Page 63 of Tempting Little Thief

Bastian Bishop is a nobody, just as he claimed.

No, that’s not true.

He’s not a nobody.

He’s … mine.

“You like him,” Delta whispers softly.

My head snaps her way. “I hardly know him.”

“But you want to know him more,” Bronx guesses.

“Iwillknow him more.”

“Your dad—”

“Won’t allow it?” I finish off my glass, snagging the bottle from her hand and pouring more into mine. “Yeah, I know.”

“So, okay, he’s unaffiliated, but what’s he like?”

“He’s … annoying.” My lips quirk. “Bossy.”

“So, he’s you,” Bronx teases, taking another very unladylike chug from the bottle, snagging the second one from where she stuffed it under the table, the cork already out. “Imagine the power struggle.”

I frown.

Is there one?

“Come on, give us more,” she urges.

“He’s sly. Confident.”

“Still you.”

“He’s poor.” I look to them. “Wears jeans and old Jordans and I think he’s alone, but I’m not sure.”

“So the opposite of you …” Delta gives a tender smile. “Sounds like Ander when we first found him and look at him now.”

“Shacking up with a queen bee and her boo.” Bronx wiggles her brows.

The three of us laugh.

“You won’t be laughing when I tell you how we met.” I pause. “Well, maybe you will laugh aboutthatpart, but not what followed.”

Both girls sit forward, eyes dancing with excitement.

I go into full detail about the gas station and how he broke into The Enterprise, not leaving out a single detail until I get to the sex. I do tell them, but I keep the good parts to myself, much to their dismay. I tell them about the texts and his warning about Dom. How I plan to heed it and keep Dom out of my bed because I’m not done with him yet.

Before he spoke up from that dark corner in the Greyson Suite, my life was starting to feel uniform, frustrating rather than fulfilling. Even with its changing parts, it was all the same: superficial smiles and designer gowns, perfect grades, and weeding out worthy prospects.

I give orders.

Demand excellence.

Always have to shine.

Forever in control.

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