Page 10 of The Inn Dilemma

“You play the part of a good girl well. But I know that deep down there’s something a little more reckless waiting to be unleashed.” Justin licks his lips.

I take a step back, and that unease from earlier returns and sets off alarm bells. I turn my head in search of anyone who can help me escape this downward spiral of a situation, but instead of taking the hint, Justin grabs my wrist and tugs me forward. A slow song starts playing over the speakers, and he pulls me flush against him as we sway to the music.

“I’m not really a dancer,” I say with a little laugh.

“You seem to move perfectly fine to me,” he whispers in my ear, leading us deeper into the dance floor where couples are gathering. “You know, I’ve seen you at these functions for a while now, but am glad I finally got to meet you. It always felt like you were off-limits, though. I was pleasantly surprised when your dad introduced us.”

“I’m-I’m flattered,” I lie. “But I should probably get back?—”

He pulls me tighter against him and cuts me off. “Uh uh uh, you’re not goinganywhere.”

I pinch my eyes closed as his hand drifts lower, my throat tightening with tension. I mentally curse Dad for putting me in this situation. There’s always an ulterior motive with him, and even though he wouldn’t approve of me going somewhere private with Justin or of the guy’s wandering hands, he would want me to dance with Justin to keep him happy.

Two more years, I tell myself. Justtwo more yearsuntil I can escape this gilded prison and forge my own path. I don’t know if I’ll go off to college or do something else, but this isn’t the life I want for myself. I can do more. Be more.

Just as hope starts to fill my chest, Justin practically purrs in my ear, “You look so good in this dress.” His hand slides further down my back. “I bet you’d look even better?—”

Before he can finish his thought or his hand can drift any lower, he’s pulled away and a familiar deep voice asks, “Mind if I cut in?”

Christian expertly twirls me out of Justin’s grip and narrows his eyes at Justin.

“Who are you?” Justin scowls.

“Her brother,” Christian answers.

Holt swoops in from out of nowhere. “Let’s go for a little walk.” Holt’s tone leaves no room for argument as he throws an arm around Justin’s shoulder. Without a fight, the creep nods his agreement.

The moment Justin is out of sight, I release the breath I had been holding. Chris and I step off the dance floor, and he places his hands gently on my shoulders.

Looking down at me with an expression full of concern, he asks, “Are you okay?”

“Yeah,” I mutter.

“What was he saying to you?”

“Nothing I haven’t heard from a dozen other guys.”

By his expression, Chris gets it. Dad has been setting him up with women whose parents will benefit the business since he could drive. I have to assume Chris is as repulsed by it as I am. But just like everything else, we need to prioritize the business and keep Dad happy.

“You’re more than their comments. You know that, right?”

I nod.

Chris cracks his knuckles and stretches his neck from side to side. “And I’m always here if you need me to beat the guy up.”

I give him as real a smile as I can muster, only partially believing him.

After Mom and Dad are sleeping soundly in their separate rooms, I wander into the living room, where I find Chris and Holt drinking my sweet tea out of mugs and watching a Rocky movie.

I hover in the doorway, trying to decide between retreating to my room and diving into one of my books or asking if I can stay and watch Sylvester Stallone at the peak of his career.

Holt notices me first.

“Hey, Nova. Want to come finish the movie with us?” he asks.

Leaning against the doorway casually, I say, “I thought you two would be at Chris’s apartment by now.”

Christian shrugs. “Sometimes it’s nice to just behome. Besides, my carpets are getting shampooed and my floors polished.”

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