“Alright, that’s enough, Zeus.” My dog looks at me like I’ve cut off one of his legs, but he gets up and goes to sprawl out by the fireplace.
“Meanie.” Othella rolls her eyes at me. “He wanted to be loved on. You should play with him more.”
So does my cock.I tamper down the thought and smile. “Yeah, yeah, come on. Let’s sit down at the table and chat for a moment.”
She huffs but doesn’t argue. As she slides into the seat, I have images of handcuffing her to the chair and eating her out, running through my mind.
“Look, I have three weeks left of college, and I’ll graduate with my master’s degree. My brother, Hamlet, has a job lined up for me at his firm.”
“You went into law?”
Othella laughs and shakes her head. “No, he’s an architect.”
That makes more sense. “And what did you major in?” I’m genuinely interested in this woman. The need to know morethan what my background check showed, which was nothing, is crawling through my brain.
“Business. I’ll be the department manager for marketing. Marketing isn’t really my thing, but it means I get to work with my brother.”
She loves him. Hamlet doesn’t know how lucky he is. “Ah, alright. There’s a few more things we need to discuss before we get you to the airport.”
I decide, right this second, to go through with my plan. She’s not going back to Florida to finish school.
“Are you going to press charges against me?” Othella beguiles me with her words.
“I’m in my right to do so. However, if you do everything I say, I will file no charges.” My voice holds a dark promise.Thump. Thump. Thump.My heartbeat pounds loudly in my ears. This is the moment I drown in the black hole of lawbreaking.
“Are you negotiating with me?” Her confusion is adorable. I stand and tower over her.
Pulling her up, I can see the desire she holds. Hell, shewantsto be kissed. Shit. I feel terrible, but I have to do this. “Oh, ladybug, this isn’t a negotiation. You will comply with every demand, or that precious college degree you are weeks away from obtaining will be out the window.”
The moment I say it, I regret it. The utter look of disbelief and the crushing anguish I see on her face makes me want to take it all back. Othella stands there, dumbfounded, with her mouth twisted in surprise.
Words keep spilling out of my mouth, making me the villain. “Your mother was going to allow Clyde to do things to you, yes?” This makes Othella jerk as anger flashes in her eyes.
“Well, you are going to allow me to do what I want. You’ll do every single thing I tell you or I’ll wreck your spotless image. Goodbye college degree and future.”
I’m a bastard. She doesn’t have to tell me, I already know. I should have let her think she was a nuisance and let her go. It’s too late for that now.
Chapter Seven
What?Seriously, what in the ever-loving fuck is going on? One moment I was ready for him to kiss me and the next, I wanted to punch him. Unadulterated hate oozes from me. “You sick bastard!”
I push him away from me, and he chuckles. Noah grabs my hair and brings me back to him. Noah forces me to look at him. Every time I close my eyes, he jerks my head until they pop back open. “You’ll see I’m not that heartless.”
Emotions that feel like knives whirling and cutting move through me. How could I be so damn naïve? Everyone in my life always wants something from me. I think I’m angrier at myself for believing that Noah was one of the good guys.
“Fuck you!” I yell at him. He smirks at me and walks me into another room. His house is rustic, but it’s well lived in. Before this conversation, I would have said I felt like I was home. Now? Now I just feel cold and scared.
“When you calm down, we will talk, and I’ll get you something to eat. Until then, get comfortable.” He backs out of the room.
I notice there are no windows or a bathroom. There’s a large bed in the middle and that’s it.Does he sleep here?
This room is boringas hell. It’s been hours since he left me. At least it feels like it. I’ve searched every corner of this room. I even looked under the bed and between the pillows. There’s nothing in here to use as a weapon. I stew as I walk back and forth along the far wall.
I’m not a killer, but if I could make a rope with the sheets, I could try to choke him. Gagging at the thought, I know that’s not an option for me. Why does this bedroom have no closet? Where’s the television?
The door opens and I throw my shoes at him. One right after the other. He dodges them and looks at me with amusement.
“I see your time here hasn’t changed your attitude.”
