Page 19 of Lords of Misrule
“I have your gun. You still want it back, right?” She softens the look on her face but her eyes dance with a taunt.
Fucking hell.
“What do you want?”
“A place to put my clothes and somewhere I can sleep with a proper door when I need to. Preferably not a couch.”
Finn gives me a meaningful look over her shoulder. One that tells me to play along for the sake of peace.
“Fine.” I practically growl the word. I start up the steps and turn back when she doesn’t follow. “You coming?”
She reluctantly trails behind, and I imagine she’s regretting her decision already. She was probably hoping Finn or Hudson would come to her rescue again. That I’d relent and let her and Finn start playing house. I open the door to my room and usher her in. She stops just inside the threshold and looks around, turning back to look at me.
“Is this your room?”
“Yes. I have a big closet. I only use half of it, you can put your shit in there.” I move toward it, opening the door and turning on the light. The place we live in is off campus, and I’m fairly certain it was owned by a family before this. My room, the master, is set up for a couple. There’s a large his and hers closet. A bathroom with a shower made for two and a big soaking tub. It definitely wasn’t designed for someone like me, and she’s taking that in with interest.
“Okay... Thank you.”
“Don’t bother with the niceties. Where’s the gun?”
“I don’t have it with me, but I’ll bring it to you.”
“Tonight.”
“Tomorrow.”
“Tonight.”
We stare at each other for a minute, but she relents from arguing.
“Fine. Where can I sleep when the couch isn’t available?”
“Here.” I point to my bed.
“So you can murder me in my sleep?”
“I need you until we finish this job. So until then, you can assume I won’t murder you.”
“Seems like a big assumption.”
“Probably is. Especially when you run your fucking mouth.”
“Why won’t you just let me sleep in Finn’s bed? Less inconvenient for you, and I’d feel safer.”
“Oh, I’m sure you would feel safer.” I laugh, and she narrows her eyes. “I told you why. I don’t need you fucking my guys and clouding their heads. I don’t need you getting attached ‘cause one of them sticks his dick in you once and you decide you’re in love.”
She rolls her eyes. “That’s ridiculous. So what then? You can fuck me, and it’ll be fine?”
“You offering, Duchess?” I smirk.
“No.”
“I don’t have the same weaknesses they do. I don’t feel bad for anyone—least of all you.”
“Perfect. I don’t need anyone’s pity—least of all yours.”
“Good. Put your shit away and then go get my gun.” I turn and leave the room, too happy to put some distance between the two of us. Because despite what I say, the woman makes me want to fucking pin her against a wall and fuck her hard.
