They were quiet for a few minutes.
“I want to talk to you,” he said.
Larkin
stiffened and looked up at him. “Okay.”
“First, tell me about your dreams or how you see your future.”
A frown puckered her brow. She and Brylee had talked about their futures, but all they wanted to do was be together. They also talked about moving away to a smaller town. She decided to talk about the near future and the plans she’d started to make recently.
“Well, I haven’t thought that far ahead. I was going to talk to Brylee. I have a roommate who hates me for some reason, and so living with her is uncomfortable.”
“Why does she hate you?”
“Monica said she’s jealous, but I’m not sure that’s it. She’s fine with the other two, just not with me.”
“Okay, go on,” he encouraged.
“I was going to ask Brylee if she thought I could get a job as a waitress at the strip joint, and then we’d move in togeth—”
“What?” he barked and tightened his arms when she flinched. “I’m sorry. I just didn’t expect that. I don’t like even the thought of that.”
She looked up at his expression and shivered. If the look on his face was any indication, he hated the thought with a passion. “Listen, it pays good money, and I’d be with Brylee…”
“Larkin, wait.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Okay, I’m just going to come out with it.” He took a breath. “I want you to quit your job and move in with me and let me take care of you.”
“Like a daddy, like what you talked about?”
“Yes.”
“Oh, wow.” Larkin relaxed back against him as her thoughts scattered, leaving her unable to say anything at that moment. “What happens when you get sick of me?” she asked.
“I won’t.”
“You don’t know that.”
He nodded. “Yes, I can. You’re everything I’ve ever wanted. I’ll do anything to make you happy, so you’ll stay.”
“What if I irritate you?”
“I’ll just spank your ass.”
Her body jolted.
He chuckled.
“What about Brylee? Would I be able to see her?”
“As much as you want. She can even have her own room here for when she visits.”
“What about all my stuff?”
“I’d have movers go and pack it up and bring it here.”
“What about the rent? They needed all four of us to afford the place. If I leave without a subletter, they would be mad.”
“How long before your lease is up?”