“Hadley,” he begins.
“Yes?” I ask after a long beat of silence. “What is it?”
Frank clears his throat uncomfortably.
“I was just wondering…well, how do you feel about what we did this afternoon?” He clears his throat again, and I can’t help but smile at his awkwardness. I take his hand in mine, staring deep into those blue eyes with sincerity.
“I loved it,” I murmur with assurance. “I loved every second of what happened between us because it was amazing. I know that we aren’t supposed to be together for obvious reasons, but Frank, it was so good, and it made me feel very womanly and complete. In fact, I want to do it again.”
I thought that statement would relieve his fears, but instead, he looks even more anxious. The skin surrounding his eyes tightens, and his mouth deepens into a frown.
“What’s wrong?” I ask quickly. “Didn’t you enjoy it too?”
He nods with a pained expression.
“Yes of course, but I don’t think…well, we can’t do that again. We can’t be together anymore.”
“Why not?” I tilt my head, narrowing my eyes. I can already feel a headache coming on as he shifts uncomfortably. Disappointment is already beginning to seep into my bones, and I resent that. Today was such a good day, so why does he have to ruin it now?
Frank stares into my eyes, his expression resolute.
“Isn’t it obvious?” he rasps. “We can’t be together because I’m your uncle.”
I frown.
“You didn’t seem to care too much about that a couple of hours ago when you were fucking me like a bull—”
“Hadley,” he warns in a low voice.
I huff. “I’m just saying that not much has changed in the last few hours, Frank. It was wrong then, but you somehow managed to overlook it. It’s still wrong now, but it’s bothering you? Come on. I think even you can see the contradiction in your actions.”
“Cool it with that attitude of yours,” he rasps roughly, those blue eyes glinting with danger. “Or else.”
I twist my lips as I stare at him, trying to decide whether I want to test him or not. But then I swallow thickly, averting my gaze after a few moments. I can already feel something stirring in the pit of my stomach and I work hard to control my emotions because I want this to work. Even if it’s amoral and illicit, at least I want to try.
“It’s not like we’re biologically related,” I begin again, hating the pleading tone in my voice. “You were adopted by the Renfrews when you were fifteen years old and not even a year later, my mom left the farm and never came back. So you two weren’t even raised together, and are really strangers, not siblings. In fact, how many times have you seen Patricia since she moved out? Maybe once a year? Again, Frank. You’re not really my uncle because you two hardly even count as siblings.”
“That may be true,” he nods jerkily. “But still—”
I cut him off.
“Then it’s okay,” I rush quickly. “Look, I get it. I understand why you’re so hesitant about this. Our relationship isn’t exactly the norm, but who cares? I really like you and I think you really like me too, and right now, that’s all that matters. We’re in the middle of nowhere, and it’s not like anyone’s going to know anyways. So just let go of your concerns and enjoy this for a little bit, okay? It’s okay to relax once in a while, and to take what you really need.”
My handsome lover doesn’t look convinced. In fact, he looks positively pained, and the crease in his brow deepens as his fingers tap on the table with an uncertain rhythm. My heart clenches as nerves overtake my frame. OMG, what if Frank says no? What if he throws me out at this very moment?
Quickly, I stand up and circle the table to sit in the chair beside him, seizing his large hand before pressing a kiss to the knuckles.
“Hey, calm down,” I say in a soft voice. “Let’s brainstorm solutions because you’re obviously on edge. Again, no one has to know this is happening between us, but would it make you feel better if we set a time limit to my stay? That way, there’s an end point for all of this?”
“What?” Frank grunts, surprised.
I nod slowly.
“I think this whole trip has had a surreal quality because there was no end to it. It was like we were moving in a dream. But I think if we set a time limit for how long I’m here, it might help. That way if you really don’t want me after our time is up, then I’ll leave, no questions asked. Would that make the situation more palatable?”
Frank’s broad shoulders slump.
“Hadley—” he sighs.
“Six months,” I say quickly. “Let’s just have a relationship for six months, okay? And then I’ll be out of your hair. You won’t ever have to see me again if you don’t want to, and it’ll be like this never happened.”