Page 52 of Tower

“Yeah, all that power, and right now she has no idea her daughter isn’t locked up in the damn tower she shoved her into before she left.” Peter’s ire at the memory of finding that fucking door locked resurfaced.

“What are you going to do with her?”

“I don’t know.” Peter sighed. It was a question he avoided at every turn.

“Why did you take her? She’s an adult. Why not leave her there with the damn door unlocked?” Ash needled.

“Why did you accept Ellie’s offer when she showed up at the house?” Peter turned the tables.

Another bout of silence.

“Is this girl your Ellie?”

Now, there was a question.

“My place is almost finished. They are working on the last room this week, so I’ll be out of your place by the time you get back, or right after.” Exploring his feelings about Azalea, or what the future could bring would not do anyone any good.

“Huh,” Ash grunted. “Figures you’d find a girl while I was gone. Just don’t marry the woman until I get back.”

“You can really be an ass sometimes,” Peter hissed.

“I know. My wife tells me all the time. I bet you’re being as much of an asshole to your girl—what the hell is her name?”

“Azalea.” He tried to keep aloof when saying her name, but he couldn’t be sure he didn’t sound like some obsessed fan while speaking it.

“Jansen’s not going to like being rejected, no matter his nephew is on your side in this. And he’s definitely not going to like looking weak when Gothel gets back and finds out he couldn’t intervene.”

“I’m aware. I have it all handled. You just do whatever the hell you’re doing. I’ll see you in a few weeks.” Peter walked back down the hall to the living room, finding Azalea exactly where he’d left her, at the desk, working.

“You call me if you need me. I’ll be on the first flight home.” Ash would, too.

“Goodbye, Ash.” Peter didn’t wait for a response before clicking off the call.

Azalea swiveled around to face him. “Ash. Your cousin?”

“Yeah.” Peter said, putting a hand on the back of the office chair and leaning over to kiss her. He couldn’t seem to get enough of her taste now that he had her.

“You know, sending me home would solve whatever problems you’re having,” she said when he broke the kiss.

And just like that, his mood soured.

“How many times have I reminded you of our deal?” he asked, lowering himself to her level.

She bit the corner of her lip.

“How many?”

“Today?” she asked with a saccharine sweetness. He’d warned her to leave the topic alone. Constantly having to remind her what she’d agreed to, what he wanted from her grated on him. Maybe because he couldn’t see how he would ever let her go, or maybe because he didn’t want to think about it yet. It didn’t matter; when he said a subject was off-limits—it was off-fucking-limits.

“Lift the skirt of your dress and bend over the desk.” He pushed off the chair.

“Peter.”

“Now, or it doubles.” He moved into his own position and waited for her. He wouldn’t keep being reminded they had a fucking time limit.

He’d rather spend their time together sinking his cock into that tight, hot pussy of hers. And he already had once that morning, but now, he couldn’t until they went to bed. Because he didn’t fuck punished girls.

Azalea shimmied past him, keeping her ass pointed away from him, and made her way to the front of the desk. Her pleasing look did nothing to sway him, and she seemed to realize faster than usual that she should get in position.

---