Total pages in book: 55
Estimated words: 52190 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 261(@200wpm)___ 209(@250wpm)___ 174(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52190 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 261(@200wpm)___ 209(@250wpm)___ 174(@300wpm)
I nod. “Clear.” I agree as he steadies me back on my own feet. “You won’t snoop?”
He shrugs, looking at the phone, then me. “Trust, remember? I’ll trust you not to take the phone from here and you’ll trust me not to snoop.”
As he reaches to tuck my hair behind my ear, I lean forward, pressing my body against his, my hand at my hip. I can’t help myself. I reach down, grinning to find him hard.
But he pushes my hand away and takes a step back, staring at me.
“I’ll never take advantage of you, Kitty, not even if you beg,” he says. There’s no denial that he’s turned on. No attempt to put the blame on me. Just a statement of fact. “If I don’t think something is in your best interests, it’s not going to happen. Now, tell me why you were recording us.”
I flinch. He’s not accusing, he’s just asking, but my conscience pricks me in the ass. “I don’t know.”
“Yes, you do. Tell me.”
I meet his eyes. Those strong, deep eyes. Eyes that could anchor me in a storm.
I shrug. “I was hoping to get some leverage on you. I don’t like being helpless.”
“Do you feel helpless?”
“Actually, no, not really. I feel safe. I…” I swallow, forcing myself to go ahead. To cleanse myself of sin. “I’m sorry.”
And my world lights up as he blesses me with a smile. “Good girl.”
Good girl.
Why do those words make me feel like purring? Why do I want so desperately to please him?
“I think we’re done for today. You should go and relax. Shower if you like, change your clothes, do some reading. If you wish to leave the building for a walk or any reason, you must let me know.”
I nod. “Yeah, these clothes need a wash. I didn’t even change this morning. I was mad. These are the clothes from last night—"
“We’re going to burn them,” he says. “You need to wash off that asshole that touched you. Put on your safest, most comfortable clothes and we’re going to order pizza for dinner.”
“Pizza?” I laugh. “Isn’t that like a sin? Gluttony?”
“Only if we eat the whole thing. Even then, what is forgiveness for if not for sinning?” His eyes flash with humor. “What’s your favorite movie, Kitty?”
“Chocolat.”
“Well then, that’s the plan. Pizza and Chocolat. I’ll come get you in an hour. What do you like on your pizza? It’s ladies’ choice.”
I nod. “Ham. And…” I hesitate. What I’m about to say has alienated more people than religion itself. “Pineapple.”
I wait. This is it. This is where the rubber meets the road.
I steel myself for the grimace. For the oratory on how pineapple doesn’t belong on pizza but instead, he blinks, teeth denting his bottom lip on a nod. “You are heavenly, Kitty Tennant. Heavenly.”
I let the laugh I should hold back go in a belly jiggling burst. “Thank you…for being on the right side of the pineapple-on-pizza debate. I trust you more already.” He keeps his focus on me, sniffing as I see his jaw harden, then I add, “Not just for pineapple, but for listening. That’s the first time in ages anyone’s listened to what I said rather than just waiting to speak. Can I ask you for something?”
“Of course. If it’s in my power, I’ll do it.”
“The journal… If trust goes both ways, then you should have one too. I should be able to ask you things as well. Things that you’ll answer without fear of repercussions.”
He freezes, shoulders pulling back as his chest inflates, cheeks hollowing as his lips part and I want to taste them. Especially after eating pineapple pizza.
“For you, Kitty, I’ll grant your request.”
“Great,” I say, the clenching in my chest easing a little even as sorrow tightens my windpipe as I think of how I’ll be sleeping without Baby for the first time in years. “One other thing…since you have my phone, do you have…” I measure my words, but decide he’s in a giving mood and launch my request. “See, I’m sort of a Zelda fanatic. It’s something I do that is fun. Like, simple fun, you know?”
He nods. “I happen to be a fan. I may not look it, but I’ve kicked some pretty high level ass on Zelda Lots of the students that stay here play. But, be warned, I like to win and I won’t throw the game to make you feel better. I’m ruthless.”
I choke on a giggle. The vision of Father Martin, wielding the controller and battling me for first place makes my heart happy.
He points to the door. “Now, off you go. Go get showered and put on your comfiest clothes. I’ll meet you in the common room in an hour.”
I skip and float back to my room.
The heaviness from this morning floats away as I shut the door to my quarters and dive through the bathroom door, twisting the brass handle on the enclosed shower and getting a spray of cold water on my face before I can get out of the way.