Chapter 248

On the evening of the Academy’s winter dance, I slipped into my shining purple gown and checked myself out in the bathroom mirror.

Gone were the days when I could pass as not pregnant. Now, my bump was a distinctive round bulge, pressing out the front of my gown – which I had bought in the maternity section.

Asher ducked his head in through the open door. “You about… ready…”

His gaze drifted down the length of my body. His blue eyes darkened. I knew that look.

“We don’t have time,” I said fondly.

He stepped more fully into the bathroom, enough that I could see the full length of him now too.

He wore a tailored black suit that hugged his wide shoulders and tapered waist. A simple black bowtie hugged the base of his throat, snug under a starched white collar. He’d tried to do something with his wild hair, slicking it back some. The loose curls could not be contained though and broke free in several places.

Overall, he looked like he just walked straight out of a fashion magazine.

My mouth watered.

The edge of his lip quirked upwards. “We don’t have time, remember?”

I nodded, even as I stepped closer to him, hands first. I couldn’t wait to run my touch along the smooth black suit coat, or slip my grasp around to feel his ass through those tight, fitted pants.

He laughed as I got two handfuls.

He wasn’t much better though, tracing his fingers along the line of my spine before bringing both hands to sit comfortably on my hipbones.

“Maybe we can forget the dance,” I said.

“The one you’ve been wanting to go to for weeks? The one that is supposed to be our celebration night out, finally free of worry?”

I nodded and stepped closer to him. I kept my face away as best I could, however. I didn’t want to smear makeup on his crisp white shirt.

His voice was soft and indulgent. “… Cynthia.”

I sighed. He was right, of course. We really should go to this dance like we’d planned.

“But after? We can touch then, right?” I asked.

He smile stretched. “I plan on it.” He leaned in close, mouth near my ear. “All night long.”

I giggled.

Since Asher and I had officially become a couple known to the entire school, everyone had generally become nicer to us. There were still a few, who believed I was attempting to shoehorn Asher into an unwilling parenthood, but most of them could see the truth.

Asher and I were true mates. We loved and cared for each other, and couldn’t wait for the rest of our lives, including the part where we would be a family, to begin.

Because of this rare bond, Asher and I had become something of a power couple on campus. Everyone was interested in how we were or what we were doing.

On the daily, I was now asked questions like, “What names are you thinking of for the baby?” or “Where are you guys going to live off-campus?”

It was a nice, and welcome change.

When we entered the gymnasium where the dance was held, Nicole and Aimee immediately rushed up to us. I pulled them both into hugs one right after the next.

“Aren’t the decorations great?” Aimee said, nudging me while looking at Nicole.

Nichole and the cheerleaders had helped the event committee hang the disco balls and streamers throughout the room.

“It looks wonderful!”

It was a winter wonderland of blue streamers and tinsel. It almost looking like it was snowing inside the room.

A DJ had set up a station on one side of the room and dance music blasted through the speakers.

Asher wrapped his arms around me. “Dance with me,” he said against my cheek, right before he placed a kiss there. “But no overdoing it. Tell me the minute you get tired.”

“I will. I promise.”

Joseph had added so much stress to my life that now, without him, my entire body seemed to recover. Lilith could focus fully on protecting my baby, and she too was growing stronger every day.

On the dance floor, Asher kept me close in his arms like this was a slow song, and not one with a fast beat. He kissed me and I laughed against his lips.

I combed my fingers through his hair.

“We’re not on beat,” I said against him mouth.

“Sure we are.” Asher grabbed one of my hands and placed it to his chest. Under my palm, I felt the gentle pounding of his heart. It marched in tandem with my own, and we moved to its rhythm.

When I had first gotten to know Asher, I never would have imagined that he would be such a big softie. He was romantic and protective. He indulged me every moment. There was nothing I could ask for that he wouldn’t find a way to deliver.

His love was a gift that I would never take advantage of.

And now, without the fear of Joseph or my failing out of the Academy, or anything else, he could openly show how much he loved me.

It didn’t matter who saw.

Except…

“Cynthia?”

Around me, the music continued to play. People were dancing. The light was reflecting off the disco balls, sending flashes of color around the room.

But my whole worldview had narrowed down to the one person in my room who had just called my name.

Someone who had not thought I would see again so soon. Someone who was supposed to be studying abroad.

“Dylan?”

I pulled back from Asher, enough to add a few inches between us. Asher refused to stop touching me. As I turned to face my brother, he reluctantly released my waist, though instead, he took my hand in his and laced our fingers together.

Dylan glanced at our held hands.

I tried to draw his attention away, mainly by speaking louder than necessary.

“Dylan! What are you doing here?”

It wasn’t that I was unhappy to see him. I hadn’t seen him in so long. I felt relief knowing he was alright. And here! He looked a little older. His hair was longer than he used to keep it, and he had some scruff on his chin.

“I couldn’t wait to see you,” he said. “Especially when I heard from our parents.” A flash of fury crossed over his face. “I can’t believe they said what they did about you. They disowned you?” He growled some, before he closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

“They said things,” Dylan continued. “I wasn’t sure what to believe at first, but now that I’m here. Now that I see… I have even more questions.”

His eyes snapped open, and the full focus of his gaze fell on Asher. “Especially for you.”

Asher squared his shoulders. “Ask me whatever you want. I have nothing to hide.”

“Oh no?” Dylan scoffed.

“Asher, I can explain,” I started, but he talked over me.

“Someone had better. Because I would love to know, how I leave for a few months and ask you, Asher, my best friend, to keep an eye on my baby sister… Only to now return and find this.”

He waved his hands between Asher and me.

“What the hell do you think you are doing with your arms around my little sister, Asher? My little sister, Cynthia, who is apparently very pregnant?!”