Page 46 of Cold and Broken (The Titans of Founder's Ridge 1)

“Hi.” I smirk at her. “Are you going to come in or stand there holding up the door frame all night?”

“I’m coming.” She rolls her eyes. “It just feels weird.”

“What does? Studying with me?”

“Yes, and also just,” she sweeps her hand out in front of her, “all of this. I’m so out of my element. Your personal library has more books than my elementary school did.” A faraway look glazes over her eyes shadowing her eyes with sadness.

“Really?”

“Yeah,” she gives a sad nod.

I don’t know what to say. My privilege is once again a vast chasm separating us so I don’t say anything else. I use my foot to kick out the chair opposite of me. “Sit.” I command.

“Please have a seat, Lilith.” She deepens her voice mockingly. “It’s lovely of you to join me this afternoon, Lilith.”

I chuckle as she sits down.

“Eat.” I command once more as I nudge the plate of brownies toward her.

Her eyes narrow. “Are you incapable of saying please? Does it give your heart palpitations to ask someone to do something instead of demanding?”

“Have to have a heart to have heart palpitations,” I deadpan.

“Truth.” She picks up a brownie and looks at it like she doesn’t trust it.

“They’re good,” I encourage.

“I’m sure they are.” She looks troubled.

“But?”

“Just some things I’ve been told.” A rare glimpse of vulnerability takes over her features before she looks up at me. Then she shutters it inside and is back to normal. She takes a bite and makes the same moaning sound as she did with the cookies last week.

All the blood in my body relocates to my cock with those sounds. I could be happy feeding her baked goods for the rest of my life, just to hear those noises. To watch her eyes close as she enjoys the fuck out of Delores’s brownies despite whatever insecurity she’s fighting.

“Oh God, that was so fucking worth it,” ,he says licking the crumbs from her lips and fingers. She pushes the plate away from her. “How do you not weigh 300 pounds with food like this around all the time?”

“As much as I’m loathe to give him any credit, Victor. That side of my family is genetically gifted. My grandfather had a six pack when he was in his 60s.”

“Impressive. Why do you hate your dad so much?”

I sigh and run my fingers through my hair. “He had an affair and that’s why my mom took off with my sister to Ireland.” I meet her eyes. “Among other differences we have.”

“Gotcha.” She nods.

I love that she doesn’t push the subject. It could be that she doesn’t care because I’ve been such an asshole to her but I think it’s just her personality. She has an innate ability to find the sweet spot between pushing for information and backing off.

“Speaking of, I have to go the city with our dads tomorrow. I’ll be gone until late Wednesday.” I watch her for any reaction to that news although I’m not sure what I’m hoping to see. “Levi or Griff will watch your back at school.”

“I don’t need bodyguards.” Her eyes narrow to slits the way they do when she’s about to challenge me. “Maybe I should let Jameson know so he can watch my back.” A wicked gleam lights her eyes.

“No.” I growl. “Griff will drive you.”

“I can use our truck. I made sure to register it this week for parking.” She laughs at the face I make. “You are ridiculous. Make up your mind.” She mumbles the last comment under her breath while she pulls out her notebook and text book.

“I have.” I wait until she looks up at me. “I started our story as the villain. I’m going to end it as your hero.”

“I don’t need a hero.” Her chin lifts defiantly.

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