Page 23 of No Control

Or he’ll show back up to my house.

That makes me shudder. Mason has never put his hands on me. Well, not really. The worst he’s done is shouting in my face, and he’s also thrown things in my general direction. However, he did lunge to grab me this morning…

And the expression on his face was unnerving.

“No coffee?” a voice cuts into my thoughts.

A chill runs down my spine. I force my eyes upward, taking in the god of a man standing above me. I swallow hard at the icy eyes looming over me.

Why is he so attractive, and yet so freaking intimidating?

He cocks a brow at me when I just stare at him in silence. “Okay...”

“Sorry,” I rip my eyes from his, my gaze falling to my hands. “It’s been a long day.”

“The day just started,” he chuckles, sliding into the seat across from me. His tone is so light, so indifferent, and I peek up at him, studying the strong structures of his face. His elongated, masculine nose, his strong jaw line, and his perfectly proportioned lips are the most prominent, but there’s also something about his aura that feels like a tantalizing spell might have been cast on me.

He's like the pied piper, drawing me in just to lead me to my death or something.

I swallow hard and try to shake it off. It’s crazy talk. “I’m sorry.”

“Why are you apologizing?” he counters, leaning back in the chair. We’re in a public place, but we might as well be alone. I can’t process anything in front of me other than this man…

And it’s a legit reminder of why this is a huge no.

“I don’t think it’ll work,” I blurt out, clasping my hands in my lap. “I don’t think it’s a good time for me to relocate.”

“Why’s that?” He makes this face like he thinks I’m full of shit—and I definitely am when it comes to my excuses.

“I have a dog,” I say stupidly.

“You can bring him.”

“You like dogs?”

“If they’re yours, I suppose.”

My heart flutters at his words, even if I have no idea how to take them—but I can’t let him sway me. So, I shake my head.

“I don’t understand.” His voice drops a notch. “If you’d like more compensation for the book, we can discuss that.”

My eyes widen. “It’s not about the compensation. In fact, I’d be fine with less compensation and I’ll write the book from here.”

His eyes narrow and he leans forward, giving me a strong whiff of his musky cologne. “Are you scared to leave this shithole?”

Well, now I’m offended.

He smirks. “You have a soft spot for this place—or have you just never left?”

Both.

I shift in my seat, gathering my last bit of courage. “I don’t think it really matters my reasonings. I would just prefer not to move in with a stranger for the duration of the job.”

His upper lip twitches in a way that makes my stomach knot up. Henry takes a long, deep breath. And if I didn’t know better, I would think what I said annoyed him.

“I just don’t feel comfortable with the arrangement,” I explain further, trying that whole honesty is the best policy belief.

He nods curtly. “So, what would make you comfortable, Lydia?”

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