Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 79462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79462 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
I rub soothing circles on her back. "I'm here for you, babe. Why don't we go up to your room and you can vent to me about it?"
Allegra nods gratefully and links her arm through mine as we ascend the stairs.
I can feel Viper's intense gaze burning into my back with each step.
The tension radiating off him is palpable.
We settle cross-legged on Allegra's plush king bed, surrounded by her eclectic decor—band posters, crystal collections, stacks of poetry books.
She sighs heavily. "I love my dad, I do. But ever since he got out of prison, he's been so overbearing and controlling," she confesses, fidgeting with an amethyst pendant. "I'm 18. I’m not a child anymore. I need freedom."
"I totally get it," I reassure her. "He missed out on seeing you grow up, so he probably doesn't know how to deal. Have you tried talking to him about giving you some space?"
Allegra scoffs. "You've met my father. Talking isn't really his strong suit. It's his way or no way."
An idea sparks. "Why don't we have a chill girls' day here then? Face masks, trash TV, junk food—take your mind off things for a bit. I already brought some wine and some snacks, but it’s just chocolate and chips."
Her blue eyes light up. "Ooh yes! Dad can just deal. I'll go grab more snacks from the kitchen. Be right back!" She bounds out of the room.
And now I'm alone with my thoughts...and memories of Viper pressed against me, his skilled tattooed hands roaming my body.
I shake my head.
The last thing I need is to go there right now.
I need a distraction before my imagination runs too wild.
Rummaging through my purse, I pull out a sketchbook and start doodling tattoo concepts—flowers sprouting from pistols, a mermaid with a skeletal tail.
Drawing always calms my racing mind.
"An artist at work," a deep, gravelly voice startles me.
Viper leans against the doorframe, muscular arms crossed over his chest.
His black t-shirt stretches taut over his biceps.
My cheeks flush at being caught. "I need something to keep me occupied." I snap the sketchbook shut.
He pushes off the doorframe and stalks closer, his presence dominating the room. "Yes, well, it’s good to be bettering your craft. Have you given any thought to when you’ll open Ashton Studios?"
How can he even ask me that right now?
I grumble, “Not sure—especially since I’m so busy with other duties.”
"Allegra needs a friend right now," Viper states, an edge to his tone. "Don't go putting any crazy ideas in her head."
I bristle at the insinuation. "Crazy ideas? Like encouraging her to have a life outside of this gilded cage?"
His jaw clenches. "Watch it. You don't know shit about our family."
Oh, I'm just getting started.
I stand up, squaring my shoulders. "I know Allegra is miserable. And I know she deserves happiness and freedom. She’s not a puppy you can keep on a leash, Viper."
Viper takes an imposing step closer, his face inches from mine.
I can feel the heat rolling off his body. "She tell you that? Maybe you should mind your own damn business, Iris."
My nails dig into my palms.
The audacity of this man! "She's my best friend. Her business is my business, Viper. Someone needs to be in her corner."
"And you think that's you?" he growls.
I tilt my chin up defiantly. "Damn right it is."
The air crackles between us, the tension pulls taut.
Will he lash out in anger or pull me into a bruising kiss?
I almost want him to.
Almost.
Right at that charged moment, Allegra bursts back into the room, arms overflowing with chips and candy. "I come bearing snacks! Uh, what did I miss?"
She looks between us warily.
Viper drags a hand down his face and lets out a harsh exhale. "Nothing. You two... do whatever." He storms out without a backward glance.
Allegra quirks an eyebrow at me. "Whoa, what was that?"
I force a bright smile. "Just your dad being his usual charming self. Now, I vote we start this girls' day with a trashy reality show binge. Thoughts?"
As we laugh and lose ourselves in petty onscreen drama, my mind keeps wandering to Viper despite my best efforts.
His words, his eyes, his closeness.
Everything about him sets me on edge in the most thrilling, frustrating way.
Get it together, Iris.
But I can't shake the feeling that something is shifting between us.
Like we're hurtling toward... what exactly?
Oblivion?
Ecstasy?
Both?
I guess only time will tell.
For now, I'll focus on being the friend Allegra needs, the sweet, fierce soul currently giggling and throwing gummy bears at the TV.
Even if that means facing off with her formidable, dangerously alluring father.
Four glasses of wine later, Allegra and I sprawl across the plush living room rug, limbs loose and languid.
The movie plays on forgotten as we trade increasingly wild ideas between peals of laughter.
"You know what I really want?" Allegra muses, tracing idle patterns on the carpet. "A tattoo. Something badass and sexy, right here."