Chapter 14—Darian

“That should do it,” Noah said, stepping back to admire his handiwork.

I nodded and thanked him again for his help. Heather and Corrine watched us from where they sat on the couch. I winked at Heather, loving how her cheeks flushed. Telling Noah to bring Corrine had been a stroke of genius. Since Heather had reconciled with Corrine, she’d been glowing, and I loved that she was so happy. That’s all I wanted—for her to be happy. And for me to be the guy who always put that smile on her face.

“So, Heather.” Noah turned to his daughter. “Darian was telling me that it will be another week or so before your car is finished. If you want, you can come home with us”—he nodded at Corrine—“and I can get you set up with a rental.”

The smile faded from Heather’s face, and she looked at me as if asking me what she should do. I wanted her to speak up and tell him about us, but I knew from the look in her eyes that she was as terrified as I was about Noah’s reaction. I cleared my throat. “Actually, Noah, about that…I—”

“I’m not going home with you, Dad,” Heather interrupted. She stood slowly and crossed the room to stand next to me. “I’m staying here.”

“Excuse me?” Noah crossed his arms, his gaze locked on her. “I don’t think so, young lady. It was fine for a day or two, and necessary with the storm, but you staying here any longer is out of the question. Go get your stuff.”

“No,” she said, her voice loud and firm, which shocked the hell out of me. Not that I didn’t know Heather could be tough when she needed to be, but I hadn’t expected her to stand up to her father so forcefully. “I’m staying here. With Darian.” She slipped her arm around my back, and I instinctively drew her closer, putting my arm around her shoulders.

I saw the realization flash in Noah’s eyes, and my body tensed in preparation for whatever he might say or do. He glared at me. “You and my daughter?” he said slowly, each word spoken deliberately, as if he were trying to change the truth of the situation.

“Yes.”

“I don’t fucking think so.” Noah balled his hands into fists at his sides, and my gaze dropped to those fists, fully expecting one of them to come at my face any second. Instead, he pointed in my face. “Get your goddamn hands off her. And you”—he turned to point at Heather—“get your shit. We’re leaving. Now!”

Heather stepped in front of me, putting herself between me and her father. “No, Dad.” She shook her head. “I care about Darian, and I want to be with him. There’s nothing you can say or do to change that.”

I was so proud of her in that moment, the way she stood up to him and fought for what she wanted. I put my hands on her shoulders and gave them a reassuring squeeze, letting her know I was with her a hundred percent.

“You told me you’d keep an eye on her, that you’d protect her,” Noah said through clenched teeth. “But the entire time, you just wanted her here so you could…you could what? Use her for your own selfish reasons? That’s my daughter, Darian.”

“All right, that’s enough.” I could handle his anger and disappointment. Hell, I deserved it, but I would not allow him to turn what I had with Heather into something cheap and disgusting. “You have every right to be pissed, but you are not going to stand there and accuse me of using your daughter for sex. That’s crossing the line.”

He laughed bitterly. “Crossing the line? You’re fucking my daughter, and I’m the one crossing the line?” He stabbed his finger at his chest. “She came to you for help, and you took advantage of her. You’re a fucking asshole.”

Oh, hell no. I guided Heather behind me, wanting to shield her from her father’s wrath. Then I stepped up and got in Noah’s face. “I did not take advantage of her, and if I ever hear you say anything like that again, we’re going to have some real serious problems.”

“Noah,” Corrine said softly, taking hold of his arm and trying to pull him back. “Calm down.”

“No, I will not calm down.” He jerked away from her grasp. “She’s a child, Darian. How dare you!”

“Dad!” Heather shouted, silencing both of us. “I am not a child. I’m an adult, and I can make my own decisions.” She slipped her hand into mine, the feel of her soft, delicate touch calming me. I laced our fingers and squeezed gently. “And you are the last person who should be judging us. In case you forgot, you’re sleeping with my best friend.”

At that, Noah took a step back, shock and defeat coloring his expression. I felt bad for him. I knew he wanted the best for his daughter, and he didn’t think a man twice her age was good enough for her. As a parent, I got that. But I knew there wasn’t another man on the face of this earth that would care for her like I did.

“I’m sorry, Dad.” Heather released my hand and approached Noah. “You want me to accept your relationship with Corrine, then you’re going to have to accept the fact that I’m with Darian.”

He shook his head. “No. This is completely different.”

