Midnight Ballerina (32 page)

“I already got some, but this girl can never have enough.”

“I figured.” He got back onto the highway, clearing his throat once we were on the road and turning down the radio. “So, are you going to tell me what Carter gave you to think about?”

I sighed, knowing that he would ask eventually, but I still wasn’t sure how to answer him. I guess I should just start with the truth. “Carter has some crazy idea in his head that I need to give him a chance, that there might be a possibility of something happening between us again. He wants me to think about it.”

I looked sideways at Miller and he shifted in his seat, his jaw working tightly, before he finally spoke. “Well, how nice of him. He didn’t realize what he had when you were together then, is that it?”

“We were in high school, Miller. Carter was so immature back then.”

“Still sounds like he is,” Miller muttered and I laughed, having to agree that he was probably right. “So have you thought about it?”

“Not really.” I shook my head. “And I don’t think I’m going to. It’s stupid really. I don’t know why Carter thinks I’m going to drop everything in my life just because he realized he’s in love with me. I’m pretty happy with where I am right now.”

“Good.” He reached over to scoop up my hand, kissing each of my fingers. “Because I am too. There’s no place I’d rather be.”

“I’M SO GLAD you’re here,” my mom commented for about the hundredth time since I arrived yesterday. We were currently cooking dinner for the family—well, my mom was cooking and I was sitting at the table watching her. I could see Miller where he was sitting in the living room, quietly talking to my dad. My dad and I were a lot alike, he wasn’t much of a people person. Miller wasn’t either, I guess, but they seemed to be getting along pretty well, which was a good thing.

“Is Carter coming over for dinner, honey?”

“No,” I answered, obviously a little too quickly, because my mom turned from where she was stirring something on the stove and gave me one of those all-knowing Mom looks.

“So I’m guessing he told you about him and Annie? I knew you would be upset.” She said, as she sat down at the table next to me.

“You did?” I asked surprisingly. “I still haven’t figured out why I am.”

“Monroe, you two were best friends, you told each other everything and then you started up a relationship beyond friends in high school. I know things weren’t ever serious, but I’m sure you still have some kind of feelings floating around in there. Poor Annie, though. She never stood a chance with that boy and then she started blabbing to everyone that she was pregnant even before she went to the doctor. I think she figured they would start their relationship back up since she was pregnant. I think he’s always been in love with you though. He just didn’t realize it until then.”

“Well, I’m with Miller.”

“I know, he’s such a nice young man. I was a little nervous when you first told me that you were dating your boss. I was picturing an old man with greying hair. I can’t you tell how relieved I was when I saw him get out of the truck.”

I laughed as she got back up and went back to work in the kitchen. “I’ve never had a thing for old men, Mom. Miller and I are five years apart, so that’s still a little bit of a difference, but I don’t really notice it too much.”

“Well, you’ve always been so mature for your age, Monroe. That really doesn’t surprise me. Can you set the table, sweetie? Jackson won’t be home since he’s out with friends but Holland should be over in a bit.”

“Sure.” I got up and began pulling out plates, loving that comforting feeling of being at home, I knew where everything was and it just felt good. I still didn’t really feel that way about my apartment, even after living there for the almost three years. It was more of just a place to sleep.

“Have you talked to Miller about your issues?” my mom asked in a low voice once I was standing right next to her.

“My issues?” My eyebrows raised and she swatted me with her towel.

“You know what I mean, Roe. If you two are going to get serious, it might be something you want to talk to him about. Since he is older than you, it might be on his mind more than you think. Now, if you were with Carter, I would tell you not to worry about it for a while since we know boys are much less mature than girls, just look at your brother, but you might want to consider it. I see the way he looks at you, Monroe. He’s already in love, even if he hasn’t said it.”

It seemed like the feeling of love was pretty mutual, even though neither one of us had said it. I was guessing it was probably due to the issues with his mom. Tanner had mentioned Miller’s black heart on more than one occasion, and he even told me that he’d never heard those three words uttered out of Miller’s mouth before, even to his mamaw. I wasn’t worried about it. Our relationship was pretty new and even if he didn’t say it, he showed it to me in plenty of ways, by just making me feel special all the time.

But my mom was right. Miller had already mentioned having kids someday, multiple times. If things were really going to get serious between us, I needed to talk to him because it could be a deal breaker. Between that, and this mess going on with Carter, it sure didn’t feel like I was having any kind of break right now.

Miller chose that very moment to come into the kitchen, so I didn’t have to answer my mom and it took my mind off of things. He helped me finish setting the table and we both offered to help my mom with dinner but she shooed us out of the kitchen. Dad was asleep on the couch, so I made a beeline for my room, pulling Miller behind me and not letting go until we were both collapsed onto my tiny twin bed. My mom was convinced that the both of us couldn’t fit in here comfortably, so she squeezed an air mattress into the small room that I had once shared with Holland. She also told us that she expected no funny business to be going on. There was never anything funny about the business that happened between Miller and me in the bedroom, so I had no problem telling her that wouldn’t happen.

