A Controller's Destiny (Unit Matched #3) (18 page)

The crisp air is what I need right now. It clears my head. The words my mother says still rings in my head.

How can a mother hate their child?

I think about my whole life. There were signs all around but I ignored them. I can remember her huffing and cursing under her breath if I asked to do stuff with her or ask her to read something other than the prophecy. I always thought it was because she was tired from work. Now, I know the truth.

I unlock my door to the house and look around.

Our house.

Mine and Graham’s.

Forever.

I’m home.

I walk into the kitchen and sit at the table. I listen to the quiet around me. I inhale the freshness of our clean home. I feel safe. I don’t ever want this to change.

“Shorty.”

I turn to see Graham standing in the middle of our kitchen.

“Do you remember what you told me right after we were Matched? When the girls had found me crying in that side room.”

“I do.” He takes a step toward me. “I told you not to be afraid and that everything will work out.”

“You told me that when you dropped me off the first time, too.”

He nods. “I did and I meant it.”

I leap up from the chair and race to him. Graham catches me easily. “Thank you.”

“For what, Shorty.”

“Everything.”

“I will always be here for you, Gia Centers. You’re my Matched. You’re my life.” He inhales my hair. I can hear his voice cracking. “I love you.”

“I love you.”

I pull back and kiss his lips hard, showing him all the emotions that I’m feeling. All my fear, rage, loss, love, and kindness is wrapped into that kiss.

“Shorty,” he pulls back. “If we don’t stop, I’m going to have sex with you in this kitchen.”

“Perfect,” I breathe and go back to kissing him.

Graham takes a few steps and lays me on the kitchen table. He separates from my lips and I practically rip my jeans off as he fumbles with his, dropping them to his ankles.

“I need you. Please, Graham. I need you right now.” I’m panting as I beg him.

“Fast and hard isn’t something we’ve really done yet.” His breathing is as sporadic as mine is.

“Variety is the spice of life, right?” I grin at him as I wrap my legs around him.

Graham grins and slams into me. Our moans echo in the kitchen and he picks up his speed. Between my panting and his moans, there are no words that need to be said. Graham punishes me and I know that I’ll be sore, but I don’t care.

I need him.

I want him.

The familiar tension is building deep inside me as Graham continues his hard thrusts. I dig my nails into his hard biceps and I yell out his name as the tension leaves me. He grunts in my ear one more time and I feel his release.

Graham lays his forehead on mine and we both try to control our breathing.

“Thank you.” I say after I’m able to find my voice.

He leans up smiling. “Eating at this table will never be the same again.”

We both laugh. A real laugh.

~~~

After a hot shower and a fresh set of pajamas, I feel almost brand new. Graham hands me a cup of hot chocolate when I come back into the living room and I curl up in his lap.

A knock at the door makes us both look at each other in confusion. Graham moves me from his lap and answers the door.  I can’t see who it is until Graham moves out of the way.

“Amaya?” I tilt my head at her. I figured of all people she would be home with Oliver.

“I want to talk to you.” Her green eyes seem sad.

“Okay.” I look at Graham as she comes to sit by me.

“I’ll be in the bedroom if you need me.” He winks at me and heads up the stairs.

I look over at Amaya. I can feel that her emotions are all over the place. “What is it?”

“Um,” she shakes her head. “I wanted to come over here to check in on you.”

I take her hand. “I’m fine. I actually wanted to tell you how sorry I am.”

“For what?”

“Your parents. Well, at least your mom. I mean, she seemed to be Zane’s right hand.” I shrug. I had meant to tell her before but everything kept getting in the way.

“It’s not like they were good parents anyway. At least, Rebecca will be okay.”

We sit there quietly holding each other’s hands.

“Amaya, tell me why you’re here.”

She takes a deep breath and closes her eyes.

“Hey, talk to me.” I urge her.

“I feel bad for you.” Amaya whispers and I can feel her sadness.

“What?”

“For you,” she looks up at me with her big green eyes. “You are the kindest, most selfless, and sweetest person that I know. But hearing your mother’s words and seeing her face when she spoke to you I…” she stops.

“Amaya,” I hug my dear, caring friend.

“I can’t stand when people are mean to you or Xaviera. It’s like hearing nails on a chalkboard.”

“I’m scared.” I whisper to her.

She pulls away from me. “What for?”

“Something Mom said, about me being evil. I wanted to hit her so badly. I wanted her to feel as much pain as I did.” I tell her.

“That doesn’t make you evil, Gia. I don’t think there was a single person in that room that didn’t want to do the same thing. Trust me.”

“I’m glad that it’s over.” I hug her again. “I’m glad that we’re all okay.”

“Let me say one thing,” Amaya cups my face. “If you ever scare the shit out of me again, then you will have to deal with my wrath. Do you understand?”

I smile. “I promise. Amaya, you’re a great friend, you are my sister. I don’t know what I would do without you.”

“Oh, sweet Gia, your life would be so boring without me.” She winks and I laugh. “But, if you need to talk, about anything, I’m here for you. Always.” She hugs me.

We hold each other for a moment longer. I can feel her relax. I can feel my own sadness creeping up thinking that she lost her parents, too.

“I’m always here for you, too, Amaya. Always.” I remind her.

“I know.” She lets me go and heads for the door.

When she leaves, I sit there thinking about my life now. I’m motherless, but I have my true family with me. I have the ones that count right by my side.

I quietly walk up the stairs and lean against the doorframe of the bedroom. Graham is stretched out on the bed. His hands behind his head and he’s staring at the ceiling. He’s so handsome and he’s all mine.

He turns and looks at me, giving me that sexy grin.

“Hey, Shorty.”

“Hey.” I crawl on to the bed and kiss him on the lips.

“Everything okay?”

“It’s perfect. It’s like destiny at its best.” I kiss him again and curl up next to him.

I’m ready to start my future.