“One time, the knob on my door broke and it wouldn’t open and no one could hear me upstairs so I just had to wait for someone to notice I was gone,” she said, staring down at her plate.
“How long did it take?”
“The school called my mom after two days to ask where I was. She was really embarrassed and I got grounded for some reason.”
“Jesus Christ.”
“I had a bathroom and some snacks.”
She sniffed and I took her empty cup gently from her hands and refilled it. We both watched the cream swirl through the coffee as I pressed the cup into her fingers. There was a long silence. She cracked a tiny smile as she took it, pushing her plate away and getting to her feet.
“Sorry, it’s dumb,” she said. “I mean, I never got abused. I had a fine childhood.”
“You were neglected.”
“Sorry, I didn’t realize I’d hired Peregrine Calo as my therapist,” she quipped.
“Run along and spend my money, Lia,” I said.
She shook back her glossy ponytail and bent, kissing me on the cheek. I turned and our mouths met for a brief moment. Her lips tasted bitter like coffee and lipstick, but her tongue was sweet and it made my chest ache. I pulled away abruptly, suddenly uncomfortable with the intimacy between us.
“Go on,” I said gruffly.
“You’re getting a little soft, Peregrine,” she said. “Is that all for me?”
“Get out, Lia.”
She laughed softly and I picked up my paper, shaking it out and disappearing behind it. She had a way of getting under my skin that drove me crazy and not in a good way. Maybe I would let Merrick fuck her and then she would know exactly what I valued. Then she would know I cared about this alliance more than I cared about her.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
ROSALIA
I did spend his money, every last penny of it, and I felt a lot better after that. Even though it was only October, I bought myself several Christmas gifts and then went on to the men’s shop to pick some items up for Peregrine. It felt strange shopping for his things, but it also felt good. Like I was a grown up woman with a husband. The thought seemed childish, but I still entertained it as I selected cuff links, a leather wallet, and a belt.
I was still feeling sore after having to dredge up my past with Peregrine over the breakfast table. And it annoyed me that he refused to talk about last night. I contemplated going home to tidy up the house and do homework, but I was feeling rebellious. Instead I went out to my favorite Italian café and had a piece of cake and a coffee and read a smutty romance.
It was almost dinnertime when Peregrine’s driver picked me up from the butcher’s shop where I’d acquired an enormous roast and dropped me at the Calo House. I had decided somewhere on the drive home that I was going to get the answers I wanted tonight. I was going to wine and dine him until he told me what had happened to upset him so much.
I put the roast on, peeled and spiced potatoes, and went down to the wine cellar to retrieve a bottle of aged Bordeaux. When I returned to the kitchen, the old house was still empty even though it was after five. I swiped my phone and a text from Peregrine appeared. Letting me know he was on his way home. My stomach fluttered at the sight of his name.
No, stop that.
I shook my head, padding upstairs to the bedroom. I wasn’t sure why I wanted to dress up for dinner. Peregrine saw me in my nightgown with my hair messed up, he saw me naked in my most vulnerable moments. But for some reason, I wanted to look good for him. Not just because I was trying to get information from him.
Because I wanted to feel his desire again.
His hot, harsh need that frightened me and left me weak and desperate for more.
I put on pumps, a short pencil skirt that hugged my ass and thighs, and a black top with a scooped neck. It wasn’t enough. I stared at myself in the mirror for a minute before going to get a push-up bra. My cleavage rose above the neckline, my necklace nestled between my breasts. I dabbed a bit of perfume behind my ears and slipped my earrings in. Then I shook back my hair and braided it loosely down my back.
Perfect. Peregrine wouldn’t stand a chance.
I went back down to the silent kitchen and began taking down the plates from the top shelf. A soft sound came from behind me and I paused. My whole body went rigid as something brushed against my ass and I startled, the plate slipping from my fingers. A lean hand shot out and caught it.
“Butterfingers,” he whispered in my ear.
“Peregrine, where were you?” I hissed, my heart racing.