He looked at me with expectation, waiting for me to agree with him. I was still worried, but I didn’t want to rain on his parade. After all, there was nothing I could do if he’d already made up his mind.
“I understand. I’ll support your decision.”
A bright smile decorated his face a moment before he pulled me in for a kiss. My lips parted instantly, my hands reaching out to him as our tongues met. I poured all my feelings into this kiss, knowing this could very well be one of our last moments together. Warmth spread through every single part of me, contrasting the increasing cold in my chest that reminded me I could very well end up without a job. And Bryce.
I wanted him to be happy. I truly did. But was there a place for me in his new life?
He pushed me against the counter and pressed his already hard dick against my mound, and I moaned into his mouth.
“I want you,” he muttered into my lips before he kissed me again, this time moving more urgently.
Just as I pulled him against me, completely forgetting where we were, someone cleared their throat.
Just great. The humiliation of the year.
I was beet red when I stepped away from Bryce
and met Ruth’s gaze, her brows arched high in surprise. She was the first to break the silence.
“It’s time for presents, kids.” She winked at us and left the kitchen, acting like she was completely cool with us kissing like this.
Bryce rolled his eyes. “You look… uncomfortable.”
I smacked his shoulder playfully. “Yeah? Well, having your mother catch us in the middle of a heated kiss isn’t something usual, you know?”
His only response was laugh as he led me out of the kitchen. I told myself to relax and try to enjoy this time with his parents to the fullest. Maybe—just maybe—things could turn out right after all.
13
Bryce
I had no idea why Chloe had been standoffish since yesterday. I thought we’d had a great time with my parents—she even managed to relax and act as her usual self after our conversation in the kitchen—but I was apparently wrong.
After we returned to our hotel last night, I wanted to make love to her, ready to ask her to be my girlfriend, for real this time, but she refused me, saying she didn’t feel well. She went to sleep early, barely exchanging a few words with me.
Her excuse not to sleep with me didn’t sound plausible, but I gave her the benefit of the doubt, expecting her to go back to her old self next morning. However, she proved me wrong when we got up and started packing, being all distant and unresponsive.
We were flying home, and all this time she was quiet and in her own head. I wanted to start a conversation with her, but I didn’t know how. She was nervous because of her fear of flying, and it bothered me that she didn’t even allow me to help her and reduce her anxiety.
Clearing my throat, I turned my head to look at her. “Chloe?”
She was gazing through the window, not moving an inch. “Yes?”
I clenched my jaw, wishing she would at least look at me. “I’m worried about you. Talk to me.”
She didn’t respond immediately, glancing at the book that was in her lap. “I’m fine. Don’t worry about me.”
“How do I not worry about you when we barely spoke today? You’ve been acting weird since yesterday, so don’t tell me you’re fine. You aren’t fine.”
She still wasn’t looking at me, and it was starting to piss me off. “Is this because of my decision? You’re afraid you’re going to lose your job?”
She met my gaze at last, maintaining her blank expression. “We already talked about this yesterday, Bryce. I told you I’m supporting your decision, so what more do you want?”
I winced, taken about with her bitterness. Something was definitely off. “What more do I want? I want you to stop acting like a sulking teenager and talk with me. We’re adults, Chloe. So we should talk about this.”
She crossed her arms. “There is nothing we should talk about.”
“Do you even hear yourself? Are you really leaving me with no explanation? You’ve been distant since yesterday, so don’t tell me everything is fine. If you’re angry with me, say it.”