Total pages in book: 52
Estimated words: 49388 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 247(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49388 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 247(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
“Oh?” Thane responds, his tone suggesting his interest is piqued at this unexpected turn of events. “Now this is fascinating.”
Tarian’s uncle appears to be happy with my outburst. I wish I could take my words back. I want to shove them so far down my throat they’ll never see the light of day again, but I can’t, so now I’ll have to live with the consequences.
“I don’t have any claim on her,” Tarian replies directly to Thane. “But she’ll soon be a Crown, and if you hurt her—”
“I don’t intend to hurt her, Nephew,” Thane chuckles. “But I can’t deny I’d love to see how she looks lying on her back, legs spread open like the whore she is, while I lick her sweet cunt.”
“I’m not a whore,” I grit out before shoving his hand away from my leg. “And you’ll only ever see me fully clothed and sitting or standing in your company. I will never go anywhere near your bed.” My words are fire, burning my tongue as they escape.
The desire I see in Thane’s eyes scorches me, and I know he has the power to do anything he wants.
Would he force me?
Would Thane Calvert take something I’m not willing to give?
Tarian stares at me for a long while before he nods slowly and replies, “She’s not mine to give or mine to refute.”
I refuse to let Tarian see any emotion in my expression, even though his words are like a blade to my heart. I don’t understand why they’re bothering me so much. I knew from the start what I was getting into with him. I willingly walked into this situation, and I have no one to blame but myself.
“In which case, I’d like to take the whore out for a meal tonight,” Thane announces. Then turning to me he says, “Apologies for my bluntness. I’d like to invite this beautiful young woman to join me for dinner this evening.” His dark gaze locks on mine. He leans in closer, and his spicy cologne assaults me again. “Would you like that, Grecia Birchwood?”
I’m limited to how far away from him I can get, but I shuffle to the opposite end of the bench seat, and curling myself up against the door, I spit out, “I refuse your invitation. I don’t eat with monsters.”
CHAPTER 10
TARIAN
I don’t know why I’m jealous.
No, that’s a lie. I know exactly why I’m jealous.
My feelings for Grecia are growing. She’s constantly in my thoughts, and that’s not a good thing. I’ve spent months keeping her at arm’s length, so I can’t falter now.
She may not be mine, but it doesn’t mean I want anyone else to have her, and especially not Thane. If he comes near her again, he’s a fucking dead man.
I can’t claim her, because I’m not good enough for her. And these feelings I have for her aren’t real, and they’re nothing to worry about. At least, that’s what I’m trying to convince myself as I watch her recoil from him.
The drive through the streets of New Orleans reminds me of the vacations we used to spend here when I was young. Visiting my uncle was always exciting because we got to see the Mardi Gras parades. Also, Thane is closer in age to me than he was to my father, so he was always good fun to be with. But now as we travel to his home, I want nothing more to do with this city or my uncle.
Leaving the central part of New Orleans behind, the car weaves along the winding road toward the mansion I fell in love with as a boy. Finally, we come to a stop outside Thane’s opulent home that spans three floors, and he immediately flings the car door open and exits the vehicle.
Grecia’s gaze locks on mine for a moment, and I wonder if she can see the jealousy in my eyes. Can she see my rage? I might not have given her what she so clearly wants—me. But I’ll die before I allow my uncle to claim her.
“I’m not yours, Tarian. You have made that very clear,” Grecia addresses me while we’re still seated in the car. “So don’t get all protective and play the hero. That’s not what I need.”
She doesn’t wait for my response. Instead, she steps out of the car and follows Thane to the front entrance of his home, leaving me shaking with barely controlled fury, fueled by jealousy.
I’m at the front door moments after Grecia joins Thane. I watch him guide her into the house, and I can’t ignore the fact that his hand is resting on her lower back. However, I note she’s completely rigid with her spine straight and unmoving. She nods at something he says, and I watch as Thane chuckles in response. He’s turning on the charm, and I have to restrain my anger…for now.