Fighting to Be Free (Fighting to Be Free 1)

I gasped and felt the heat flood my face because that was a little kinky. “You’re a pervert,” I scolded, laughing as wriggled my way into my skinny jeans, trying to be seductive because his eyes were trailing over my body slowly as I got dressed.

He shrugged unashamedly, holding out my shirt to me. “What time were you supposed to be home?” he asked.

I winced. “Seven.”

He hissed through his teeth, cringing. “Ouch, she’s gonna chew your ear off. You sure you don’t want to stay here?” he offered, raising one eyebrow looking incredibly convincing.

I sighed. I would actually love to stay here, I loved waking up with Jamie wrapped around me, but I couldn’t. “I can’t, Stud. I have to finish packing and spend some time with my family before tomorrow.”

He nodded looking thoughtful. “Wait here a sec,” he requested, turning and heading off to the bedroom. He came back less than a minute later and held out a thick brown envelope to me. “Pack that in your case, okay? I have some in mine but I don’t want to put it all in one place, that would suck if my luggage went missing,” he said, laughing quietly.

I took the envelope and looked in it curiously, only to see money, hundred dollar bills to be exact.

The bundle of cash was held together with a band that said $10,000 on it. I gasped and looked at him with wide eyes. “Jamie, we agreed not to spend this money,” I protested.

He smiled sheepishly as he took the envelope out of my hand, grabbing my purse from the table and pushing the envelope inside. “Ellie, it’s just money. Please just pack it in your case for me, alright?” he pleaded.

I groaned and stepped forward, putting my face into his chest as I wound my arms around his waist.

“I hate that money.”

He laughed, the sound rumbling through his chest that I was pressed against. “Well maybe the money hates you too, but just pack it, okay?” he requested.

I nodded, knowing that it was no use arguing with him. If I didn’t put it in with my belongings then he’d just put it in with his so we’d end up taking it with us anyway. “Fine.”

“Fine,” he agreed, kissing the top of my head.

I smiled and pulled back, craning my neck to look up at him as his arms wrapped around me too.

His eyes locked on mine and I suddenly remembered how hurt he’d looked when I assumed he’d killed his sister. “Jamie, I’m sorry I jumped to the wrong conclusion about Sophie. I shouldn’t have even considered the fact that you would hurt her, I’m so sorry. I wasn’t thinking straight,” I whispered, looking at him apologetically.

He frowned, a muscle in his jaw twitching. “I wish you hadn’t thought that of me, that hurt a lot,”

he replied, tracing his hand up my back so that it cupped the back of my neck.

I winced and nodded. “I know. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it. So, I’ll pick you up tomorrow lunchtime,” he stated, obviously wanting to change the subject.

I smiled, excitement building inside me because there was just one more sleep. I felt like I was a kid again, I’d been counting down the days since we booked it. It was like I was six years old waiting for Christmas all over again. “So we’re still going?” I checked.

He grinned and kissed my forehead. “First stop, Rome,” he agreed. I couldn’t help the little squeal that escaped my lips and he chuckled as he pushed me away from him gently. “Get out of my place, Little Girl. I have work to do.”

I nodded and took my purse from his outstretched hand, stepping closer and smiling as he bent and kissed my lips softly, just once. The kiss was so sweet and tender that it made me wish it would never end - but unfortunately everything has to end at some point. I took a deep breath as I turned and walked out of the door, trying not to look back because it would make it harder for me to leave for the night if I saw him standing there again. Come tomorrow night I wouldn’t ever have to say goodbye to him for the night again, that thought made my heart squeeze in my chest and a goofy smile to stretch across my face as I headed to my car.

By the time I got home my smile had faded because I’d already seen that I had eight missed calls and four text messages, all from my mom asking where I was and if I was okay. I was in some serious trouble. I gulped as I turned off the engine to my beloved car and looked up at the house.

The downstairs lights were all still on so I knew they were waiting up for me.

I winced as I got out of the car and headed into the house. My mom had obviously heard my car pull up because she was standing in the hallway with her arms folded and an angry look on her face - or maybe she’d just been standing there for three and a half hours waiting to bitch me out, I wouldn’t put that past her to be honest.

I smiled sheepishly. “Hi. Sorry I’m late,” I apologised.

She raised one eyebrow, looking at me accusingly. “Your excuse?”

I knew I couldn’t mention Jamie, she already had enough reservations about us going away together, she’d be even more annoyed if she thought he’d made me late. “The party was fun, I had a lot of people to say bye too. I didn’t realise the time, I’m sorry, Mom.”

She sighed and rolled her eyes. “Your dinner’s ruined,” she stated haughtily.

I nodded, trying to ignore how the smell of the takeout made my stomach ache with hunger. “I figured that, sorry.”

She sighed again, her shoulders loosening as he arms unfolded. “I guess I can see if I can salvage anything from it. Maybe the noodles will heat up nicely,” she suggested, offering me a small smile.