Chapter 13
JULIET
We decided to leave. Together.
That decision didn’t come in one big dramatic moment. It built up over several exhausting days until we both knew it was the only thing that made sense.
We really tried to stay, but every time I walked through the main house, it didn’t feel like home anymore, not right now, not like this. My dad’s silence had become a living thing, so loud on its own that it was suffocating.
He’d go out on the boat early just to avoid seeing Bastian in the yard, and Mom tried to keep things civil, but I could see how worn down she was, caught between her husband and her daughter. The guilt of knowing I was making their already fragile marriage even harder sat like a rock in my stomach.
I packed light with just clothes for a couple of weeks, some toiletries, and a few things that were important to me. I wasn’t running. That’s what I told myself anyway. I was giving everyone breathing room and peace to figure this out on their own terms.
I stood in the kitchen while Mom was making tea and Dad was reading the paper.
“I…” I cleared my throat, my father not putting his paper down, my mother giving me a quick glance over her shoulder. “We’re going to stay at a cabin on the other side of town for a little while,” I started. “To give everyone some space.”
The words landed heavily in the room. Dad still didn’t look up, but I heard his teeth grind and saw his knuckles go white, but he stayed completely silent. The lack of response hurt more than yelling ever could.
My mom finally turned from the counter, her expression a complicated mix of sadness, worry, and reluctant understanding.
She set her mug down and walked over to me, pulling me into a stiff but genuine hug.
It was the first time she’d offered affection since everything happened, and I closed my eyes and absorbed the feeling.
“I don’t like this,” she whispered against my hair, her voice thick. “None of it feels right to me. But… I know you’re hurting, too. Just be careful, okay? And keep your phone on. If you need us, we're here.”
I nodded against her shoulder, tears stinging my eyes. “I love you both,” I managed to say, opening my eyes and looking at my dad. He was watching me, the most excruciating expression on his face. But still he said nothing.
“I’m sorry I made things so hard right now.”
I stood for another moment, hugging my mother because it had felt like a lifetime since I'd felt her embrace. I hoped my dad might say something, but when my mother pulled away and he still didn’t speak, I exhaled, nodded, and walked out of the kitchen, my chest tight.
My bag sat by the front door, and I grabbed it, gave one more look toward the kitchen, and finally left. Bastian was waiting by his truck for me, the rear loaded up with supplies. When I stepped beside him, he took one look at my face and pulled me into his arms without asking questions.
“Everything will be okay.”
I knew it would be, but that didn’t help how things felt right now, like everything was crumbling around us.
The drive to the cabin was quiet and seemed longer than it really was, but the further we got from the drama, the lighter I felt. Bastian kept one hand on the wheel and the other on my thigh the entire way, his thumb brushing back and forth like he needed the contact to stay grounded.
I needed it, too.
When we pulled up to the small wooden cabin tucked among the trees, it felt like the first real breath I’d taken in weeks. I’d go back and get my car later in the week when I packed up a few more things, but right now, this was enough.
I climbed out and closed my eyes, inhaling deeply.
God, the air smelled cleaner, absent of disappointment and shame.
The only sounds were birds and the distant lap of water against the shore.
We were on the other end of the lake, miles and miles of water and land separating Bastian and me from our family and the drama.
“Come on, baby," Bastian said from beside me, taking my bag. He led us to the front door, and once inside, I looked around at what would be home for the foreseeable future. I didn't know how long we’d stay here. Maybe until things cooled down a bit more. Maybe for the rest of the summer.
Only time would tell.
Inside, the cabin was simple but cozy with only one bedroom and a bathroom attached to it and a small kitchen and living room that made up the great room. There was a big window overlooking the lake, and I found myself moving toward it and marveling at how beautiful the scenery was.
“It takes your breath away, doesn’t it?” I murmured.
When I turned, Bastian was staring at me instead of the view.
“Yeah,” he said softly. “You do.”
I felt my face heat, and I looked down, a small smile tugging at my lips.
I unpacked slowly, almost shyly, needing something to do to keep my mind off our family. I’d never lived with a man before, but I was excited to learn how to exist together without the constant pressure of everyone else watching.
The rest of the day, we stayed inside, organizing things, learning to be in each other's presence without any guilt or shame or worry. Once the sun set, we made a simple dinner with the supplies Bastian had brought from his cabin. I knew the pasta and sauce from a jar would be the best meal I’d ever had.
It all felt so normal it almost hurt.
I set the table right in front of the window, and once seated, I couldn’t calm my racing nerves.
We talked about little things, like what kind of dog we’d have someday.
Or maybe we’d have a cat. I told him I used to hate the taste of lake water as a kid, and because of that, I refused to go in the water for an entire summer.
Life fell into place so normally, so comfortably, and for the first time in weeks, we weren’t hiding or waiting for the next argument or awkward silence.
We were just… us.
This is how it can always be, I thought to myself.
After dinner, we cleaned up together, shoulders brushing, stealing small touches like we were learning how to be ourselves openly. When the last dish was put away, something changed.
My pulse thrummed at the base of my throat when Bastian stepped behind me at the sink, wrapping his arms around my waist and pressing a kiss to the side of my neck. His voice was low and rough when he spoke.
“I need you, baby,” he murmured against my skin. “Been needing you all fucking day.”
I turned in his arms and kissed him. It started slow, almost careful, but quickly turned deep and desperate. His hands slid under my shirt, rough palms gliding back and forth over my bare skin like he needed to claim me, make me his.
I knew we wouldn’t make it to the bedroom.
Bastian dropped to his knees, peeling my shorts and panties off as he lowered, hands parting my thighs exposing my pussy for him. He ran his nose along my slit, smearing my juices across his face, inhaling my scent before latching his mouth over me.
I moaned loudly, fingers twisting in his hair as he devoured me like he was addicted. I could only focus on the way Bastian licked me deep, fucking me with his tongue before pulling back enough that he could slide two thick fingers inside me while he sucked hard on my clit.
Then he stood up, shoved his pants down, and grabbed his throbbing, swollen cock. God, he was big. Pre-cum beaded at the slit at the tip, dripping down his length to cover his palm as he jerked himself off.
“Fuck me. Stretch me wide. Own me.”
And fuck me he did. Shoving himself in my wet pussy, Bastian pistoned in and out of me, each stroke deep and slick and hitting just the right places.
Pleasure built in me so quick I couldn’t utter a sound.
And when he reached around and smoothed a finger over my asshole, teasing it with light circles, I came.
Wave after wave rolled through me, my body jerking with spasms, my cum flowing down his dick like honey.
Not but a moment after me, Bastian tipped his head back, neck arching and straining, veins bulging with tension, and he came. Pump after pump filled me with hot, sticky cum. I rolled my hips against his, pulling more and more from him, sucking every last drop with my pussy.
When his orgasm waned, he collapsed and held me in his arms. We panted, both of us breathing roughly. He stayed buried inside me and kissed my forehead, his fingers slowly tracing the back of my neck.
“I’m not going anywhere,” he said with conviction. “We’ll figure it all out.”
I believed him because, for the first time in weeks, we had space to just be together. No eyes watching or voices judging.
Just us and, right now, that felt like everything.