I didn’t think he liked me. When he did spare a glance my way, his face would turn hard, and his dark eyes seared through me. As big and scary as he was, there was something alluring about him. I had a weird fascination with him and often caught myself thinking about him and recounting the things my father said. He seemed cold, but I’m sure I’ll soon find out.
“Yes, he wants company.”
“Why aren’t you staying too?”
“He doesn’t want me.” Her lips purse. Maybe this isn’t a bad thing. Some space from my mom might be nice. She’s never been a warm and fuzzy mother. “Did you take your pills?”
“Yes.” That was another new rule that popped up when I turned eighteen. A doctor came out to the house to give me a physical. She gave me a few shots and started me on some vitamins. Mom said all girls do it when they turn eighteen.
At first I didn’t notice any difference, but after a while, I noticed changes, though it could be part of getting older. I’ve gained some weight, which my mother complained about constantly. I did not get her genes because she’s rail thin. My curves have filled out more, but what I noticed most were my breasts. They often ache, as do other parts of me, and now it’s starting to get almost painful. Maybe I should ask to see that doctor again.
“We’re almost there,” Mom says, putting her sunglasses on to hide her eyes. “You need to understand something, Nikki. Gordon has been good to us. If he asks you to do something, you do it. Remember our talk about men and their needs.”
“Mom,” I hiss as embarrassment heats my face and I glance toward the driver. Yeah, I remember that talk. It wasn’t one I enjoyed having with her. I preferred learning about it from my romance books. They might not be reality, but they could make me dream and long for more.
“Now is not the time to be shy.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re getting new rules,” she says, not answering my question.
“Of course I will.” I roll my eyes.
“Don’t be a little bitch.” I flinch at her words.
Since we were told that I was moving, Mom has been cruel toward me. Normally, she doesn’t pay me much attention, but now she’s been taking jabs at me. If I didn’t know better, I’d almost think she’s jealous, but I don’t understand why. “I hope he doesn’t change his mind.” Her eyes move down my body, and I fidget with the top of my dress.
It’s been hard to find anything that fits me right with how full my breasts are. They are almost falling out of the top, and I hope whatever clothes I have at Uncle Gordon’s will fit me better. I was told to leave everything behind.
The driver pulls up a long driveway, and a man steps out from a little guard house, peeking into the car. He looks at everyone but me as if I’m not here. A moment later, the giant black gates that would put ours to shame swing open, and the driver continues up the driveway. My mouth falls open when I see the house—if you can call it a house because it’s more like a castle. It’s so big I might not even see Gordon. This is the kind of place a girl could get lost in.
I think my life is about to change completely once again.
Chapter Two
GORDON
When the car pulls up to the front of the house, I step through the doors to greet them. My former sister-in-law Heather gets out first and comes right for me.
“Gordon, so good to see you.” She leans in for a kiss, but I don’t move, and she’s left to stand there scowling. “Did you get my email?”
“Yes,” I say coolly, and it seems like her smile falters slightly before she puts it back in place.
“And?”
“And the answer is no.” I glance over her shoulder at Nikki and then nod back at the car. “You can go now.”
All pretenses fall from her face, and she leans close so she can hiss the words at me. “I’ll go to the press. I’ll tell if you don’t pay me.”
She sent an email last week making demands, but I just deleted it. Heather has always looked out for herself, even when she was supposed to be looking out for my niece. She’s trying to use this as a last-ditch effort, but it’s too late.
“Stop embarrassing yourself.” I nod to the car and step around her. “We’re done here.”
My driver steps forward and takes her by the elbow to escort her away before she can make a scene. That’s when I see Nikki fully for the first time, and I take her in. Her dress is cut low across the top, and her breasts spill out over the top. The lush mounds look tight, and I have to swallow as my mouth waters.