Page 30 of Seeds of Malice

I break down the boxes and take them out to the front room. A pile of broken-down cardboard is near the front door. Guilt fills me. I blurt out, "Dad, I was going to unpack your room."

He shrugs. "I don't have that much."

"Yeah, but you've been working all day."

His lips curve. "I'm not decrepit, you know. I can work and come home and unpack."

I tilt my head. "Haha, very funny. Are you sure you're not decrepit?"

He grins. "Not yet. Don't need to go get those diapers yet."

I laugh. We have a running joke about my dad with adult diapers. One time, I filled out a form where they sent samples. He couldn't figure out who did it and why he was getting them. One day, he caught me filling out a form to get a sample from another brand. Since then, it's been an inside joke between us.

He glances at his watch. "It's getting late. Let's hit the hay."

I'm not tired, but there's nothing else to do, so I don't argue. I hug him and kiss him on the cheek, and he tightens his hold around me. He lingers for a minute, then finally releases me.

I brush my teeth and wash my face, then shut the door to my bedroom. I put on a nightgown and slide under the covers.

I don't know what to do about Dax. I try not to think about him, but I can't get him out of my head. I toss and turn most of the night. I finally fall asleep until I feel hands over my mouth and the weight of a body over me.

My heart beats faster than ever before, and I try to move, but the large frame on top of mine is too heavy to push away. Then I realize the smell of Dax fills the air.

"Quiet, Ivy," he orders.

My eyes widen. Excitement fills me. It's not fear, except for a small part. It's mostly excitement.

Dammit, why do I still like him?

I get over my confusion and try to fight him again.

"Ivy, stop it. I don't want to wake your dad up," he scolds.

I freeze. My dad will kill Dax if he finds him here—there's no doubt about it—and then he'll definitely lose his job. So I stare into Dax's clear eyes that are only inches from mine.

He keeps his hand over my mouth and states, "Come with me."

More confusion fills me. I can't talk. His hand never moves. His intoxicating scent keeps flaring through me, making my body ache for something I know I shouldn't want with Dax. He's a slimeball, and I need to remind myself at all times I've gotten insight into the real Dax Carrington.

"I am going to remove my hand from your mouth. I need you to be a good girl and stay quiet. Then we can talk about earlier, okay?"

I glare at him. His lip curves into an arrogant smirk I want to wipe off his face and kiss at the same time. Then I remember what it's like to feel his lips on mine and his tongue swirling in my mouth.

"Oh, I see you're going to be stubborn," he says, as if this is a joke.

I huff a blast of air through my nose.

He warns, "Remember, if I lift my hand and your dad wakes up because you're loud, he won't be happy with either of us."

I want to tell him that I haven't done anything. I'm just lying in bed, doing what I'm supposed to. He's the one who somehow got into my room.

New panic fills me.

How did he get into my room?

Does he have a key?

Yes, he probably does since his dad owns this place.

---