Page 20 of Blindside Sinner

“Exactly why I didn’t offer you any.” She sighs. “Look,” she says around a mouth full of food, “I think we got off on the wrong foot.”

I don’t even have to answer because, well,No shit, Sherlock.

“All I’m saying is, if you’re going to try and push me out, take your best shot. I get that you don’t want me to be here, but I won’t leave. Ican’tleave.”

Now, I’m frowning into my coffee. “Can’t” is a lot different than “won’t.” There’s obviously something keeping Sloan attached to my hip. Something I need to figure out if I want her gone for good.

Setting the cup down, I twist in my chair and take her in.

Her shoulders are tight, brows just tense enough to create a furrow between them. She’s fidgeting in her seat and twisting the mug around and around by the handle while she waits for me to respond.

This girl is woundtight.

I could fix that for her. I swallow the groan that comes with the images of Sloan sprawled naked on my bed, my dick hardening in my shorts at the thought of my hands roaming over her body.

I don’t have to like her to want to fuck her, right?

I pretend to focus on my drink so I can subtly rearrange myself without it being a whole ordeal. The second-to-last thing I needto be thinking about is Sloan coming on my cock. The last thing I need is for her toknowI’m thinking about it.

An idea strikes me suddenly. I don’t bother to hide the slow grin that spreads across my face.

“You want to stay?” I ask. “Fine. Let’s talk about the house rules.”

Sloan frowns. “House rules?”

I lean back with a smirk, my brain whirling as new plans come together. Oh yeah, this’ll work. “It’s all basic shit. Do your job, keep your stuff in your apartment, stay out of the house unless you have to be here.”

She rolls her eyes, but nods. “That’s fine.”

“Good. Onto the juicy stuff.”

Sloan’s whole body stiffens next to me. Now, I know I’ve got her attention.

“For as long as you live in my house, there will be no dates, no sleepovers, no house guests. No guests of any kind, as a matter of fact. No fuck buddies, no boyfriends, no friends with benefits. You want to get your rocks off? Buy a toy. Otherwise, you’re a nun for the duration of your stay.Capisci?"

I’m a genius. Einstein ain’t got shit on me.

And her reactions confirm it. The tight smile she’s been wearing morphs into pure female rage. Her hands clench against her thighs, her teeth grinding hard enough that I can hear it.

“You don’t get to control who I sleep with.”

I wave her off, even as the idea of her fucking someone else makes me grit my molars. “Of course not. You can fuck whoever you want—as long as you don’t do it in my house.” I lean over until we’re nearly cheek to cheek. “Unless that’s going to be a problem for you…?”

I tilt my head back just enough to see her face as she decides out how to respond. It’s like reading a book. I can tell she doesn’t want to agree, though I’m not sure if it’s because these new rules exist or because I’m the one who gave them to her.

When she finally answers, she’s practically spitting fire. “I think I can handle my extracurriculars happening somewhere else.”

“I’m sure you can. Not that you’ll have time to go out much,” I say with a smile. “You’re supposed to be watching my every move. Having your head so far up my ass you can’t breathe hardly leaves time for a quick romp in the back of some hipster’s hybrid or whatever you’re into.”

Her eyes narrow in a glare as she gives me a tight smile. “Good thing I’ve got other outlets in my bedside table.”

An image of Sloan with a vibrator in hand sears across my mind and I’m harder than ever. Goddammit.

“So those are the rules,” I finish with a croak in my voice. “Any questions?”

I expect her not to agree, but she surprises me by nodding crisply. “Fine. I’ll follow your made-up rules, but…”

She flashes a smile at me. It’s a wicked, dark thing.

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