Page 24 of Puck with Karma
“I need to make a phone call,” I now tell Abby. “Actually, two.”
I rush into the bedroom, dragging her behind me as I go.
“What’s happening?” She tries to pull her hand away, but I refuse to let go. “I don’t even know why I’m here.”
I ignore her and walk us into the én-suite bathroom. With her hand still firmly in mine, I stop in front of the huge bathtub that’s against one wall, in front of a picture window.
“Wow, that’s…” She is not trying to get away from me anymore. “Very impressive.”
“A little different than the bathroom you have on your floor?” I tease her.
I know for a fact there’s no comparison. Now that I know she works for the Cats, I understand why they gave her an apartment in this building. But given her position there, no way they gave her anything luxurious.
“Definitely different,” she whispers.
I turn on the knob for the hot water, then turn on the cold water, waiting until I am satisfied with the temperature.
“Am I supposed to just take a bath in your tub? By myself?”
She is making me laugh.
“Babe, don’t you worry. I plan on joining you.” I grab her by the head and give her a hard kiss on the lips.
Just as I’m about to walk out, I take a look back. She is standing by the tub, steam from the hot water starting to form around her, giving her an ethereal look.
“I’ll be right back,” I promise. “Get comfortable.”
Wondering if she’ll actually do it, I head back out, then walk to where I dropped my coat on the floor earlier. I dig my cell phone out of the pocket and look up my sister’s number. Disappointment floods me when I get her voicemail.
“Janie.” My voice sounds a lot harsher than intended. “This is Xander. Call me when you get this.”
Only after I hang up, I realize that I could’ve wished her a happy birthday in the voicemail as well. At least she’d know I was thinking about her.
My next call is the one I dread. I am about to cancel plans with my father, and he will not be happy in the least.
“Xander.” It’s like he was waiting for me to call. The phone didn’t even get to the second ring. “I hope you are on your way to meet me.”
I clear my throat, gathering the courage to stand up to the man who’s been controlling my life from the second I was born.
“I’m not coming.”
Chapter 9
Abby
I remain standing in the bathroom of the man who managed to give me close to a concussion. And a good scare before that. Not to mention, he was incredibly rude to me, and he broke my phone.
He also took my breath away with his way too short kisses. Right before he almost pulled my hair out of my head. It’s not my real hair, but still, it hurt so bad, I was ready to cut it off just to get out of it.
I smile at the memory from only minutes ago. Had it happened to someone else, I would’ve laughed my head off. I touch the spot where my hair pulled, feeling self conscious about the tapes that I showed him. But he didn’t comment on it.
The steam rising from the hot water in the tub is starting to warm me up a little. I feel much better now, but my toes are still extremely cold, and the shoes I have on are uncomfortable.
By now, I know that it would be stupid of me to trust Xander. At the same time, I want to take that chance. I’ve always beena good daughter, followed my parents’ wishes regarding my wellbeing.
This would be my chance to follow my heart. And my heart wants to experience all the wild kisses Xander Hamilton is capable of giving me.
I am shaking from head to toe when I bend over to undo the side zipper on my ankle boots.
