Page 32 of Hers to Control

Instead, I widen my search for a way to open the hidden door, checking the outside of the shelf for any buttons. It shouldn’t be too hard to find a way in once you know the door is there, should it?

Behind me, I hear steps, and when I turn around, Eric is standing in the door to the hallway, watching me.

“What are you doing?”

I shrug. “I was just deciding on a book to read.”

I have no clue if he knows about the hidden basement, and I’m not about to give that information up because it suddenly occurs to me that this could be my escape plan. Find the way into the basement and hole up there until Eric leaves. Then take off myself.

“You’re not holding any books.”

“Because I haven’t found a good one yet.”

“So you’re not looking for your way into Gianna’s sex basement, then?”

Well, shit. So much for that plan. But also,fucking hell, because the way Eric is now watching me is giving me hot flashes. I remember the way his hands and tongue were all over me last night too vividly to be unaffected.

The question is, what should I do about it?

Chapter Twelve

Eric

Iwalk to the fireplace and reach for the hidden switch. It’s concealed under the mantle, but I recall the exact location from watching Gianna open it when we brought Mikhail here. The bookcase next to the fireplace swings open and I take a step forward, crowding Mia’s space.

Her shoulders straighten, and she stares back at me defiantly. The same obstinate woman who has decided to make my life protecting her as difficult as possible.

Why that’s so sexy, I don’t fucking know.

“Still want to read?” I ask, the challenge clear.

Her eyes blaze with indignation. “Seems like the best way to kill time while we’re stuck here.”

I shrug as if I don’t give a shit about her insinuation. Which I don’t. We already proved that there are much better ways to spend our time than reading, but what I really want to do is put her in her place for trying to run earlier.

“We have three hours before your clinic appointment,” I inform her.

Her chin lifts and her eyebrows furrow. Yeah, she’s pissed, all right.

“If I want an appointment, I’ll schedule it myself.”

I don’t bother responding. She will go to that appointment. It’s non-negotiable.

She lets out a frustrated huff and, for a second, I wonder if she’s giving up. For some reason, I don’t like that thought.

“Personally,” I tell her, “I think that basement is fucked up, but I’m sure we could put it to good use.” That statement is bound to trigger her backbone and get a reaction.

Instead of a snappy response, Mia looks more intrigued than appalled. “I’ve never been down there. Gianna only told me what it is.”

Shit. The idea of watching Mia’s reaction to the furniture that’s down there has my cock at attention.

“Well, it’s open now if you want to take a look.”

She gives me a look that tells me she knows what I’m up to, and somehow that has me more amused than I’ve been in a long time. When the woman isn’t absolutely infuriating, she’s actually quite entertaining. And hot. Fucking hot as well.

“Fine.” She turns and heads to the staircase leading down, giving me an opportunity to check out her ass. Even dressed, it’s a fucking turn-on.

I follow her down the winding staircase, running my knife through my fingers. I’m not even sure when I pulled it out, but Mia has my nerves at attention so often, it’s rare for me not to have it out.

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