Page 40 of His Property

I swallow. “I know. That’s why I bought it. What’s it doing here?”

Victor tilts his head. “You’d rather be naked?”

My eyes narrow, and I shake my head. I’m trying to be grateful for the clothing, but I can tell something is up with it. This is a date night dress, not a wear around a red room dress.

“No, but it isn’t exactly practical.”

Victor shrugs. “I don’t like practical. And I can’t take you upstairs with me if you’re naked.”

That piques my interest, and I sit up straight. “You’re taking me upstairs?”

He nods. “If you still want a shower, sure. As long as you promise to be a good girl.”

His nonchalant attitude about it strikes me as weird, and I wonder if whoever lives with him is gone for the night. Last time I asked about the person, Victor looked like he was about to strangle me, so I don’t dare bring them up now. I desperately need a shower, and I have no intention of ruining my chances.

“I promise,” I say, nodding. I take a big bite of the granola bar and crawl off the bed.

Victor stands and pulls a key from his pocket, unlocking the collar while I finish the food. Once I’m free, I eagerly put on the dress and start toward the stairs but don’t feel him behind me.

“You forgot these.”

I turn and look at Victor dangling the wedges from his fingers.

My eyes squint. “You want me to wear those?”

Victor walks my way and tosses them at my feet. “That’s why I brought them,” he says, his tone flat.

“Why?”

“Why do you ask so many questions?” he counters.

“Because you give me plenty of questions to ask.”

Victor stares me down, no sign of him answering me, and I give up and lean over to put on the shoes. As I’m buckling the first strap, I figure out why this dress and why it’s important for me to wear shoes.

“Is it supposed to look like we’ve been on a date?”

I don’t look at him, instead focusing on putting on the other shoe, but I can feel his stare.

“Yes,” he finally answers.

“So someone else is in the house, then?”

Another stretch of silence ensues, and I stand up straight and adjust the dress. My hair is an absolute mess, and I do what I can to contain it within the thirty second timeframe I have.

“Yes,” he says again, hesitantly. Whoever it is, he doesn’t like to talk about them. He steps up to me until there’s barely any space between us. My breath hitches, and he zeros in on my lips before meeting my eyes. “My sister’s asleep, and while it’s highly unlikely she’d leave her room even if she woke up, I want you fully dressed and looking like you just got here.”

Sister.Of course.

How did I not guess that?

Victor’s eyes get serious, and I sense a threat coming.

I put my hand to his chest and speak before he can. “In the event that that happens, I’ll be as convincing as possible. I promise. You don’t have anything to worry about with me. I’m doing my two weeks and getting the hell out of here.”

His lips twitch. “You talk like you’re in prison.”

I wave my hand around the room. “What would you call this?”

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