Climb on My Stepfather (Ashley and Alex)

8: Georgina.

None of this college. None of this college?

Didn't I know something like this was coming? When Aleksei said he never intends to leave me, I should have questioned him further. In the back of my mind, wasn't there always a belief that he couldn't simply move me into the dorm and drive away? Furthermore, that it would be so...wrong to part from him, after everything we've been through?

My mother's death, high school, my driver's test, college applications.

Thunderstorms, injuries, loneliness.

My Twilight phase.

Aleksei was there for it all. The only one who was there.

Especially now that I know what my body sensed all along wasn't a fluke...and we are oh-so-freaking compatible...not being with Aleksei every day fills me with unimaginable sadness. Not only do I love this man, but there's no denying he just woke up something inside me. Wild, consuming sensations that I don't think I can live without. And there's a beat pounding in my heart, telling me Aleksei is the only one in the universe who can give them to me.

But. Oh, there are some serious buts.

I stopped trying to make Aleksei notice me as something but an honorary niece long ago. No matter what I did, he didn't seem interested in me beyond my being his ward. A...job. So I threw myself into school work-focused on it hard — and realized a degree is something I want badly. Some day I want to be the one unlocking the library doors and deciding what's stocked on the shelves. Maybe for a lot of girls, college is a given. But not in my world. If my father had it his way, I would be kept under lock and key until I need false teeth. I fought for this chance to attend school, and I'm not going to compromise one dream for the sake of another.

Currently, one of those dreams is carrying me down a crowded sidewalk like a sack of potatoes, and fine, the caveman routine might work for me a lot of the time. But not today. Not when the future I've worked so hard for is at stake.

"Aleksei!" I scream through my teeth. "We have to talk about this. Put me down. Right now."

“I do not think this wise,” he says, sounding completely calm.

"I don't care." I bunch a fist and ram it awkwardly into his back. Of course, it ends up making my own wrist throb. "Ouch, dammit."

Aleksei clucks his tongue. "I taught you to punch better than that."

"Excuse me, miss? Are you okay?"

My blood cools, then freezes, at the sound of a strange man's voice. Not because

I feel threatened. Oh no. An angry mob could be chasing me and as long as

Aleksei was there, I wouldn't feel an ounce of fear. No, my jolt of alarm has everything to do with the newcomer's safety. Not mine.

Beneath my draped body, Aleksei's shoulders turn to rippling iron, his step slowing to a stop. I struggle in his grip to get myself upright, and Aleksei lets me, remaining still as a marble statue as I slide down the front of him. I can count on one hand the number of times another man has dared to question Aleksei - and it has never happened in relation to my well-being. When !

catch sight of the deadly intensity he's directing at the stranger, I know I have to intervene or he's going to decorate the sidewalk with homeboy's guts.

"Hey." I frame his face with my hands and attempt te get his attention, but his neck

is stiff, his gray gaze never leaving the stranger. "Aleksei."

rasps, one of his

was only checking to see if

malice

my

tension. A standoff where my lips work over his stiff ones. Someone questioned my safety. If that man knew how serious Aleksei

help anyone else who does." And when the fight drains out of him and he groans, the edge is taken off my earlier anger, even more so. One big hand slides into my hair,

I feel the familiar shape of his car pressing into my back. There

having a hard time making out their words over the chirping canaries circling my

me I'm

from his kiss and drag in a gulp

"Still you believe this?"

hello, anger. There you are. "Did

making sure no one breathes on you, do you think

not set foot near my

"Then where are you

in the car and

the car. And...and...my train of thought is busted

all comes down to? I haven't been

taste of freedom stolen. By the only person who'd tempt me to give it up of my own free will. If he cared about me, he wouldn't ask me to do that,

Right.

going with you. I'll find another way

Panic slides across his expression. "You would

deep breath, I

library, I should have known seduction would be his choice.

press to my forehead, detour down my cheek and open above my mouth, just a hint away, his warm breath coasting over

have," I murmur, squeezing my legs together. "That doesn't mean you can get away with

second part,

rumble in his chest as he licks

in a massive rush.

forehead meets mine.

wings in my belly beat faster. I can't believe this. He's totally succeeded in melting my rage. This is what happens in a game of sheltered virgin versus Russian hit man, isn't it? "I'm only getting into the car because I have no other ride," I whisper. Aleksei shakes his head, shaking mine along with

once and for all into a simmering pot of hormones. Already my panties are

extricate myself from Aleksei's hold, shooting him a

up to close the door and cross to the driver's side. With his typical tight control, he starts the ignition

"Are you warm enough?” A pause. "I'm asking because you have both arms wrapped around yourself like a

don't give him

remember why

no further change in his

lied? To me? To

"I said I would bring you

mouthed scream. "And where is