Page 107 of Enthrall
“Hungry?” he said. “There’s cereal in the cupboard.”
“I feel ready to talk.”
Having stepped out of my comfort zone last night and right into the center of adulthood, I felt ready to face pretty much anything. Even him.
“That’s the problem,” said Richard, “you and I don’t talk the same language.”
“What’s that meant to mean?”
“See, you have no idea what I just said.”
“Why are you being like this with me?”
His brow furrowed. “I warned you to stay away.”
I folded my arms. “Did you pay off my step-mother’s medical bills?”
His hands tightened around the controller.
I moved into his line of sight, right in front of the TV. “Did you?”
“That’s very immature.”
“I’m not the one wearing a mask.”
“You wait. Next year this will be all the rage and I’ll take the credit for starting a dazzling new trend.”
“Did you pay off my debt?”
“I pay you enough as it is.” He shrugged.
“You did, didn’t you?”
“Well, it sounds like you have enough money now to move back to Charlotte.”
“Why do you push me away like this?”
“You’re in my way.” He gestured. “The TV that is.”
“If you really hate me this much why seduce me in dark corners and kiss me, have me not be able to think straight?”
“Mia, I’m very likely going to ruin you,” his voice softened. “Hurt you.”
“I can look after myself.”
He raised a finger. “If it makes you feel any better it wasn’t an easy decision. I’ve wanted to kiss you since that first morning I met you and you blocked my way.”
“Then why--”
“I’ll damage you.”
“Well at least we’ll have something in common then,” I said.
He frowned at me.
“Please don’t fire me,” I said.
“I’m not going to fire you.”
