Page 99 of Rebelonging


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It had nothing to do with the size of his house or the opulence surrounding us. It had to do with him. Just him. We clicked in ways that had nothing to do with fame, fortune, or heart-stopping good looks.

It was a tempting offer, and would solve so many of my problems. But part of me was still old-fashioned. Moving in wasn't exactly the offer of my dreams, even if it was pretty spectacular.

Still, I felt myself smile against his chest. "I'll think about it," I said.

"Don't think. Just do it." And then, he pulled away. He looked down at me an expression bordering on desperation.

"You don't want to take money from me," he said. "I get that. And I respect the hell out of that, honest. But baby, please. Come on. Stay with me. Or shit, I'll buy you a house of your own if that's what you want. Just no more other guys anymore, alright?"

I felt my eyebrows furrow. "What do you mean?"

"I mean," he said, "I love you."

"I love you too."

He reached out, gathering me into his arms once again. I felt his grip tighten and heard his voice, a low whisper in my ear. "You don't have to sell yourself anymore. From now on, letmetake care of you, alright?"

Slowly, his words sank into my brain. I felt myself stiffen. I pulled back and gave him a hard look. "Sell myself?"

Chapter 50

He leaned close, trying once again to pull me into his arms. I pushed away and looked up at him. "Just what are you implying?" I asked.

"Baby," he said. "I don't want to judge you. I mean, the things I've done for money–" He blew out a breath. "In a way, I guess I sold my body too, right?"

Slowly the pieces started to click. And once they did, they clicked so hard and so fast that I had a hard time staying upright. "Oh my God," I said, stepping away from him.

"Hey," he said, his voice filled with sympathy. "Like I said, I don't wanna judge you for doing what you had to do, but—" He shook his head. "It stops now, alright? You've gotta promise me."

I closed my eyes, feeling all the color drain from my face. When I opened them again, he was staring at me with a look of such pity, I wanted to slap that look right off his face, and then kick him in the balls for good measure.

"Let me get this straight," I said. As I stared up at him, my body trembled, and my voice rose. "You think—" I felt myself swallow. "You think I'm some kind of hooker?"

"Chloe." His voice was soft. "I didn't call it that."

"But that's what you think?" I stumbled backwards. Breathing hard, I pushed my hands through my hair. It was official. This daywasa nightmare.

"Baby," he said. "What is it? You okay?"

I glared up at him. "Okay?" I shook my head. "Nope. Definitely not okay here."

I cupped my hands around my mouth and hollered toward the interior of the house. "Chucky! C'mon! We're leaving!"

"What?" He reached for my hand. "Why?"

I slapped the hand away. "Don't touch me."

"Why not?"

"Because, you idiot, I'm not ahooker." I spoke very slowly and clearly, enunciating every word. "I'm ahouse-sitter!"

His jaw dropped. "What?"

"Oh yeah." When I tried to laugh, it came out half-crazed. "Big difference there, huh?" I turned away and shouted out again, "Chucky, where are you?"

With muttered curses, I stalked toward the kitchen. I felt a hand on my elbow. I shook it off and whirled to face him. "I already told you, stay away from me!"

Lawton stared at me with a pained expression. "So those guys–"