Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 68354 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 342(@200wpm)___ 273(@250wpm)___ 228(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68354 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 342(@200wpm)___ 273(@250wpm)___ 228(@300wpm)
Liam stands to the side, giving me space to handle getting them settled. Finally, we leave, after I whisper into Bailey’s ear that I’ll fill her in with some details later.
I can’t get out of there fast enough.
No more getting attached to Liam.
Am I telling myself for their sake or mine?
Fourteen
Liam
“Well, you didn’t have to go and charm their socks off,” Cora snaps when we reach the stairs.
“Wait. What?” I ask her. That was the most normal visit I’ve paid to anyone in years. Hell, I enjoyed myself, and now she’s going to turn this around? Oh no, she doesn’t. I have no patience for this bullshit, and she needs to listen to me now. “That’s enough, Cora. We’ll talk in the car.”
“I don’t—”
Out of patience, I give her a silent swat to the rear that silences her and makes her cheeks color pink.
Manuel’s waiting for us and opens the door when we arrive. I help her in, then step into the car behind her, shut the door and wait until we pull away from the curb before I speak.
“There’s no need to chide me,” I tell her. “I went upstairs with you because you were accosted by that bitch, and I visited with your brother and sister. We ate dinner and did homework. What’s so wrong with that?”
“What’s wrong with that?” she sputters, and I can tell by the way her voice goes high-pitched and her eyes are too bright that she’s really, truly upset. I’m confused and getting angry at the way she’s looking at me, like I did something wrong. Hell, I’m used to pissing her off when her anger’s justified, but this is ridiculous.
“What’s wrong with that?” she repeats. “They don’t need you swooping in here all gallant and heroic and growing attached to you like you’re some sort of filthy rich fairy godmother—no, sugar daddy—brother or whatever-the-fuck. You can’t solve everything with your money, you know. There are some things that money can’t buy, and the hearts of children who’ve experienced far more devastation and heartache than children ever should are one of them!”
I don’t know if I’m angry or surprised or both. I don’t know if I want to kiss those pouty lips of hers to silence her or take her across my knee for mouthing off and teach her to speak to her dom with respect.
“Excuse me? What the actual fuck are you talking about? I ordered pizza.”
“Oh, let me show you how to do that science experiment,” she mocks. “What kind of pizza do you like?” she flings at me. “Why don’t I—”
Now I’ve truly had enough of this. “Jesus, woman. This is bullshit. You’re making way too big a deal out of this.”
“What’s bullshit?” she tosses back at me. “I’m not playing, Liam. I never should have—”
It’s taking considerable effort not to raise my voice.
“That’s. Enough.” She freezes and looks at me with wide eyes, as if suddenly realizing she’s crossed a line. “You listen to me. I don’t care if you’re insecure about where you live or who you are, and you’re worried about your siblings. I went in there with literally no hidden agenda and actually fucking enjoyed my visit with Bailey and Ben until you flew off the handle.”
She blinks. “You did?”
“I did. I have no siblings. I grew up raised by nannies and in boarding schools with more money than I knew what to do with. I had horses when I was younger and cars when I was older, and a legacy to uphold. You may have been dealt a shit hand in life, but you know what? There are many types of poverty, Cora.”
This time, she says nothing, but she pales a little and seems to shrink in her seat. I’ve got a point to make, and hell, this girl is gonna listen.
“I may have had money, but I had no parents to care for me. I was an arrogant prick who had no friends, and no skills to obtain any. I’ve never had a romantic relationship of any kind, since the only types of interaction I have with women are the type I pay for. So fucking sue me for wanting one night of normal human interaction for Christ’s sake.”
Her eyes grow soulful and sad, as if she held a barrier and now she’s let it drop.
This girl. Christ, what she does to me.
“I—I didn’t know,” she says, “I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions. I’m sorry.”
“There are a lot of things you don’t know about me,” I say, my anger dwindling when she apologizes. “But one thing you do know, is that I don’t take too kindly to women who’ve agreed to submit to me telling me off for no good reason.”
“Um. I do know that,” she says, nodding, and hell if she isn’t fucking adorable.