, and I want her to live with me.
“If you’re unable to go back to that job, quit, and I’ll find you a job. There are so many people I know and so many jobs within the hospitals. I can help you out.”
“Would it include all the benefits?”
“Of course. Better pay and conditions I promise you, Mr Lee.”
Her dad nods. “I’ll think about it. I can barely stay awake for 5 hours let alone 8-to-10-hour shifts.”
“You need to concentrate on treatment. Gain your strength back.” I grab my wallet and pull out a business card, sliding it across to him. He picks it up and stares at it before looking at me.
I smile. “Call me when you’re ready. I’ll look after you.”
He looks over to his wife and I see a misty look in Nova’s mom”s eyes. Then I move my gaze to Nova, who’s staring at me with a glassy stare. I think that means whatever I said was right.
We eat in silence around the compact wooden table before Nova speaks.
“Do you watch football?” Nova asks me.
“A little, why?” I reply.
“My dad watches it.”
“Who do you follow?” I ask as I eat a portion of the buttery potato.
“The Eels. You?”
I want Nova”s dad to like me. I don’t want to fail over football. “No specific team but maybe you could convince me to root for the Eels.”
He dips his head at me. “Good choice.”
I smile and my hand slips to Nova”s knee under the table. I give it a gentle squeeze. Nova turns to me, and I wink at her.
We finish dinner and Nova stands when her mom does to start clearing the plates. I go to stand to take my plate to the dishwasher, but Nova holds out a hand to stop me.
“Stay. I’ll bring you a slice of the blueberry pie.”
“I was going to say I am full, but if there’s homemade pie, I’ll find room.”
“You won’t regret it. Mom makes the best pie.”
“Is your mom the reason you know how to cook?”
“Yeah. My mom will tell you all the stories about teaching me to cook.”
“It’s been our thing since she was a little girl,” her mom gushes.
“I just get to eat it all,” her dad says with a chuckle.
“I can’t blame you, sir. I’d happily be the taste tester. Except I’d probably gain a ton of weight.”
“Nova is a great cook,” her mom continues.
“I learned from the best,” Nova responds.
Her mom hugs her, and I love the warmth they all share.
I watch as Nova”s mom pulls the pie from the oven. The pastry is the perfect golden color. I lick my lips with anticipation.
The room is infused with the rich buttery aroma of pastry.
Nova’s mom cuts up pieces and serves us all a big slice of pie. I pick up the whipped cream and pour a decent helping and then eat.
It’s so good. I can’t help but moan. I don’t take a breath until I’ve finished my entire slice. “I’m so full but Mrs. Lee that was a feast. Thank you. You didn”t have to go to so much trouble,” I say, leaning back in my chair.
“I know but I’m glad you enjoyed it,” she replies with a warm smile.
Her dad yawns beside me.
“Dad, take Jeremy to the couch while I clean up with Mom. Watch a little bit of the Eels before we go,” Nova orders.
My lips twitch at her telling us what to do.
“All right,” her dad says without a fight. He’s obviously used to it. I”m not, but I actually don’t mind her commands. It’s sexy.
“Are you sure you don’t need a hand?” I ask, feeling bad leaving the girls to clean up all the mess on their own.
“No, please sit with my dad. Mom and I have mastered this.” Nova”s expression is almost pleading. Like she wants me to spend time with her dad.
I refrain from probing further and instead walk through her cozy family home, which exudes a humble charm. Family pictures hang on the walls, telling stories of the years gone by. Taking a seat on the well-worn sofa, I listen as he explains the rules in detail. His excitement is palpable, especially as the Eels seem to be winning, and I can’t help but join in the excitement with a shout of my own.
Nova and her mom join us to watch some of the game before it’s time for us to leave.
We say goodnight so her dad can go to bed and as soon as we are outside beside my car, I can”t help but kiss her.
I’ve wanted to do it all night.
She moans and kisses me back with so much passion. Her hands on my shoulders move to my neck. She’s so handsy and not afraid of touching me everywhere. I love it. I love that she shows me how much she wants me.
I move my hands down her back to the top of her round ass. I push her against me. Where she finds me rock hard. She whimpers and grinds against me.
It causes me to snap. “Let’s go home,” I say, my voice hoarse.
“What about my car?”
“Terry will sort it out.” I pull open the car door and she climbs in. I get in the car and drive off, trying not to speed my way home.
On the drive back, I ask her the burning question. “Why didn’t you tell me you were helping them out?”
She exhales and stares out the window. “I knew you were going to bring this up.”
“It’s huge,” I say softly.
“It’s not. My parents are struggling, and I can afford to help them.”
“And how long were you intending on helping them?”
She shrugs. “For as long as needed.”
I grow quiet.
My admiration and respect for her deepens as our connection strengthens overtime.
I park in the garage and then open her door. Without exchanging words, she gets out of my car gracefully. I take her by the hand and lead us inside.
We don’t speak. I just walk through my house all the way until I have us in my bedroom. I need her. The pressure to have her has been burning all night and right now I’m about to pop.
As soon as we enter my room, my mouth is on hers. A deep feral growl rips through me.
I walk her backward until we’re close to my bed. My tongue skims her lips to encourage her to open them. When she does, our tongues collide––hers is demanding inside my mouth.
And I hate the knowledge that I can’t have this or her all the time.
I’ve never thought or asked this of a woman before, but with Nova, I want it. No fuck. I need it.
“Come live with me,” I rasp between hot kisses.
Her hands unbutton my shirt as she gazes at me longingly.
“When?”
“Now.”
“I can’t…” she whispers.
“Why not?”
She blinks and she’s pushing my shirt down my arms until it falls to the floor.
“It’s too soon,” she breathes.
“To who? My family adores you as much as me. Your family seems to like me. Would they be opposed?”
She snorts. “No. You have their approval.”
“I do?” I ask surprised. I knew her mom liked me, but her dad was hard to read. I try to remember what they said tonight that would gain that much confidence from her.
“Trust me. You answered all my dad’s questions, and you watched football with him on the sofa. You have him. Mom was in the kitchen gushing over how perfect you are and how you look…” She trails off.
When I realize she won’t continue, I push to hear the rest. “Look what?”
“How you look at me differently.”
My mouth curves slowly and seductively. Not hiding the fact that I know I do. “Oh, I do. You shine so bright when you”re in a room. You make it impossible not to stare. I’m addicted to you. My beautiful star.”
I sound like such a wimp, but I can’t help the way she makes me feel.
Her hands trail over my hot chest to the sides of my face. She rises on her tiptoes and kisses me. “You have no idea how powerful you are. Always working hard. You’re admirable.”
I think my heart stops.
“You think me working hard is admirable?” I ask in disbelief.
“Of course,” she says.
Nova doesn’t get jealous or worry. And I’m glad because I don’t want anyone else; I only want her.
Whenever I’m on my phone or when I’m not with her, I’m working. I didn’t become successful by doing the minimum. I work hard and I hope with my future, I can play harder.
Being able to pay her parents’ mortgage or her rent for a year is nothing but small change to me. To them, it’s a life raft.
If I wasn’t already falling for Nova, this is proof.
“I need you, Nova.”
“I need you too.”
“Get on the bed,” I command, grabbing a condom and rolling it on.
She blinks at me but doesn’t waste another second before she climbs on my bed, lying back on her elbows and waiting for me.
“Fuck. The way you look at me kills me. You make it so hard to concentrate. I should punish you.”
She gives me a wicked-as-sin smile. “Do your best.”