Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 103413 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 414(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103413 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 414(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
Lottie: You realise you’re not the boss of me.
Liam: Ah, so that’s where we’re going wrong.
There was nothing for a moment. He looked over at Nico and winked. Regent was ignoring them both, but that suited Liam’s needs for the moment.
Another buzz in his hand.
Lottie: Wrong?
Liam: There’s obviously been a miscommunication.
Lottie: Because you think you’re the boss of me?
Liam: Because I am most definitely the boss of you.
Lottie: You’re delirious.
Liam: You’re beautiful. Now get your gorgeous butt downstairs for breakfast.
He left off the or else. He’d wait for her to ask.
Lottie: Or what?
Liam: Or I come upstairs and carry you down.
A few minutes of nothing. Okay, seemed he was going to have to make good on his threat. Liam never threatened something without following through.
“Where are you going?” Nico asked.
“Retrieving a package.”
“Oh, shit. You’re going to get murdered.” Nico shot a wary look at Regent.
“You’re forgetting who I am.”
“Yeah, but we’re in his house,” Nico whispered just as another text came through.
Lottie: You wouldn’t dare.
Liam: Do you really want to find out?
Lottie: Grr. Fine. I’m coming. Do not come get me.
Liam just smiled. First step taken.
The damn arrogance of the man.
Does he seriously think he gets to order me around?
She didn’t want breakfast. She’d only just woken up. Which was actually a miracle in itself. Last night was the best sleep she could remember having in forever. Maybe it was Nico’s magical voice. She could remember him crooning to her. The man was so damn sexy.
And then there was Liam. She didn’t understand what was going on with him. It was like something had snapped inside him.
His sanity. Whatever bit he’d had had obviously gone. Because there was no way that anything could happen between them. Between her and them.
Perhaps they just wanted her because she was someone they couldn’t have. Regent would throw a fit if he found out that Liam and Nico had been in her room last night. She couldn’t ever tell him that.
Not if she wanted Liam and Nico to live.
And she did. Because as much as she shouldn’t want them, she did.
She couldn’t believe they wanted a third. That they thought she could be part of their relationship, it was both ludicrous and . . .
Amazing.
Wonderful.
Insane.
She reached the door to the dining room and took a deep breath. Meals had always been such a formal affair in this house, even when their parents were alive. There was no eating a plate of food while watching TV or . . . or going on a picnic like she’d attempted to do with Nico yesterday.
Before Ace had gotten hurt, she’d been having fun.
What if she could be with them? What if it wasn’t such a crazy idea? What if they actually wanted her?
She was so sick of hiding. Of not having a life.
What if she said yes to dating them? What was the worst that could happen?
They could break my heart.
But she couldn’t really be worse off than she was. At least she would have tried. And Lottie was so damn sick of dog paddling just to keep her head above the water but never getting any closer to the shore.
Suddenly, the door opened, and she shot forward. Two large hands grabbed her around her upper arms.
“Whoa there, you okay?”
She gasped, glancing up at Liam. He gave her a concerned look.
“Um, yes, thank you.”
“Get your hands off her!” Regent demanded, moving up behind Liam.
She winced at the cold tone in his voice.
“Would you rather I let her fall over?” Liam asked.
“Let her go now,” Regent demanded.
Liam winked, then slowly let her go. He stepped to her side then leaned in. “Nice timing, baby. I was just coming to get you.”
A shiver ran through her as he moved away to take a seat at the table.
“Darling? You okay?” Regent reached out to touch her gently, running his hand lightly over her arm. “He didn’t hurt you, did he?”
She gave him a shocked look. “No, of course not. Liam wouldn’t hurt me.”
“Your lack of trust is wounding.”
She glanced over to see Liam had his hand on his chest. Her lips twitched. Nico was always the dramatic one, she hadn’t actually realized Liam had much of a sense of humor. Seems she was wrong.
But she wasn’t entirely sure it was a good thing he was showing it now. He seemed to be enjoying winding Regent up way too much.
Mind you, it was good for her oldest brother to be challenged. Not many people did.
Regent was now scowling at Liam. “Are you sure you don’t need to be leaving now?”
No! She didn’t want them to go.
Shit! Just as well she hadn’t said that out loud. Imagine trying to explain that to Regent. But from the smile on Nico’s face and the arrogant smirk on Liam’s, she had a feeling that she’d given herself away.