23. Kitty

23

KITTY

H aving a parent walk in on you having sex was anyone’s worst nightmare. Having your Mom walk in on you when you’re mid-orgasm spread out on the dressing room stage somehow transcended all of that and became the single most horrifically embarrassing moment of my entire life.

One second, I was in the throes of pleasure, lost to the talent of Rook’s tongue and then next, I was scrambling about on the floor for my clothes while Rook did his best to keep me covered.

My Mom was furious, but what stung the most was her unwillingness to listen to a single thing I said.

“I can’t believe this, I can’t believe this! What kind of man are you? We trusted you, do you understand? We trusted you to keep our daughter safe and instead, you’re in there defiling her? What kind of monster are you?”

She screamed so loud that some of her words didn’t even sound like words anymore. I offered a rapid apology to Hilda, who seemed much more amused about the situation, then ran outside after my mother as she was striding toward the car still cursing out Rook with every breath.

“You will take me home only because I don’t want to call another car here, but consider yourself lucky that I don’t call the police! When Samuel is done with you, you might end up begging for the police!”

“Mom!” I yelled, following her into the car since she refused to stop for even a second. “What are you talking about? No one is calling the police. Rook didn’t do anything wrong!”

“Don’t be so ridiculous, Kitty,” Mom snapped. “I know what I saw. He had you on the floor and you were… disgusting, I tell you. I am so disgusted we ever let you walk through the door!”

Rook remained silent as he drove. I suspected he understood that it was the wisest choice right now because my mother would immediately overrule anything he tried to say.

“He wasn’t doing anything wrong! Mom, I’m an adult. I have sex! Sure, we shouldn’t have been doing it in the dressing room, but are you going to sit there and tell me you and Dad never gave in to any urges?”

My stomach flipped slightly thinking about it and I shuddered, then forced the sensation down. No matter how humiliated or embarrassed I was, I knew it was going to get ten times worse when Dad found out.

“Don’t talk to me about that!” Mom yelled. “You’re missing the point. He is supposed to take care of you. No wonder Samuel was so quick to fire you, Rook. He must have known you were taking advantage of our daughter!”

“Mom, no!”

I was no use. Nothing I said got through to her. She just kept talking louder and louder to the point that I had to stop arguing with her just so she wouldn’t leave my ears ringing from her screaming.

This couldn’t be happening.

Rook attempted to speak to her after we pulled up to the manor, but Mom was quick to tell him that if he ever spoke to her, or any one of us, ever again, she would have him locked up. Given the power my parents held, Rook could say nothing to fight that. All I could do was flash him an extremely apologetic look as my mother dragged me into the manor.

Rook was stopped at the door by guards and told to vacate the premises immediately. That was the last I saw of him. Mom dragged me to the study and shoved me inside, then the door slammed, and the lock clicked into place.

“Stay there until I get your father!”

Never had I seen Mom so angry. She was always the gentle one, the more understanding one, but something about this had made her explode so much and I couldn’t work out why.

My chest ached as my heart had been racing ever since she burst in on me and Rook. An ache squeezed through my temple, so I dropped into the nearest chair and rested my head in my hands.

Fuck. Fuck.

Pulling out my phone, I quickly sent a text to Melanie telling her everything had exploded, then I opened up my messages to Rook. Sadly, nothing I could think of at the moment sounded good enough. Was there anything I could say that could make this right? Would he stand by me through it, or would he see this as too much of a hassle?

Plus… I was pregnant.

Straightening up, I placed one hand on my abdomen and stared down. How could there be a baby growing inside me? I was due my period any day now, but my cycle had never been regular. I hadn’t used protection with Rook because I was on the pill, but the hospital wouldn’t lie.

I had his baby inside me. A tiny mix of the two of us.

Raised voices drifted through the locked door. I tried to regulate my breathing and think of what to say to my father when he inevitably came to see me, but I had nothing.

Why did I have to defend myself for having a relationship? I was an adult. I didn’t need to explain anything to anyone.

Suddenly, the door to the study flew open and my father charged inside. His face was twisted and purple.

