I pull back slightly, resting my forehead against his. “I gotta go.”
“Call in tomorrow.”
“I can’t.”
He kisses my neck. “Please. I miss you, mon trésor.”
“What does that mean?”
He kisses my cheek. “It’s French for my treasure. Sorry. Do you not like it?”
“I love it. Do you know French?”
“A little. My family originates from France.”
“How am I just now learning this?”
He shrugs.
“It’s kinda hot when you speak French.”
He smiles. “Je veux être avec toi pour toujours,” he whispers in my ear sending chills down my spine. “Call in tomorrow. I just want more time with you.”
I can’t resist. “Okay.”
Vincent widens his smile and kisses me once more. I slide off his lap and get out of the car.
“Hey, Megan?”
I turn back as he hangs his head out the window. His eyes rove up and down and he looks at me with desire. “You’re sexy as hell.”
I blush, rolling my eyes and reluctantly get inside my car completely drunk on happiness. I laugh at how much I’m smiling, but I can’t help it. Now if only I can dream about Vincent instead of Casper.
I’m supposed to work a few hours before Jonathan and I leave for my dad’s, but instead I meet Vincent at IHOP. He doesn’t ever seem to want me to go to his house, which I wonder if he’s afraid of letting me see his mom or vice versa. Do his parents even know about me? It’s a mystery.
When I arrive, I give him a hug, but he seems distant. He looks exhausted, almost like he’s hungover or something. “What’s wrong?” I ask.
“Kinda left me high and dry last night and now you’re leaving town.”
I’m taken aback. “What?”
“It’s nothing. Come on, let’s eat.”
I hate that he’s upset with me, and I want to make it right. When we get to our table, he stares at the menu. My heart is pounding.
“I’m sorry.” I reach for his hand across the table.
“Where’s your necklace?”
I absently touch my neck. “I left it at home.”
“You don’t like it?”
“No, that’s not it. I’m not used to wearing jewelry and I forgot to put it on.”
He gives me a pointed look. “When a guy gives you a necklace, you wear it, Megan. If you don’t like it, I’ll take it back.”
“I love it. Why are you being like this? I didn’t mean to leave you high and dry last night. I had to go to work.”
“Like always.”
“But it’s true.”
“Was there someone at work that you’d rather spend time with?”
Where is this coming from? Why is he being like this? What have I done? “No. Why would you think that?”
“Well you were in a hurry to get to work and now you’re not wearing your necklace.”
Damn my forgetful memory. “I’m sorry.”
“Just order.”
I swallow hard and the rest of breakfast is awkward and tense. I shouldn’t have forgotten the necklace. I don’t want to bring it to my dad’s, and something happen to it. Last time Vincent acted like this I was going to my dad’s. Does he hate it that much when I leave? He gives me a one-armed hug and tells me goodbye, leaving me completely mystified.
All weekend at my dad’s, the only thing I can think about is Vincent and how I upset him. I haven’t heard from him at all, and I don’t know what to do. I can’t even enjoy myself, and it makes me sad and guilty. I love spending time with my dad, Kim and Olivia, but now I just want to go home so I can see Vincent and hash this out.
“Men and their secrets,” Kim says to me in the car. We’re on our way back from the store and I’ve told her everything that happened. She’s a lot younger than my dad, and maybe that’s why she and I get along so well. She’s only seven years older than me. “They never tell you the whole truth.” I can’t help but wonder if she’s really talking about my dad, but I don’t ask to elaborate.
“I trust Vincent, though. He’s been very truthful to me.” I left out the part where he was addicted to drugs, but who would come out and tell someone that if they didn’t want to be completely honest?
“Well, maybe he has a lot on his mind with his mom.”
“That’s true.” I know it’s probably on his mind constantly, and I don’t think about it because it isn’t happening to me. Guilt falls over me. I haven’t been fair to him. It’s Christmas, and I can’t imagine what it must be like to have a sick mother, not knowing if she’s going to survive. I send a text wishing him a Merry Christmas and letting him know I’m here.
Chapter Twelve
Casper and I laugh and play and chase each other until we collapse breathless in the tall grass. He smiles and leans over me, holding himself up on one elbow. The desired look lingers in his brown eyes. I grab his shirt, pulling him to me, and kiss him. He slides my white top down, exposing my shoulder, and his lips graze against my shoulder to my collarbone. He travels to my neck and the spot behind my ear, his touch hot against my skin.
“I love you,” I whisper. “I’m yours, forever.”
Casper crushes his mouth to mine with an edge to his kiss. His tongue licks my upper lip and he tugs on it with his lips. He kisses my cheek and nibbles my ear. I feel his hand touch my side through my navy dress and it sends a rush of passion throughout me. My fingers curl around the front of his shirt, finding the buttons. I unbutton them and
