Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 61767 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 309(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61767 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 309(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
By the time we get back to the condo, I’m too tired to cook anything, so I order us pizza while Georgie somehow commandeers his crush, aka Drew the IVI guard, to help him assemble the cribs.
“He’s got a talent for that.” Solana watches in amusement from the kitchen as they sort through the pieces on the floor, Georgie pretending he has a clue what he’s doing.
“He can smooth talk his way into anything.” I roll my eyes.
Solana brings a piece of red licorice to her lips, chomps on it, and nods. “So what do you think the chances are Georgie will have that guard out of his black cargo pants by the end of the night?”
I snort. “I would say pretty good with the way they keep eyeing each other. But it won’t go over too red-hot with Santiago if it happens while the guard’s on duty.”
“Makes sense.” Solana sighs, her eyes drifting somewhere distant. “Although it would be nice if one of us was getting laid.”
I feel my face flush at the reminder of Judge fucking me in my entryway last night, but I figure it’s probably best not to bring that up.
“I’m sure you could find plenty of willing volunteers.” I turn my attention to her.
She shrugs. “I guess. But they’re all boring. I need a challenge. Someone who can handle me, you know?”
I laugh and shake my head absently as my phone chimes with a message. My stomach drops when I see that it’s from Judge.
You transferred your phone number?
Why it should surprise me that he’s aware of this already, I don’t know. Regardless, I decide it’s best not to answer.
“Hey.” Solana’s voice brings me back to the present, and when I look up at her, she’s chewing on the end of her licorice in thought. “What’s up with Judge’s brother?”
I feel the color drain from my face as I study her. “Theron?”
She pauses her chewing, clearly concerned. “What is it?”
“He’s an asshole,” I declare, a little too emphatically. “Why do you ask?”
“Is that supposed to be a surprise?” She arches a brow in question. “I’m guessing it’s a family trait.”
“It’s not the same.” I shake my head and force down a gulp of water from my glass. “Theron is a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”
“How so?” Solana presses.
Her curiosity about him concerns me. I know she met him briefly at Judge’s office, and she’s mentioned several times she thought he was an asshole herself. Yet there’s a glint in her eyes right now that I need to quash. I never intended to tell her what happened in that punishment room, but she needs to get him out of her thoughts before she goes any further down that rabbit hole.
“He’s got issues,” I say. “Addiction, for starters. I’m not really sure, but there’s something dark in him. I just know you can’t trust him. He seems lovely and charming at first. That is until he’s high out of his mind, restraining you to a bench so he can whip your ass.”
“Oh, my god.” Her eyes widen in shock, but I can see I’ve only sparked her curiosity more.
“It wasn’t that kind of whipping,” I clip out. “Nothing was sexy about it, and I didn’t want it. I didn’t ask for it.”
“Oh.” She frowns, swallows, and shakes her head. “God, babe, I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I figure there’s only so much fucked up you can take at a time.”
“The world you live in is different,” she mutters. “That’s for sure. But you don’t have to handle me with kid gloves. I’m here to listen, always.”
I feel better having told her, and I hope I got through to her, but something is still lingering in her thoughts. It makes me nervous because I don’t want Solana getting twisted up in the warped world of IVI, especially with someone like Theron. But there’s one thing I know about her. She’s strong-willed, intelligent, and feisty… yet she has another side. A darker side. She’s made that remark more than once about wanting a man who can handle her. Translation… she likes the dominant type. Someone who will be the alpha and try to put her in her place. That’s what she meant about a challenge. And from what I’m gathering, she’s sensed those qualities in Theron. I just hope she doesn’t cross his path again because I doubt I’ll be able to stop her from wanting a taste, even if he’s not good for her.
My phone chimes again, and I consider ignoring it because I’m certain it’s Judge. But Solana isn’t helping to divert me by her own distracted thoughts, so I check it. And I’m surprised to see it’s the last person I’d expect. Clifton Phillips. It’s strange, considering I haven’t heard from him since the night of that insane dinner at Judge’s house. Yet here he is, texting me like no time has passed, asking if he can take me out. I reply with a polite thank you and decline the offer. But that doesn’t seem to deter him because he’s texting me again a moment later.