“No, I’m not living with you until after we’re married,” she bites back. “And, so help me God, if you threaten my sister again, I will castrate you in your sleep.”
“I thought you weren’t going anywhere near me. How can you castrate me if you refuse to touch me?”
Adora climbs off the ladder and saunters over to me. “You have a sidepiece, do you not?” she asks, her whiskey eyes not leaving mine.
“Of course,” I tell her, even though I’m not sure where she’s going with this question.
“Well, I have many sidepieces, so let’s keep it that way.” She waves a finger between us. “And this can be a simple business transaction.” She smiles, and I grind my teeth.
“None of your fucks are allowed into my house,” I bark at her, trying to keep my voice even, showing I am not losing my cool.
“That goes for you as well. This house… your house, as you put it… is a no-go for your little hoes too.”
“Deal,” I say, sealing it with a firm nod.
“Good. Now, I get to choose the color for your suit.”
I start shaking my head, but she purses her lips, cutting me off. “Blue. You can be my something blue.”
“Done.”
“And—”
“You don’t get to make demands in this situation,” I cut her off.
Her lashes flutter as she looks at me with a devilish smile. “Oh, but I do. Isn’t it fun to do this? Can you wear something pink for me?”
“Then you will wear something red for me,” I reply, crossing my arms over my chest.
“Like?” She mimics my movement, crossing her arms, her finger tapping her lips in mock interest.
“I’ll think of something, don’t worry.”
“I am worried. I see your imagination, and it’s dull… very dull.” She spins on the spot, taking in all the books again, her hair whipping around her as she does. “I want this room.”
“I told you, you can have it.” I start pacing back and forth.
“I want my own bedroom as well.” It’s not a request from her lips, more like an order.
“No. You will sleep in my bed,” I tell her firmly, watching as she continues to look over every book’s spine.
“I am not going to fuck you.” Her head turns to spare me a glance, that smirk now firmly back in place. She thinks this is funny, but it irritates the fuck out of me. Then she looks away as if I am meaningless.
Walking over to her, I bend down so I am close to her ear. “You will. It’s just a matter of time.” I watch as goosebumps litter her skin.
“If you say so,” she singsongs.
SIX
ADORA
After last night, I found my own way home, and convinced him I can get my shit myself. Even though he insisted he’d take me, I figured it was best he didn’t. It’s a lot to take in, considering I had thought I had gotten away with it all. Not having to fulfill the contract, keeping Abigail safe from this life—I was wrong.
If he hadn’t found out about Abigail, I would have fought him tooth and nail. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. I love my little sister, and the best thing I ever did was get her out of that place.
The bell over the door jingles, and Lucas enters with Chanel by his side. She walks straight over to me and gives me a quick cuddle before she wanders off to the dark romance books. Which is ironic since she is basically living one of her very own. She’s grown to love the genre, though, thanks to Lucas.
“Seems you have been pissing off Joey,” Lucas remarks, straight-faced, but I can hear it in his voice that it makes him happy.
“He does that all by himself,” I retort, smiling.
“Oh, I have no doubt. So you said yes to the big day, even after you told me that it would never happen.”
“He found my sister,” I tell him.
“Joey is good at finding people, which makes me wonder why he never looked you up.” Chanel places a book on the counter. Lucas eyes it, then asks me, “Which kink will I be expected to experiment with tonight?” Chanel blushes as I pick up the book.
“This one is cutting,” I answer, and Lucas shakes his head.
“You are not to shed a single fucking drop of blood, do you understand?” Lucas says as Chanel takes the book from me.
“Thanks. If you get any new ones, can you hold them for me?” She hands me cash, even though she doesn’t have to. Lucas puts money into the business and barely takes any out. He takes a few books every couple of months. Now it’s Chanel, but she pays every single time.
“Will do.”
“Adora…” We all turn to see Becca standing there, phone in hand and short blonde hair pushed back. She’s dressed in tight jeans and a fitted pink shirt, which shows a bit of cleavage.
“You must be the one who was between Adora’s legs,” Lucas comments, and Chanel hits him in the stomach. He grunts and shrugs.
Becca’s face goes bright red as she looks toward the door, then back to me. “Can we talk?”
I give her a slight nod before Chanel pulls Lucas out the door. When they’re gone, Becca steps up to the counter, and her delicate hands touch the countertop. Her nails are painted pink to match her shirt.
“What’s up?” I ask, confused as to why she’s here.
“Look, I don’t normally do this, or even what we did the other day…” She glances back at the bookshelf where she ate me out. “But I wanted to know if you would like to go on a date with me.”
“You want to date me?”
“Yes, if you would be willing.”
“But…” My brows pinch together. “I’ve got all kinds of issues. I’m not sure you really want to.”
Her green gaze falls to her hands. “I do, though. I like you.”
“You don’t know me.”
“This is true, but I can see that you’re pushing through this thing we call life just the same as I am.”
“Becca, you are beautiful… stunning even. Are you sure you want this? You could go and find a normal, healthy girl to take you on a date. Trust me when I say that would be better for you. My life...” I shake my head. “It’s about to get real messy.”
“No.”
“No, what?”
“No, I would not like to find someone else. I have a connection with you that I have never had with anyone else. I did something I would never have done in a million years because it felt right. You made me feel these things are right, when all my life I was raised to believe they are wrong. This isn’t wrong.” She waves between us as she finishes speaking.
I feel butterflies take flight in my stomach. What’s the worst that could happen?
“Okay, but you can’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“Tonight?” she asks, a smile edging on her beautiful lips.
“Sure,” I reply, shrugging. She hands me her phone, and I type in my number before handing it back to her. Then she rings it, and my phone lights up.
“Now you have mine.” Her smile is contagious as she walks to the door, then looks back. “Should I pick you up?”