“No, it’s not.”

“Yes, it is!” she said.

“Arguing with me isn’t going to change the facts, Heather.”

“No? Then what will? Because I’m not doing anything different than you are. You’re dating a girl half your age, but it’s suddenly wrong when I date a guy older than me? You’re such a hypocrite.”

I didn’t have to see her face to know she was crying. I took several deep breaths to calm myself.

“God, he’s got you so fucking brainwashed that you can’t see how this will ruin your life,” he said, shaking his head.

“Brainwashed?” I let the word settle on my tongue. “Are you fucking kidding me?”

Heather ran from the room and went upstairs. I gritted my teeth. “I think it’s time you leave,” I said, not bothering to show them out. They knew the way. Then I went to find Heather. She was in my room, curled up on my bed, hugging my pillow to her chest. Without a word, I pulled her onto my lap and cradled her against my chest.

“He’s such a fucking hypocrite,” she said through tears.

“I know.” I stroked her hair and kissed the top of her head. “Give him some time.” But I was afraid no amount of time would help Noah accept our relationship, not with the accusations he was throwing around. He’s damn lucky I didn’t knock him the fuck out for some of the shit he said. Taking advantage of her? Using her? Brainwashing her? My blood was boiling.

“I’m sorry.”

“For what?” I said harsher than I intended. I put my finger under her chin and tilted her head so I could see her face. “You didn’t do anything wrong, Heather.”

“I ruined your friendship with my dad.” Her lips trembled.

“Oh, baby.” I held her to my chest. “Do not blame yourself for that. Noah and I will be fine.” We may not have the same type of friendship we had before, but I didn’t believe this was the end, either. But knowing she was blaming herself… I closed my eyes and rested my cheek on top of her head. I’d do anything to take away her pain. If anything, I should be the one apologizing. I knew how much her father meant to her, and I was the thing tearing them apart. Her breath hitched on a sob, and I held her tighter. God, I wanted to give her the world. I wanted her to have everything she ever wanted, but selfishly, I knew I’d never be able to that if it meant I couldn’t be in her life. And I was scared to death that was the only way to make things right.

“Darian?” she whispered, her lips puckering against my throat. “Make love to me. Please.” She grabbed the back of my neck and pulled my mouth to hers.

I laid her on the bed and spent the night showing her exactly how much I wanted her. Needed her. And I knew, no matter what the cost, I couldn’t be without her. I’d fight for her—for us—until my dying breath.

###

Two weeks passed since we’d told everyone about our relationship. Heather spoke to Corrine daily, who assured her that Noah was slowly coming around. Nathan had taken the news a lot better than I’d expected. He was shocked at first, but then he easily accepted it, stating he could deal with it as long as he didn’t have to hear us having sex. That could potentially be a problem considering it was my mission to make her scream my name every time I was buried inside of her. Although, she was doing a damn good job giving it back to me, and she’d made me moan so damn loud last night, I was surprised the neighbors didn’t hear me.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” I asked for the millionth time. It was the grand opening of the botanical gardens, and the night that Noah was being honored for his contributions to Haven’s Creek. He’d been on my case about attending, but I was pretty sure he didn’t want me there now.

“Probably not, but we have to do it.” Heather stood in a sleek, black floor-length gown with a slit clear up to her hip. Her tits were pushed up temptingly, and her already long, gorgeous legs seemed miles longer thanks to the heels she wore.

“You realize all I’m going to be able to think about tonight is peeling that dress off you.” I stood behind her and brushed my lips across the back of her neck. “Kissing every inch of your beautiful body.” I cupped the side of her face and turned her to meet my lips. “Burying my cock in you until you beg me to stop.”

She smiled against my mouth. “When have I ever begged you to stop?” She twisted to face me and wrapped her arms around my neck.

“Never.” I grinned.

Laughing, she pushed me away. “I know tonight will probably be uncomfortable, but I know my dad would want me there.”

“Yes, he will.” I had no doubts about that.

“And I don’t know if I’d be able to forgive myself if I didn’t go.”

“Hey,” I took her face into my hands, “you don’t have to explain yourself to me. If you want to go, we’ll go. But we’d better go now because I’m seconds away from tossing you on the bed and ruining this dress.”

“Who’s the nympho now?” she teased.

“It’s not my fault your body is my personal heaven.” I winked then took her hand. It was time to face her father. Again.