Page 16 of Hello Kitten

“Silence isn’t an answer. Do I need to convince you to give me one?” he asks.

“I want ...” I almost look at the door, but can’t escape Adrian’s green stare.

Beth is actually going to murder me this time.

“I don’t want you to lose your job over some pretend boyfriend thing,” I say finally. “It’s stupid.”

“The cameras will be focused on the bride and groom. I’ll stay out of photos with your family. Next problem,” he counters.

No, he can’t make it easy. He’s not allowed.

“We’re not supposed to do this,” I breathe. “You’re supposed to be logical. Smart.”

He takes my chin in his hand and pulls me close again, his nose rubbing over mine. I can practically taste the words he says against my mouth. “And you should remember how much you like obeying me, kitten. I take good care of you, don’t I?”

“Yes,” I breathe, my legs turning to jelly.

“Yes, what?”

I gulp, my eyes dropping to his lips. “Yes, sir.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to have me there than try to explain why you’re alone?” he murmurs before his lips skim over my cheek to my ear. “Wouldn’t it be better to have me there if you’re drunk than have to rely on your own fingers while goading me?”

My eyes shut, and I bite my bottom lip to hide the ‘yes’ on my tongue. It works until he sucks my earlobe and a soft moan leaves my throat. His body rubs against mine, big and muscular.

“You spent all of class time eye-fucking me, kitten. I didn’t say a word, didn’t even tell you to pay attention, but you’re going to tell me the truth now. Do you want me at this wedding as your fake boyfriend?” he asks.

I grip his hips as he kisses the hollow under my ear, his teeth grazing my skin as I hiss. It’s not fair. Where’s the logic? Where’s my conscience yelling at me?

“Kitten,” he whispers.

“Yes,” I cave.

eight

The week passes by in a mix of avoiding conversations and having conversations I don’t want to have. I gave in with Adrian, and can’t take it back this time. I’ve been trying to avoid Beth to escape her yelling at me, but that’s kind of hard when I live with her.

Instead, I’ve been asking my mom and sister about every little detail I wouldn’t normally care about. By the time the weekend rolls around, I know where my hotel room will be. I have a full itinerary of events, even if I’m not invited to half of them because well….because I’m me, I suppose. I can be loud, and I don’t follow the plan my parents had set out for me.

My sister is getting everything she wanted in a wedding. She’s going to be a princess. My mom is still offering to change the seating arrangements so I can sit with some ‘eligible guys.’

Not to mention I have four texts from my dad saying I should lie to anyone who asks what I study and say my major is business instead of English. He even said I could say ‘law.’

When the door to my dorm room opens, I grab my bag, eager tonotbe here, but Beth points at me. “You!”

“I’m just about to—”

“Oh no, it’s Friday. You don’t have class. You can wait to study. Dinner’s not for another hour. You’re going to answer me!” she insists, slamming the door.

“Sure. So, I know everything about the wedding now. It’s great that Danielle suggested the pink dress since I’ll have to wear that,” I start.

She lets me list things off while her lips get tighter and she starts tapping her toe. When I run out of things to say andstillhaven’t thought of any excuses to get me out of this situation, she attacks.

“What the hell happened in Dr. Hayes’ office! You came out looking all flushed and squirmy! Did he try to seduce you? Did you seduce him? Did you get him to agreenotto come? I need to know! I don’t have a dress and—”

“He’s coming,” I whisper, cutting her off.

Her eyes focus on me with a deadly calm that makes me squeak. “Repeat that,” Beth orders.

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