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They’d claimed to own a software company but had to know I wouldn’t understand what that vague term meant. Was it possible Nora spoke the truth?
And what did she care about my engaging in supposed unnatural sexual acts? We hadn’t actually been raised by religious, homophobic parents, but with how Nora focused on science and the means of populating the earth…
Still.
My forehead dented with a frown. “There’s nothing wrong with loving two people,” I finally spouted off one of the things flitting around in my brain like a sparrow.
“Love, is it?” she asked, an eyebrow rising while her lips continued to frown. “It’s a little soon for that, I’m afraid. It’s more an obsession with their lifestyle, their money. But I’ll admit this unwise decision landed you in a pretty cushy place for a change. It won’t last though, same as when you chose to date what’s-his-name back home.” She shrugged and glanced over me a second time as I fought to stay still beneath her scrutiny. “But this time, you won’t just get cheated on. You’ll end up pregnant, tossed out on your backside, and begging to return to the farm.”
I clutched my mug of coffee, even though I burned to toss the cooling liquid in her face. “Never in a million years,” I hissed.
“When all this freedom lands you in a heap of trouble, don’t bother calling me for help. I’ll let Mom and Dad know to expect you.” Nora spun on her heel and strode away with all the confidence in the world, same as always.
Damn stick up her ass too with how straight her back stayed.
My shoulders rounded, but I couldn’t help having the last word. “I’ll never ask you for anything ever again!” I slammed the door and shook with the adrenaline coursing through my system. “Bitch!” I hollered—and burst into tears.
Damn hormones.
Damn sister.
Damn insecurity!
I scurried up the stairs, threw open my bedroom door, landed on my bed, and screamed into my pillow.
Warm arms wrapped around me, tugging me against a hard body. I didn’t need to open my eyes to know it was Ashton. I clung to him and sobbed, wishing I could burrow into his chest and live in his heart forever.
He accepted me. He loved me.
And fuck everyone else—I would do anything within my power to keep him.
“What is it, Sky?” he murmured against my hair when I finally quieted.
“Nora showed up.”
He stiffened, his hands on my back stilling in their soothing motion of rubbing my spine. “What did she want?”
“My parents sent her to check on me,” I replied, sounding as miserable as I felt. “She said some awful things.”
Ashton tightened his hold on me.
“She told me that you and Rhett made Missing Link and that you use it to sleep with women all the time.” I held my breath, praying he would deny her words.
“Well, we did create the app, and yes, we’ve met women because of it, but our intentions were pure. Like I told you during our first conversation, neither of us are interested in playing games. If a match didn’t gel, we sent them on their way.”
“I don’t gel,” I muttered, my eyelids clenched shut as I pressed my face against his tear-dampened chest.
“I beg to differ.”
I snorted.
“Maybe not with Rhett,” Ashton agreed, “but I haven’t given up hope.”
I pulled back to peer into his sleepy eyes. “Even after how he treated me last night? Look, I don’t want to push you one way or another—” I hastened to spew some thoughts as they raced through my head “—but I don’t know how long I can put up with his negativity. He hurt me last night. Bad. And I wasn’t one bit sad he left and didn’t share our bed.”
“He’s not downstairs?” Ashton asked, and I shook my head. “Shit.” He rolled onto his back, rubbing a hand over his face.
I hated that I cared—and more words spilled out. “Where would he have gone last night after the party?”