Taking the Plunge Read Online Free Page B

If she waited long enough, he would come out.
    “Can I sleep here?” she whispered. She had never slept overnight at Derek’s place. He always said he had homework or other things to do. She hoped if they were intimate in other ways, he would open his eyes and realize his faults.
    “I have an exam to study for,” he said with a sigh.
    “Oh.” She couldn’t hide the disappointment she felt.
    Derek stood up and grabbed his clothes, getting dressed.
    After a moment of depression, she stood up and pulled on her clothes then let him drive her back to her car at school.
    He walked her to the door then kissed her gently, his lips feeling soft against hers. She was still upset about his behavior at the ice cream parlor, but she didn’t feel like fighting again. She decided to let it go.
    “I’ll see you tomorrow ,” he said as he opened her door.
    “Okay.”
    “And you taste like mint.”
    She smiled. “Thanks.”
    “Good night.” He shut the door then went back to his car.
    Little moment s like that made her heart flutter. She was equally happy and miserable. The dynamics shifted so much and so suddenly that it was jolting and difficult on her heart. But she didn’t know what else to do. Hope made her stay in the relationship, that Derek would become the man she needed in her life right now. But in her heart she knew he never would. She was just digging herself a bigger hole to fall into.

4
    “Don’t you ever challenge me like that in front of my inferiors,” her father said as he stared her down. She just walked through the door and hadn’t even put her bag down yet.
    “Your inferiors?” she asked with a disgusted voice. “They’re your employees, not slaves.”
    “Just don’t do it again. I mean it.”
    “It was my fault. I asked him to take out his phone.”
    “You did?” he asked, crossing his arms over his chest. His tie was thrown on the chair and the first button of his shirt was undone. He obviously just got home.
    “Yes, I told him to show me pictures of his kids. What was he supposed to do? Refuse the boss’s daughter?”
    “It was still unacceptable behavior.”
    “No, your behavior was unacceptable,” she snapped. “You can’t talk to people like that.”
    “I’m running a business, not a daycare.”
    “You don’t get it,” she mumbled.
    “What was that?” he said, raising his voice. “You like the house you live in? You like having a balcony that faces the ocean? Free tuition? I suggest you shut your mouth and be grateful for everything I’ve done for you.”
    She hated hearing that argument. She heard it so many times. “I am grateful. That’s beside the point.”
    “If you’re grateful, you’ll stay out of my affairs.”
    “Dad, how do these people even survive living off minimum wage ? It’s ridiculous. They deserve to be paid more.”
    He grabbed his suitcase and a glass of wine. “I’m not talking to you about this. Good night.”
    “Dad!”
    He walked down the hallway and disappeared.
    She sighed then walked into her bedroom, slamming the door behind her. She immediately went to her balcony and grabbed a blank canvass and started to paint. It was the only thing that calmed her down. She wasn’t even sure what she was drawing. Hours passed until she realized it was really late, way past her bedtime. She went to sleep with a heavy heart.
    The next morning , she went to the class she missed the day before and realized she missed a quiz. That made her more annoyed with her father. When she went to lunch in the cafeteria, Derek acted like nothing happened the night before. The fight was forgotten in light of the animal sex they had. Derek didn’t offer to buy her lunch, and the kiss he gave her on the cheek was weak. When Nancy looked around at everyone, she saw the love Henry and Coen had for their ladies. She wished Derek would look at her like that. He only paid attention to her when they were in the bedroom.
    “I’m headed to class,” Derek said. He