This isn’t me. I don’t just fuck around. My mind is always on my job and making sure the business runs smoothly. I wasn’t looking for a girl, but maybe that’s because I’ve never met a girl like this one before. I have never wanted anyone as much as I want her, and that throws me.

We eat our lunch in silence and my phone rings. I like to spend more time with her, maybe learn more about her, but this call is important. With a groan, I stand up to excuse myself.

“What do I do now? Do you have any more tasks for me?”

“Take the dogs out to run and exercise them for an hour or so. Just play with them. That’s all. Quick warning. They’ll run you ragged and you’re going to come out a sweaty mess.”

“Sounds like fun.” She grins and I clench my hands so I don’t reach out, cup her face, and taste her lips.

I leave her on the patio even if all I want to do is strip her naked, memorize her curves and dips, and mark her as mine.

5

CASSIDY

Ioverslept again today.

Chris must think I’m the laziest person alive. Between spending half the night thinking about him, my situation, and what the future holds, plus the decadence of this bedroom, I can’t seem to get myself moving in the morning.

He hasn’t said anything about it, though. If I didn’t know better, I’d think he paces the kitchen floor waiting for me every morning.

I put on a pair of denim shorts and a white top that ties in the front. The shorts are a bit shorter than those I normally wear, but the boutique didn’t have anything longer. I haven’t been keeping up with the latest styles, which I suppose Sarah found rather amusing.

The smell of freshly brewed coffee drifts through the first floor and hits my senses as I descend the stairs. Someone is milling around in the kitchen and feel myself getting excited about the idea of seeing Chris, but when I turn the corner, I see one of his henchmen helping himself to a cup of coffee. Chris is nowhere to be seen.

“Good morning,” the man says. He openly stares at my legs and licks his lips.

“Morning.” I turn to leave, suddenly feeling more than uncomfortable. I’ve been alone with Chris so many times, but I’ve never felt unsafe with him. Not like right now.

“Don’t be shy, little darling. Come on and get yourself some coffee. Here, I’ll even pour it for you.” He pours a second cup and holds it out to me. I reach for it and he wraps his hand over mine. The only reason I don’t pull my hand back is because I’m scared of spilling hot coffee on myself. “I said don’t be shy. What’s your name, pretty girl?”

“Get out.” Chris’ voice is low and menacing behind me.

The man turns white as a ghost and retracts his hand.

“S-sorry, boss. I was just saying good morning.”

Chris rests his hand on my shoulder and gently pushes me to the side. The man is near his height so they’re eye to eye when Chris fists his collar and lifts him off the ground. “No one comes anywhere near her except me. Who the fuck do you think you are chatting with her and touching her like she’s not my guest?”

“I got it, boss. I-I didn’t know,” the man stutters.

“Get out.” He doesn’t wait for Christ to repeat that order. The man shuffles toward the back door, not even looking back.

Chris straightens his back and turns his attention to me. “Don’t speak to them. If they speak to you, you come and tell me and I’ll handle it.”

“I tried to leave but…”

“But what? He forced you to take that cup from him?”

“I was trying to be polite.”

“Don’t. These aren’t polite men. These are dangerous criminals with even more dangerous appetites. You don’t owe them anything. I’ll let them know this house is off-limits to them.”

“I’m sorry.”

“If you do it again, I might need to punish you.”

“Are you mad at me?”