Page 17 of Mr. Risky

I wasn’t falling for that shit again. I wasn’t falling for a charming smile, fucking messy blonde hair, goddamn bright blue eyes.

Hayden seemed inclined to linger at the door, wanting to be asked inside, but I pled tiredness.

Suddenly it didn’t seem so small and cozy in here.

What renovations had Granger done?

I walked carefully around the small guesthouse. Maybe I was being paranoid, but I was going to make sure each of these windows were locked.

Normally I would love to leave the windows open all night long to hear the waves crashing on the beach, but I suddenly felt horribly exposed out here with no one else around but the cliff behind me and the ocean in front.

It would be nice to see the sunrise, but I pulled the curtains across dark windows.

I didn’t want to think about who or what could be out there.

But somehow the wind seemed to whisper at me.

Ssssssluttttttt slut slut slut

My cheeks burned.

What would Pippa think if she knew her husband had forced me to swallow his spit?

My heart pounded as I locked the front door behind me.

I needed a cold shower.

My skin was heated, flushed all over.

Upstairs, I slithered out of my dress, carefully hanging it up so I wouldn’t make anyone mad on my first day as a Siren. Wouldn’t want to bring it back all wrinkly.

Forcing myself to breathe, I took a deep breath, then let it out.

What was wrong with me?

I had to stop jumping at shadows.

I had three whole months here, and I needed to pace myself. If I was careful, I could avoid Granger as much as possible.

Surely that wouldn’t be too hard. And if I had Hayden or someone else walk me home every day, I wouldn’t have to worry about him accosting me when there was no one else around.

The water was warm. Maybe after all a bath would be better, and I trailed my hands through the old-fashioned clawfoot tub, willing the tension to relax from my muscles.

But into the silence there was a sudden crash, and I whirled around.

What the fuck was that?

I didn’t see anything. Something falling downstairs?

Calm down, Sosie. After all, the doors and windows were all locked.

I looked nervously around again, and saw a shampoo bottle lying on the ground.

Ah, that’s what it had been.

I reached down for it, the steamy water still pouring into the tub, and felt two strong hands on my hips.

“Aaaaahh, what the hell!”