Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 87618 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87618 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
“Go ahead, Riley, try it on.”
I freeze. Sweat breaks out down my spine. The voice is low and masculine, almost a purr, and it’s coming from the computer in the corner. Panic hits me a second later and I look around wildly, trying to come up with a plan. Do I run? Pretend like I’m not here?
But he knows it’s me.
“Uh, okay, I know this looks bad,” I say, trying to think up an excuse. How can I make this home invasion seem cheeky and fun instead of violating and weird? “I probably shouldn’t be here—”
“No, you shouldn’t have broken into my house, you’re right.” That voice sends a pulse of excitement down my spine. I don’t know why, but it resonates with me. A low, almost erotic hum.
“Would you accept an apology and pretend like this never happened?”
I smile and bat my eyelids at nothing. I have no clue where to look, but he’s definitely watching me. A cold shiver runs down my spine.
I’m in so much freaking trouble.
There’s a short pause, almost like he’s thinking.
Then: “No, I don’t think so.”
I grind my teeth in frustration. This is bad, very bad. If Liam or anyone in my family finds out that I came here today, I’m going to be screwed. Forget seeing the sunlight until my wedding day. They’ll lock me in a dungeon and throw away the key.
Not to mention my father’s deeply disappointed glare. I can almost see it now. Stupid little Riley, screwing up yet again. I swear, my father’s favorite pastime is praising my older brother while telling me how I’m such a disappointment.
“I’m talking to Alexan, right? And you know who I am?” I try desperately to think up something I can say to make this all better. But my brain’s working like Jell-O and my hands are trembling with fear. “I know this was a mistake, okay? It was impulsive and dumb, but I was just curious about you, and I couldn’t help myself.”
“So you decided on breaking and entering?”
“I’m aware it seems extreme. I stole your address from my dad, and I just wanted to meet you before the wedding.” I grin sheepishly, looking around for the camera, but I don’t spot one. Clearly, he’s got surveillance in this place, and I must’ve triggered some silent alarm. Normally, I’m on top of that sort of thing, but this guy must have some kind of custom setup. I didn’t even notice any motion sensors on the way up here.
Another long pause. The silence is driving me absolutely crazy.
“Tell you what, my little thief. I’ll let you walk out of here, and I won’t ever mention this again, if you do something for me.”
A strange, nervous flutter fills my stomach. I feel like a mouse trapped by a cat staring at a tiny sliver of sunlight behind the big hungry mouth. “Do what for you?” I ask, not really wanting to know.
“Try on the shirt, little thief.”
I stare at the computer monitor, at the black and empty screen, then look down at the dress shirt still dangling from my hand.
My cheeks turn bright red. “You’re fucking kidding me,” I blurt out, unable to help myself. “Are you being serious right now?”
“Deadly serious. You broke into my house, and now this is your punishment. Take off your clothes and put on my shirt.”
This guy’s insane. Like certifiably crazy. I’d laugh, but it’s not funny. “I’m not taking my clothes off for your cameras. For all I know, you’re recording this.”
“Of course I’m recording. Now take off your clothes and try on my shirt. I’m waiting.”
Shit, shit, shit. He’s not messing around. My heart’s going crazy, and my hands are shaking. But this isn’t that bad, right? I mean, the shirt’s big enough to be a dress. I can get changed in the closet, come back out here, do a little twirl, and it’s all over. We forget this ever happened.
My family never finds out I went against Liam’s orders.
“Okay, fine. This is so freaking weird, but I’ll do it.” I hesitate, waiting for a response, but there’s nothing. “I’m just going in here—”
“There are cameras in the closet too.”
I groan, shaking my head. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“I’m losing patience. If you don’t hurry, I’m going to come home and help you.”
The edge in his voice makes my eyes go wide. It’s a sharp, erotic anger, and I find a thrill sparking between my legs.
This is crazy. It’s absolutely insane. But what choice do I have?
Besides, I’m going to marry this guy in a month.
Sooner or later, he’s going to see me in my underwear, and I might as well break that ice now.
Nothing’s making me do this. I can turn around and walk right out of here. I’m willing to bet he’s bluffing. He doesn’t want to complicate our future arrangement any more than I do, and ratting me out to my family is definitely going to make things hard.