“Is it true?” He bellowed so loud that every hair on my arms jumped up. “Did you fuck Hugo?”

My mind froze for a moment. He’d been Rook for me for over six months so I clean forgot his real name was Hugo.

“Dad, listen?—”

“Don’t you dare!” He pointed a thick, waving finger at me. “Tell me if it’s true!”

“Why?” I snapped back. “Are you calling Mom a liar?”

“Kitty!” Mom appeared behind Dad and gasped loudly. “Your father is just trying to understand.”

“Understand? By yelling in my face?”

“You—” Dad’s hand curled into a fist and he pressed it firmly to his mouth.

“He’s worried,” Mom said. “And angry. Kitty, we trusted you. Hugo is your father’s friend and I… I know this may be difficult, but if he forced you in any way, then we can make sure?—”

“No!” I exclaimed. “Holy shit! No, he didn’t force me. I was completely willing and eager each time he wanted to fuck me because I felt the same, okay? And I’m an adult. You don’t get a say in this, understand? Who I chose to spend time with and love is my own business, and you don’t get to make these threats to destroy a man’s life just because you can’t handle that I’m not a child anymore!”

“Love?” Dad scoffed. “You know nothing of love .”

Did I say love? I hadn’t noticed, but it was the truth. I knew it, deep down in my soul. Rook saw me. He treated me better than anyone had ever treated me. He cared for me. He saved my life . And now I was carrying his baby.

“Did this start while he was still employed here?” Dad growled.

The yes sat on the tip of my tongue, but I hesitated. Would this get Rook into trouble? I didn’t know anything about their work agreement or contract, but it suddenly felt like any answer I gave would be used against Rook.

“Don’t be foolish, Samuel,” Mom snapped. “It’s clearly been going on for a while if she’s using the word love.” She turned to me, her eyes angrier than I’d ever seen. “Kitty. Your father’s friend? Were there really no nice boys your own age?”

“You’re joking, right?” I snapped. “Dad and his fucking golden spoon have fucked up our reputation so much that half this town wouldn’t even spit on me if I were on fire. Do you think I could get a date? What Rook and I have is… you wouldn’t understand.”

“Of course not,” Dad snapped and his entire body trembled from rage. “I brought him into this house. He was my friend. I gave him our trust, let him into our home, and he repays me by defiling my daughter!”

“Defiling?” I barked out a humorless laugh. “Don’t be so dramatic. I certainly wasn’t a virgin when I first slept with him. Look, I understand that this could look like a betrayal.” I forced a deep breath to try and calm myself. “But you can’t help who you fall for. I’m just… sorry you had to find out this way.”

“God, I can never show myself at the seamstress ever again,” Mom wailed, and she dropped into the seat across from me.

“Honestly, I don’t think Hilda minded.”

“For God’s sake, Kitty. Can you think of anyone but yourself?” Mom snapped, and she surged forward, slapping me sharply across the face. “You are bringing shame on this family!”

My cheek flared hot and I stood abruptly. “Me? I’m bringing shame for having a boyfriend? Do you two even hear yourself? So twisted up on reputation and what other people think in your rich little circles that you don’t even stop to think about how it affects people. Mom, you told me you’d missed the town, and yet you still follow Dad and his misguided plans for this place. You’re both as bad as each other, but I’m the shameful one for having a little sex?”

“He’s your father’s friend,” Mom bit out. “He’s too old for you, never mind everything else. You honestly want to stand there and tell me you have feelings for him?”

“Yes!”

“No, you don’t!” Mom stood. “He saved your life. I understand that, but it’s making you confused.”

“No, it’s not!” I yelled, and tears sprang into my eyes. “I love him! I know how I feel. You don’t get to stand there and tell me how I feel.”

“But I do,” Dad growled out darkly. “He’s fired, and if ever steps foot on this property again, I will have him arrested, do you understand me? See him again, contact him again, entertain him again for even a second, and not only will I send you to stay with your Aunt, but I’ll make sure you never see a penny of your inheritance.”

My gut fell out of my ass and a sickly chill swept up my spine.

“Dad—”

“Do you understand me?”

I couldn’t answer.