Page 3 of Tempt Me

“Yay for me.”

Groaning, I swerved around her outstretched hand and collected the shit from my dresser. I shoved all the books and folders that needed to be indoctrinated for the day into my backpack.

Ignoring her jabs and ranting, I walked to the kitchen, snatched her burned toast from the table, and walked out the door.

Ferdinand stepped out from behind the pillars and reached for my arm. I gritted my teeth as he pulled me to the passenger side.

“Why did you make me wait, Pet?” His words were calm, but his grip was rough. “Women are useless without an education, darling. You don’t want to be useless to me, do you, Baby?”

I swallowed the response and instead sat down in my seat. My fiancé didn’t like that. Any disobedience was seen as a challenge to him.

He reached over and grabbed my chin, jerking me toward him. My eyes met his cool, collected glare. “Baby, what exactly are you wearing?”

I pulled my plaid skirt down further over my knees, the yellow and blue pattern matched the university, which would be my freedom from this conversation. “The required uniform.”

His disapproving gaze roved down my body, sending a chill up my spine and making goosebumps rise on my skin. “I don’t exactly have a choice…” I continued.

“You don’t have a choice? No decision in walking around looking like a whore for all those horny college boys to gawk at? No choice in protecting what’s mine?” His tone was now melding into a higher register, reserved for when he thought I was an idiot.

“Sorry, Baby. I will put on a jacket?” I said quickly, reaching the back of the seat to grab his black blazer.

Humming with approval, as I wrapped the material around my V-cut shirt, he reached over and stroked my leg. I tried to ignore the uneasy crawling on my skin and clipped the buttons closed, effectively hiding my curves and most of the skirt.

“Better, darling. You always protect my assets, understand me?”

Assets. That’s all I was. A possession. There was zero love on either side of this fucking arrangement. My hand was given without my consent or knowledge, all because of what makes this greedy world run…money.

I was forced to be the show pony and the prized cattle, branded by the bastard beside me so he would ensure my family continued to live their cushion-covered lives.

My father lost his fortune, and he and my mother were unable to continue their fake billionaire lifestyle. But during one of their many flashy, disgusting parties, they were able to auction me off to the highest bidder, and ding, ding, ding…Ferdinand Grosvenor, The Second, happened to be that monopoly man.

“What studies are you attending today, Pet?”

Gritting my teeth at the disgusting pet name, I racked my brain for what I was even doing today. “Uh, English 104, Photography Development…a music course, and some kind of psych class, I think.”

Tsking, he ran his hand over my chin. “You are a senior, darling. Don’t you feel that you should be doing more with your life? You can’t just run after every silly story you see with that dinosaur of a camera you wear. I expect my wife to do more for herself. Be better.”

I shifted in my seat, my fingers itching to hold my ‘dinosaur’ of a camera. It was the only thing that gave me any type of joy in my miserable, polished life.

I bit my tongue because the words about to bubble out of me would get me in trouble.And tell me, dear fiancé, pray tell…what is so esteemed to meet the standards of a trust fund baby who rides around with his Daddy’s money?

“Of course, dear.”

How could I already be this exhausted?

“Oh em gee! Fallon Summers, is that you?” The ear-piercing banshee shriek drew every eye to my location, and I unsuccessfully tried to hide. I shoved my body behind the metal, getting my clothes snagged on the rusted frame and leaving ugly black marks on my jacket.

“Oh…Hi, Kimmy. Long time no see.” I’d hoped I had put enough honey into my voice.

Kimmy Long was one of the socialites at the boat parties, and her father owned the boat shows that were going to happen in a few weeks. My father was particularly interested in doing business with Mister Long, so I was supposed to be the absolute best friend to this chaotic woman in front of me.

“Long time? No, no, no! Try more like a century! The last time I saw you was at your engagement party! How is Nandy?”

I snickered at the nickname, imagining my fiancé’s face when she called him that.

“Oh, he’s great. Grosvenor’s Inn is picking up a lot of traction. He said they are franchising as well.”

Kimmie’s eyes bugged, and she clapped her hands excitedly. “Oh wow! Congratulations are in order for you guys! You are so lucky to have such a successful partner and soon-to-be-husband! We have to celebrate soon.”

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