Read Online Sinful Desires Vol. 2 by M. S. Parker - Free Book Online

how the other half lives.”
    I didn't need her to say the other part of the statement. I knew it already. Before you go back to where you belong. I remembered a movie I'd watched as a teenager. Poor boy saves rich girl's life and gets to have dinner with the important people, most of whom are determined to make sure he knows his place. He'd gotten the girl for a little while, but the story hadn't ended well for him. I just hoped that wasn't going to be the case here.
    “You have a lovely home.” I gave the Michaels a polite smile. “So much space.”
    “I suppose you and your dozen half-brothers and sisters all shared a one room apartment, right?”
    My smile tightened and Brock put his hand on my back. Across the table, Reed stiffened, though I couldn't tell if it was because of his sister's comment or Brock's touch.
    “Our apartment had two bedrooms,” I replied stiffly. “And it was just my mother and me before she died.”
    “I'm sorry to hear she passed,” Mrs. Michaels said.
    I wasn't sure I believed her.
    “That's unusual,” Rebecca continued. “Isn't it? Someone like your mother not having a dozen kids from different men.”
    My hands curled into fists.
    “Then again, you're following in her footsteps, aren't you? And you don't have any kids.” She smirked. “That we know of.”
    I stood. “Excuse me.”
    I heard Brock say my name, but I didn't acknowledge it or stop walking. I wasn't sure where I was going, but I knew it was away from the dining room. As soon as I saw a set of French doors leading outside, I went through them. I didn't care if they went to the front or back of the house. I wanted fresh air and solitude.
    I stepped out into what looked like a garden. Leave it to rich people to turn their backyard into a garden rather than keeping it somewhere kids could play. I supposed the Michaels could've done it after Brock and Britni had grown up, but I doubted it. They seemed like the kind of people who wouldn't want to deal with the mess that came from outside play.
    I took a deep breath of the warm early summer air. It was well past seven, closing in on eight, but dusk was only just settling. If I hadn’t been escaping from a room of horrid rich bitch snobs, I might have enjoyed it.
    “Piper.”
    Brock's voice came from behind me but I didn't turn to face him. His arms slid around my waist and I leaned back against his chest.
    “I'm sorry.”
    I shook my head. “It wasn't your fault. Rebecca's a bitch. Always has been. Usually, I can take it, but...” My voice trailed off.
    “But this was about your mother,” he finished the thought for me.
    I nodded.
    “It might not be my fault, but I'm still sorry you're hurt.” He kissed my temple.
    I turned around in his arms and put my hands on his shoulders. “Do you see now why I can't move back here?” My eyes met his. “Why this can't work?”
    “I don't believe that.”
    “They're never going to see me as anything but trash, even if they never find out how we really met, although you know they will.” I ran my fingers through his hair. “It doesn't matter how I dress, or if I learn all the nice buzz words that people in your social circle use. I'm not one of you, and I never will be.”
    He kept one hand on my waist while the other cupped my chin, holding my face in place as he spoke, his voice intense. “Fuck them. I don't care what my parents think and if they try to make me choose, I'll choose you. I'm not going to let their close-minded prejudices make me miss out on the chance for happiness.”
    My heart constricted almost painfully. He was choosing me over family. How could I not at least try to see if this could be something? I touched his face, trying to see if he words were real. “Okay.” I gave in. “I'll consider moving back.”
    Brock's face lit up and he lowered his head. The kiss was rough, his mouth moving against mine almost forcefully. It was more than just wanting. This was needing. A hunger I felt myself