Page 55 of Bookworm and the Beast
It sounded sort of like, “I wouldn’t be too sure about that.”
“What did you say? I didn’t quite catch that.”
“Oh nothing, dear. It’s just… Jack could have had you thrown out after the office incident. Instead, he opted to go the entirely opposite direction. He had you locked in.With him. I just think it’s interesting.”
Before I could reply, she said, “Oh my, your father’s getting impatient. He says the show is all cued up and ready to go and is threatening to start it without me. We’re watching the TV version of Jack’s Onyx Throne series. It’s quite salacious. Now I know why Jack didn’t want me watching it. But he’s there, and I’m here, and I’m a grown woman. He doesn’t have to know.”
I’d seen the show myself, and for the first time ever, I was kind of glad my father’s eyesight had failed.
The cable network had added a plethora of “extra” content in an effort to be provocative and risqué. It cracked me up to think of the two old people sitting side by side on the sofa giggling over the dirty bits.
“Okay, well, you two have fun.” I chuckled. “Tell Dad I love him.”
“I will, dear. You try to have some fun, too. I know Jack can be a pill at times, but youarein one of the most beautiful seaside towns in the country at the perfect time of year, and you’re living in what amounts to a castle at the beach. You might as well enjoy it.”
I hung up and headed upstairs to my room to bathe and dress for dinner.
No—to theguestroom. It seemed important to make that distinction for some reason.
As I soaked in the tub, which was not quite as fabulous as the one in Jack’s room, but close, I reflected on what Mrs. Potts had said.
She was right. These were extraordinary circumstances, and since I had to be here anyway, there was no reason I shouldn’t enjoy my little “vacation” from ordinary life.
Well, therewasone big, bad-tempered, wide-shouldered, six-foot-two reason, but so far, he was making himself scarce.
Maybe the next three weekswouldn’tbe so bad after all.
I made up my mind to follow Mrs. Potts’ advice and enjoy the time I had left here. I’d spend it working remotely, writing my new book, and above all else,notletting Mr. Sulk in the Shadows ruin my mojo.
I’d start by using some of this ridiculously overpriced shampoo and conditioner he’d apparently ordered and left on the lip of the tub.
When in Rome, right?
And then I would put on one of those even more ridiculously overpriced dresses hanging in my closet. I might even cut off the price tags.
Be my guestindeed.
Chapter Seventeen
Craving
Jack
Pushing back from my desk, I stretched and glanced up at the window, surprised to see darkness had fallen.
I must have been writing for a while. Losing track of time was a good sign. It meant I was in the zone. This book was actually getting written.
Something had awakened my creative energies. Or rathersomeone.I wasn’t sure why, but the house felt… energized with Bonnie here.
So did I. I snorted quietly to myself.Leave it to me to pick a sneak-thief as my muse.
To be fair, I hadn’t chosen her. She’d been sent to me.
Either way, the effect was the same. I was writing again. The ideas were flowing. I was going with it.
And I was starving. Reaching for the intercom button on the wall near my desk, I buzzed the kitchen. There was no answer. I pushed it again. Nothing.
Hmmm.The thing must be malfunctioning.
