Uncontrollable Bachelor (Bachelor Tower Series), стр. 18
My mind was lost somewhere between heaven and home and I didn’t want it to ever end. Slowly my body floated back to reality. With Jace lying beside me, I rolled onto my side, and he did the same, spooning me.
The words wanted to come out, but I had nothing left. I needed to close my eyes, just for a few minutes. We could talk later. More than likely the night would be filled with making love. Words would only spoil what had so far been a perfect night.
And I want to make every moment of it count.
I knew tomorrow things could go back to how they were before. Until then, I was going to make as many sweet new memories as I could. Just in case they need to last me a lifetime.
As I closed my eyes, I realized how incredible this was. Just a few days ago, making love to Jace again was only in my deepest dreams. Who knew dreams actually could come true?
Chapter 7
Shannon
Waking up in Jace’s arms was a high I thought would last all day. Unfortunately, that meant the crash was twice as hard. He dropped me off back at home on his way to work. Why did my father have to decide to go into work late today? The one day I just wanted to go to my room and enjoy the warmth that lingered within me.
Instead I was sitting at the dining room table getting questioned as though I was still a teenager.
“Not even a call. I have been worried sick that something happened to you. Why didn’t you answer your phone?” my father snapped.
“I had shut it off. And I’m not used to having to tell anyone if I want to stay out all night.” When I’m overseas, there isn’t anyone to answer to except for the unit I’m with, in case there’s an emergency.
“I don’t want to hear about you being an adult. You are living under my roof and I expect certain things, such as you coming home at night,” he stated. “This is not up for discussion.”
This was too much for me. The timing wasn’t good, either. I had no idea what was making him act like this. Did he know I was out with Jace? I knew my father didn’t like him back when we dated years ago, but why would he carry this type of resentment for so long? It’s not like Jace had dumped him or broken his heart. It was me who was left crushed and broken.
“What do you have against Jace? He’s not a bad guy,” I said defensively.
Ralph raised a brow, then his face turned beet red. “Jace Goldstein? You were with him last night?” he snarled.
Fuck. If that wasn’t why he was so pissed, I had no idea what had set him off. But whatever it was, it seemed to have slipped his mind. Under normal circumstances, I would ask, but right now, I didn’t want to rile him up more.
Taking a deep breath, I replied, “Yes. We’ve been talking for the last few days and --”
“Spent the night together?” he said with disgust.
If I was sixteen, I could understand why he was so upset. Not at thirty. I nodded. There was no point in denying it. I wasn’t embarrassed of what Jace and I had done. Hell, it was an amazing night, one that I’ll never forget. Until moments ago, my body still tingled from all the good loving he gave me. None of that could be shared, not even with Betsy, who would just love to hear all the details.
If I wasn’t careful, this conversation could easily turn into a yelling match. There was no reason for it escalate to such a level, and certainly not over something as simple as my sex life. There were many more important things we could fight about. Softening my tone, and trying not to sound defensive, I said, “I can’t say it enough. I’m not a child. My personal life is just that – personal. I wish you could respect that.”
All I wanted was my father’s love. Maybe it was because he’d had to raise me alone, and being a single father, he didn’t know how to talk to a girl. His way of showing love was actually just controlling every detail of my life. Ever since I was a teenager, we’d been in a constant battle. The whole reason I went to college so far away was for some privacy. It worked out well, though – I’m doing something I actually love. Providing medical care for the children who need it most is incredibly fulfilling. Of course, he sees it as a hobby, because I’m never going to get rich by donating my time. Nothing I do will ever be right in his book. I’m tired of trying.
I needed to stand my ground, or risk slipping back into a father-daughter pattern I’d never been happy with. He hadn’t spoken, and the silence was growing uncomfortable. “If you have an issue with that, then…maybe I should move out.”
I’d never challenged him like this before. Normally I’d cave and let him believe he won. Then I would sneak off and live the life I wanted anyway. It took too much energy to play games. I was who I wanted to be, and I didn’t want to change. Not for him or anyone else.
I waited, arms crossed. Your move. Either he could accept what I said, or I would leave, move out. At this point, I didn’t care which he chose. I wish I did.
He got up from his seat and walked over to me. The anger hadn’t diminished, but when he spoke, his words were gentle. “I might not like your choice, but that doesn’t change the fact that you’re my daughter.”
“Thank you,” I said softly. I could tell