Page 148 of His White Moonlight
“Why do you want the bankbook if I’m willing to pay your tuition?”
Frustration got the better of me, and I pushed away from him.He caught my hand and pulled it back to his chest.
“Keep playing your game with me, Wrenly,” he said.
I was about to say something aggressively rude when he added, “I’ll give you another five grand.”
“Why?”
“You’ve never shown me the softer, coaxing Wrenly before.I want to see where this goes.”
I set aside my toast and debated my next move while he studied me.
“Do you know how hard it is to control my temper around you?”I asked finally.“I’ve told you so many times what I want.Freedom.Yet, it’s what you keep denying me.Why can’t I access the money I’m earning?What do you think I’m going to do with it?Is it that bad for me to want to be in control of paying my own tuition?”
He groaned, closed his eyes, and set his forehead against mine.He breathed in deeply, and his fingers teased my hairline.Then he was holding my face firmly and bringing his lips toward mine.
My heart slammed into overdrive.I gripped his wrists as I tried to pull free from his hold.
He stopped advancing and opened his eyes.We were too close for me to focus properly, and I was too panicked.
“When are you going to stop fearing me?”
I kicked his shin.It hurt like a bitch, but at least he grunted and released me.I grabbed my toast, turned on my heel, and started for the front door.
“Five hundred dollars cash for letting me follow you today.”
His words stopped me.
“You give me the cash before the dinner, or I don’t go tonight.”
“Deal.”
Taking another bite of my toast, I continued toward the front door.Bennett followed.
I didn’t hate that he was with me.But there were plenty of other things that I did hate.That he was even needed.That I still lived in the big house.That I couldn’t escape yet.
As far as runs went, it was a decent one once we left Alpine Run.I set an aggressive pace—for me, not for Bennett—and I didn’t turn around until we hit five miles.When I saw the gate ahead, I slowed to a jog then walked back to the house.
“Do you usually run ten miles?”Bennett asked.
“I try to get a longer run in at least once a week,” I said, stretching as I removed my shoes.“Usually, three to five miles is enough.Depends on how much time I have.”
“What do you usually eat after a long run?”
“Anything works.”
“Over-easy eggs, hash browns, and bacon sound good?”
As I straightened, I nodded.“Really good.”
“It’ll be ready by the time you’re done with your shower.”
The endorphins from the run that kept me mellow lasted through the shower and to the dining table, where breakfast and Bennett waited.He hadn’t showered or changed, but he hadn’t been sweaty like I had.
Five one-hundred-dollar bills were fanned out next to my plate as he held out my chair for me.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
