Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 101985 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 510(@200wpm)___ 408(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101985 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 510(@200wpm)___ 408(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
“I know how your brain works,” he warns in a low voice that sends a shiver down my spine. “I can practically read your thoughts.”
“You should know better than to talk to me the way you are right now. Or else maybe I’ll have to ask my father to assign somebody else to me. Somebody who can actually do the job without whining to me about it.”
“That’s what you think this is? You think I’m whining?” Before I know what’s happening, he backs me up against the open bedroom door. There’s so much of him, all at once. His size, the smell of his cologne, the warmth coming from his body. The fine hairs on my arms stand straight up when his hot breath washes over my skin as he leans down. “It’s a warning, princess. The first sign of any of your shit, and he’s going to hear about it.”
My knees threaten to buckle, but I can’t let that happen. The one thing I’ve had on my side all summer is knowing how much Zeke wants to keep this job with my father. Not that I think there’s any affectionate feelings on either side or anything like that, but more like he doesn’t want to let Dad down. He’s not a guy you disappoint. Zeke can pretend all he wants, but we both know he would be blamed for anything my father found out about. I might get a tiny slap on the wrist, but that’s it.
Which is why I’m able to lift my chin despite the way my body trembles. “Go ahead and tell him. We’ll see how much longer you have a job once you do. I think we both know it’ll be better if you keep your mouth shut and let me do what I want. I’m going to college. I should be allowed to have my freedom.”
“That’s what you think. But the guy who foots the bill has other ideas, and we both know it.” His voice drops to something closer to a growl, one so deep it makes me wet. “Behave yourself, princess. Otherwise, I’ll have to deal with you myself. And you won’t like that very much.”
I barely have time to catch my breath before he’s gone, disappearing as silently as he appeared in the first place.
And I’m supposed to live with this man with nobody around to keep him in check.
Or to keep me in check.
This can only spell trouble.
3
ZEKE
“Turn on some music.”
My response is to stare straight ahead through the windshield. The way I’ve been for the past hour. I don’t even glance up at the rearview mirror, where I know I’d find Mia glaring daggers straight through me.
“Hello? Did you go deaf? Music. It’s too quiet in here.”
Again, she gets nothing from me. My hands tighten around the wheel, and I can’t help but imagine them tightening around her slender neck. It’s bad enough I spend most of my waking moments reminding myself how dangerous it would be to give in to my craving for her. Why does she have to make it so much more difficult?
Then again, maybe I should thank her. Hating her is so much easier than wanting her.
Though the level of intensity is about the same.
She mutters something under her breath. “Zeke. I know you can hear me. I’m only asking you to put some music on… please.” She whispers the last part.
“Huh? Sorry, I guess I couldn’t hear you. It’s this funny problem I have. My ears don’t pick up when people are being rude little assholes.”
“I didn’t know it made me an asshole to want music in the car while we’re on our way to school.”
“You know damn well what I mean.” I finally take the chance of looking in the mirror, and I end up wishing I hadn’t. She’s wearing a skirt just barely long enough that her father didn’t tell her to get changed the second he saw her in it.
But it was short enough for him to pull me aside. “Make sure she doesn’t wear shit like that around school.” Right. Now I’m supposed to dress her in the morning. Why not put me on diaper duty while I’m at it?
Ordinarily, back at the compound, it would have been bad enough trying to function with her looking the way she does.
Now it’s so much worse because there’s nobody nearby. Nobody looking over my shoulder, nobody to report back to the boss that I spent a little too much time eyeing up his delicious little daughter. Her long legs, so smooth and tempting. I bet she feels like silk, though I wouldn’t dare put a finger on her. I haven’t even touched her arm or her hand since that night. I don’t trust myself.
She crosses one leg over the other, and my mouth goes dry. “Excuse me, Zeke? Would it be too much trouble to turn on the radio? I think the ride would be much more enjoyable with a little music.” Her sickeningly sweet voice carries a bitter edge that’s almost enough to make me laugh. She’s got an attitude on her, but then so do I.