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and until I move out of my
dad’s place I won’t be down that often, but this is such a generous
thing for you to do in the meantime.”
    “You’re moving out? When?” Christian suddenly
sounded serious, and not very happy.
    “Well, yeah. As soon as I graduate college,
which will be at the end of May, remember? I told you–I'm
graduating early because of all the AP classes I took in high
school. I only agreed to live with Dad as long as I was in college,
and since that time is almost up, I’m ready to start looking for a
place of my own.” I felt slightly annoyed and more than a little
confused by the change of subject.
    Christian seemed upset at my news and I couldn’t
understand why. I thought he would be happy that I would be out on
my own and able to see him whenever I wanted. Frowning, he
continued, “I don’t like the idea of you living alone. Not after
what happened to your mom.”
    And now my evening was ruined. “Oh, Jesus
Christ. Really? You sound just like my dad. Do you think the guy
who killed my mom has been keeping tabs on me this whole time?
What, has he just been waiting for me to move out, biding his time
until he could strike? Be realistic, Christian. Just because I’ve
had to face tragedy in my life, doesn’t mean I’m different from any
other twenty-one year old living on her own. Besides, I’m tougher
than you think,” I spat as I headed towards the door. “Thanks again
for the kind gesture Evangeline, though it looks like I won’t be
needing it tonight after all.”
    I spotted Jillian at the bar as I rushed out of
Evangeline’s office. I realized that she had just had a drink
placed in front of her when I grabbed her arm. “Sorry, change of
plans...let’s go.”

* * * * *
    CHAPTER EIGHT
    Ruined
    (Rose)
     
    Just as I reached the club's front door,
Christian grabbed my arm. "What's wrong with you?" His face was
lined with genuine concern. Christian and I had never fought
before. This was his first taste of my temper, and right now it had
just started to boil.
    "What's wrong is that I'm sick of everyone
treating me like a fucking kid," I screamed over the bass of the
music. "You don't seem to think I'm a kid when your tongue is down
my throat or your hand is up my shirt, now do you?"
    Taken aback, he gasped and dropped my arm. After
a moment, he cocked his head towards the door. "Let's go outside."
He walked out, leaving me standing there wondering if we'd survive
our first fight.
    I glanced at Jillian who was standing there
watching me with a concerned look on her face. I leaned in and
raised my voice enough for her to hear, "I'll be right back." She
nodded and headed back to the bar to reclaim her seat and
drink.
    After I passed through the door and popped my
ears, adjusting for the void of the loud music, I spotted Christian
leaning against his car. His eyes were locked on mine as he tracked
me from across the parking lot.
    "I don't understand why you're so mad." Thick
emotion laced his tone. "I love you, and it's only natural that I
would be concerned and worried about you."
    Listening to him express his feelings so openly
made me realize that I had just ruined our entire night. Feeling
ashamed I whispered, "I'm sorry. After all these months of my dad
babying me, I guess I'm just overly sensitive to anyone who tries
to coddle me."
    He took my face in his hands. "Rose, I'm not
trying to coddle you. I'm just worried about you living on your
own. I'm your boyfriend, I love you, and that gives me the right to
be concerned."
    He loves me. As the fact settled deep in
my bones, a warm feeling started to spread in all the right places.
I pulled his hands away from my face and stepped closer. "Can we
talk about my moving out later?" I reached up and laced my fingers
through his hair. "I just really need to be close to you right
now."
    I didn't wait for his response. I leaned in and
brushed my lips across his. When I pulled back to gauge his
reaction, his eyes were closed and his breath