Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 84203 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84203 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
“Ummm…”
“We overslept,” Ellie says. “If you can just give her a few minutes, she’ll go get ready, and then you guys can be on your way.”
Micah stares at me for a long moment, and I can see his features change when he comes to the realization that he’s been had by the fifteen-year-old.
“You didn’t write that note, did you?” His voice is uncharacteristically vulnerable, and the words drift into my chest and wrap around my heart, squeezing it tightly.
When I shake my head, he chuckles.
“What do you think?” he asks Ellie, who’s standing to the side, gnawing on her bottom lip because she knows she’s fucked up. “Should I give her an out or convince her to take pity on me and go out with me anyway?”
Ellie’s eyes light up. “Pity date, for sure. I think once she’s out, she’ll have a good time.”
Micah nods in agreement. “All right, pity date it is,” he says. “Sienna…” He steps over to me, hitting me with the most pitiful puppy dog eyes I’ve ever seen. “It will absolutely devastate me if you don’t go on this date with me. So, will you please take pity on me and go?”
I stare at him, knowing if I say yes, it’s going to change everything. It goes against my rules, my plan. And I know that if I give in to him, if I let him suck me in, there’s no going back. He’s the type of man who gets what he wants and doesn’t settle for anything less than everything. He doesn’t just want a date with me. He wants to own me, possess me—my heart, my body, and everything in between. And there’s a chance he’s going to take it all, every part of me, and then destroy me, leaving me only a fraction of myself—just like my mother.
And for the first time, I understand why my mom allowed herself to get hurt by so many men. Why she continued to give herself over to them even though each one took a turn at destroying her.
Because despite knowing all that can go wrong, when a man looks at you the way Micah is looking at me right now, all common sense flies out the window, and you find yourself saying, “Yes, I’ll go out with you.”
CHAPTER NINE
MICAH
“You know what you did was wrong, right?” I say to Ellie once Sienna has disappeared into her room to get ready for our date.
“It was worth it,” Ellie says, zero remorse in her words. “Sienna deserves to go out and have fun. She’s always working and studying and dealing with our shitty mom. If I didn’t do something, she’d be alone forever.”
I chuckle at her dramatics. She’s still young, but I appreciate the push.
“So what are your plans to make my sister fall in love with you?” she asks, not mincing her words.
“Brunch and a movie. If you want to join—”
“No way.” She shakes her head in disgust. “I’m not playing third wheel on your date. Although—” a spark suddenly alights in her eyes “—if you want to get Lincoln to join, I’d be down for a double date.” She waggles her brows suggestively, and I bark out a laugh.
“Not happening. When you’re hungry, call for room service, and they’ll put it on my tab.”
“Thanks,” she says with a smile. Then she steps toward me, her features turning serious. “Sienna’s the way she is because our life has been a bit messed up. Our mom really is a piece of shit, and we’ve seen things we shouldn’t see. So, if you’re wanting to go out with her for the wrong reasons, let her go. She’s been through enough.”
I stare at this kid, who’s wise beyond her years, and I know it’s because what she’s saying is true. They’ve been through some serious shit, and they’ve had to grow up fast. To a certain extent I get it because my dad brought us into the business at a young age, so I’ve seen some crazy shit myself. But by the way Ellie is looking at me, I have a feeling the things they’ve been through goes so much deeper.
I’m about to tell her she doesn’t have to worry, that I have no intention of hurting her sister, when Sienna reappears, dressed in a pair of dark ripped jeans and a turquoise off-the-shoulder sweater with sandals on her feet. Her hair is up in a high ponytail, and her face is makeup free, except for a bit of gloss making her plump lips shiny.
“This is as good as it’s going to get,” she says with a shrug. “Didn’t bring any dress up clothes, so I hope you didn’t plan anything too extravagant.”
“You look beautiful,” I tell her, handing her the flowers I’ve been holding this entire time. “And don’t worry—” I lean in and whisper so her sister can’t hear “—you can be completely naked if you’d like for what I have planned.” I shoot her a wink and she glares, making me laugh.