“I love what you’ve done with the place,” Celeste said.
Was she for real?
She lived in a goddamn mansion while me and Grams lived in a single trailer that had seen better days. Sure, we kept it clean and tidy, but there was no disguising the old paint jobs and peeling wallpaper.
“That’s very kind of you, dear. Zane is a great help with maintaining the place.”
“I’m going for a smoke.” I went to get up, but she pinned me with a hard look.
“You’ll do no such thing. I believe Celeste brought pie.”
“I did.”
“Zane, show Celeste where the bowls are.”
“But—”
“Zane Thackeray!”
Celeste fought a smile, only making the anger churning inside me rise higher.
“Come on,” I said, not bothering to wait for her as I moved to the kitchenette. Reaching up, I grabbed three bowls from the cabinet. “Here you—” I turned, practically bumping into her.
“God, sorry. I’m such a klutz,” she said, grabbing my arm to steady herself.
The air crackled again as my gaze dropped to where she held me. “S-sorry.” She snatched her hand away, tucking some hair behind her ear. It drew my eyes to the slope of her neck, the creamy skin there.
Fuck.
She was too close. All up in my space, infecting my thoughts. Poisoning my common sense. Because I wanted to kiss her again. I wanted to push her up against the wall and lose myself in her sweet, needy kisses. The soft curves of her body.
It wasn’t supposed to be like this.
I hated her.
I did.
But I also wanted her. I wanted to corrupt her.
Ruin her. To dirty up her squeaky-clean image.
I wanted to knock the rich little princess off her pedestal.
“Zane?”
I blinked, dragging my eyes to hers. Instantly regretting it. Lust swirled in her inky blue depths.
“What are you thinking about?” I drawled, unable to resist the urge to toy with her.
“I… nothing.”
“Liar.” I leaned around her, pretending to reach for something behind her. “You’re thinking bad things, aren’t you? Dirty things.”
“Zane, your grandma—”
“Can’t hear us.” She was too busy humming along to the radio in her favorite seat at the table facing the television.
I slid my other hand to the counter, caging Celeste in, my mouth right next to her ear. “Are you wet for me, Einstein? If I touched you right here.” I pushed my hand between our bodies and cupped her pussy. “What would I find?”