“Your parents seem pretty nice,” Miller remarked as he stroked my hair and I turned sideways to curl my body against his.

“They are pretty nice.” I propped my head up on one hand, sliding my other underneath his t-shirt. “And I think they like you just about as much as I do.”

“Well, I hope not
that
much.” He smirked as he reached down and pushed my hand away, instead lacing his fingers with mine. “Remember what your mom said. Try to keep your hands to yourself. I know it’s hard, but your parents are in the other room.”

I frowned and he kissed my lips. “Don’t pout, even though you do look pretty sexy.”

“But dinner’s not for a little while longer, we have plenty of time. You know, I was always the good kid growing up. I think I
need
to break the rules. Don’t you want to help me?”

I batted my eyelashes at him, and he sucked in a sharp breath when my hand landed on the front of his jeans this time and I gave a good squeeze.

“Well, I guess if you really want to break some rules, I can help you out.” He stopped talking after that and I threw one leg over his as he devoured my mouth. Licking and nipping, until finally our tongues met in an art we’ve seemed to perfect together. “Is this enough rule breaking?” he said into my mouth and I shook my head, pushing my leg over further so I was straddling him, and he was looking up at me with an amused smile. “What if your parents walk in?”

“I locked the door.”

“Oh, so you were planning this?”

“I was hoping.” I dropped down so our faces were inches apart and he reached up, pushing a strand of hair out of my eyes.

“Then I guess I can help you keep breaking ‘em.” He quickly rolled our bodies over, so he was on top, and I laughed.

“You always have to be in control, don’t you?”

“Most of the time,” he replied before pushing his body hard against mine, and I forgot about everything else, half-delirious as his rough hands slid up my sweater dress, and he sucked eagerly on the side of my neck. “This is gonna be quick. Try not to scream.” The hoarseness of his voice sent shivers down my spine and made my thighs squeeze together in anticipation.

I felt my panties being yanked down and heard his buckle being undone, and then he was hovering over me once again. His fingers landed in-between my thighs, pumping in and out a few times, before he lowered himself down and rubbed the tip of himself against my entrance and then rammed in the rest of the way.

I bit down hard on my lip, trying not to make any noise, as I wrapped my legs tightly around his waist. Miller smirked at me before covering my mouth was his, muffling any sound that came out. The bed that I remembered having since I was a little girl squeaked and Miller must’ve noticed too, because he suddenly stopped and picked me up, carrying me until I was backed against the wall. He pushed right back into me so quickly my head was spinning, and cupped my ass as I held on for the ride. I was mentally screaming his name on the inside as he relentlessly pounded away. I raked my nails across his back, digging them in, which only led him to speed up his pace, possessive, as he continued going faster and rougher than ever before.

“You’re mine,” he breathed out hoarsely against my neck and that was my undoing as I completely became unraveled and fell harder than I ever had before.

“ARE YOU SURE you really have to go, Miller? It would be so nice if you could stay with us for the holidays. You’ve been such a gentleman to have around.”

Miller grinned wickedly in my direction before turning back to my mom, who was all but trying to physically keep Miller in our house. She was head over heels in love with him after he spent only two days with us. I didn’t want him to leave either, but I knew he had to get back to his own busy life.

“It was a pleasure to meet you both,” he said, turning on that southern charm as he hugged my mom and shook my dad’s hand.

“Same here, Miller. Feel free to come back anytime. Monroe’s all yours whenever you want her,” my dad replied gruffly and I rolled my eyes.

“Gee, thanks for letting him have me,” I grumbled.

Miller winked at me. “I’m sure we all know how independent Monroe can be, so probably not
whenever
I want.” I shivered at the double meaning, wishing my parents weren’t here for our goodbyes, but I thought it would be a little rude to tell them to get the hell out of their own house.

Miller hugged me, kissing my forehead once before he pulled away. “Be careful driving, pull over if you get tired, and call me. Multiple times,” I demanded and he laughed.

“Don’t worry, I will.”

“Hey,” he called with his hand on the front door, about to leave me even though I wasn’t ready. At all. “I left something in your room for you. Don’t open it until I’m gone. Okay?”

“Sure.” I twitched in place, already wondering what in the hell it could be, and Miller knew me because he paused again, smiling as he watched me. “Okay, you can go now.”

“Oh, now you want me out of here? Before you didn’t want to leave. You’re breakin’ my heart.” He clutched his chest and I stepped forward, kissing his cheek while pushing on his shoulder at the same time.