Chapter 21

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

FINN

Once Monster’s parents are gone, he joins me on the couch pulling me back into his arms again.

“How are you doing?” he questions, and I shrug, not really sure how to answer.

“I was a little shaken to see Donny tonight,” I admit. “I haven’t seen him outside of family functions in a long time and it kind of threw me for a loop.”

“I’m so sorry that happened,” he whispers, squeezing me tightly.

“Donny was extremely verbally and physically abusive of me when we were growing up,” I tell Monster, wanting him to know the whole story. “He made my life a living hell, and my parents were always on his side. My dad was just as verbally abusive, and my mother didn’t care. Some of the physical abuse stopped when I moved in with Grandpa, but that didn’t stop Donny from tearing me down every chance he could get. I did my best to avoid him at all costs, but that’s easier said than done when you go to the same school. I was beyond grateful when he graduated, and I had a couple of years away from him. The only time I see him now is at family gatherings, but he’s smart enough not to do anything there because for some dumb reason, he thinks he’s still going to get an inheritance from Grandpa.”

“And he’s not?” Monster questions, and I shake my head.

“Grandpa changed his will years ago, but he’s been stringing the rest of the family along. Honestly, I think he didn’t tell anyone because he was secretly hoping they would change their ways and become better people, but that hasn’t happened, and I don’t think it ever will. I know he was being hopeful for my sake. He hates how much they’ve hurt me and wishes things were different. But I don’t need them. I only need him. He told me tonight that he’s going to tell them the truth on his birthday.” Monster’s eyes go wide, and I can’t help but snicker. “I’m pretty sure that was the look I had when he told me. It’s going to be a shit show.”

“I can only imagine. Are you going to be safe when they find out you’re getting everything?” he asks with genuine concern written all over his face.

I shrug. “I’m sure I’ll be fine, but they aren’t going to be happy, that’s for sure.” I nibble on my lower lip before telling him the other part that Grandpa mentioned earlier. “Grandpa also wanted me to invite you to the party,” I say quietly, expecting another shocked look, but instead Monster beams at me with a sparkle in his eyes.

“You told him about us?” he checks, and I tilt my head from side to side, trying to pretend to be indifferent.

“Maybe,” I murmur.

Monster grips my hips and gives me a pull so that I’m straddling him. A gentle hand slides into my hair, and he smiles at me brightly.

“I’d be honored to attend your grandpa’s birthday with you if that’s what you want,” he tells me while staring into my eyes.

“Like I said, it’s going to be a shit show,” I mumble, but that doesn’t cause Monster’s smile to falter.

“Even more reason for me to be there,” he counters. “I can make sure you're safe and that those people never hurt you again.”

Fuck, how is this man real? We’ve known each other for less than a month and have only been dating for a week, but I’m already falling head over heels for him. He makes me feel better than anyone I’ve ever been with, so why should I care about timelines? It’s obvious he cares just as deeply for me, and this isn’t a one-sided thing.

“You really like me, don’t you?” I whisper, and Monster’s face softens with what I want to say is a look of love but it’s far too fast for that. Isn’t it?

“Since the moment I laid eyes on you, I knew you were someone I wanted to get to know. And since you’ve been in my life, everything has changed for the better. I more than like you, but I don’t want to scare you off. So yeah, you can say I really like you for now. Maybe in a couple of more weeks, we can call it what it really is.”

My breath catches in my lungs, and I’m not sure who moves first, but our lips meet, and I let out a little needy moan.

“Would it… be okay… if I… spent the night again?” Monster asks between kisses as he trails his lips from mine down to my neck. “We don’t have classes tomorrow, and I don’t have to leave for my away game until ten,” he informs me before pulling my earlobe between his teeth which has me panting and unable to think.

“Y-y-yeah,” I stammer out. “Th-th-that sounds good.”

He pulls back and shoots me the sexiest smirk I’ve ever seen.

“Perfect. How about we take this to the bedroom then?” he suggests.

The words are barely out of his mouth before I’m scampering off of him and dragging him to my room.

Last night was hot, and I would be content with only sucking each other off again, but God, do I hope we go farther. I’d really love Monster’s giant cock inside of me tonight, but only if he’s ready. I won’t ever pressure him to do anything before he is ready.

I’m pretty sure I love him already, and I won’t do anything to push him away. I want him for as long as he’ll have me. Maybe that can be forever.