The Last Boss' Daughter

"I've told you enough," he states.

I guess he has, but I ask quietly, "My mom?"

He brushes my hand away and sits up, moving to get out of bed.

I follow, putting a hand in his shoulder. "Okay, I'll stop asking. Stay here and cuddle me."

"I should bring in some more wood," he tells me.

I wrap my arms around his shoulders from behind, and leave a trail of light kisses along his back. "I think there's enough wood."

"In case I'm delayed and you get stuck here for a while, I need to bring in more."

I sit back on my heels. "Is there a good chance that might happen?"

"No, but I want you to be prepared in case."

"So show me where the wood is and I'll bring it in myself if it does," I reason.

Seeming to accept that alternative, he scoots back on the bed. I follow him back in the bed and curl up beside him, pulling the covers over us and basking in his warmth.

"What will you do at the beach house?" I ask him.

"You," he answers, catching my hand and pressing a kiss to my palm.

"Mm, I like the sound of that," I tell him with a grin. "What will I do?"

"Me."

I laugh as he kisses his way up my arm. "I'm serious."

"We'll figure it out once we get settled in. We won't need to work right away. I figure we'll enjoy it for a while, then as long as we both like it, we'll start putting a life together." He stops kissing me, but keeps his hand entwined with mine. "When we leave, we'll be on our own. Just the two of us and whatever we make ourselves."

"Sounds amazing."

"If something changes and you don't like it, don't be afraid to tell me. I'll help you set something up for yourself."

"Trying to get rid of me already?" I tease.

He remains serious. "You've had to depend on others your whole life. You don't anymore. If something changes for you, I don't want you to feel trapped again. I'm not another Paul or Pietro. You're not stuck and you never will be."

Frowning slightly, I say, "I wish you weren't so convinced you're going to scare me off."

"Not convinced. Just making sure you’re aware of your options."

"Well, thank you. I think."

He holds me for a while. It's quiet and peaceful. His hand is still in mine, the other lightly moving up and down the area around my shoulder. I want to know what he's thinking, but I doubt he would tell me if I asked.

Turns out, I don't have to.

"Are you close to your brother and sister?"

It's maybe the last question I expected from him.

"Uh... no, not really. I mean, I'm sure they're fine, but obviously I have strained relationships with both of their parents, and that's putting it lightly. We never really got a chance to develop any kind of relationship." I pause a couple seconds. "Do you have siblings?"

"Ryder."