Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 108362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 542(@200wpm)___ 433(@250wpm)___ 361(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 542(@200wpm)___ 433(@250wpm)___ 361(@300wpm)
“That’s good that he’s getting help.”
“It is,” I agreed, bringing another slice of apple to my lips, eating it slowly.
“You’re staring,” she commented.
“That is correct.”
“Can I ask why?”
“Is it unusual to stare at a beautiful woman?”
She glanced over to where Zara was fully immersed in some kid’s show before looking back at me. “Quit flirting, Lister.”
“Stop being so beautiful, and I’ll try, Kryten.”
She shook her head, sighing in exasperation, but I could see her lips trying hard not to part in a smile. Reaching out, she moved to steal a slice of apple, but I caught her fingers. “If you want some you only have to ask,” I told her softly, releasing her fingers before picking up the slice she’d been reaching for. Leaning across the counter, I brought it to her lips. “Open,” I whispered.
Her eyelids lowered, her pulse fluttering at her throat as she opened her mouth for me. I slid the apple past her perfect lips and watched as she bit down. Her gaze met mine as she chewed, then swallowed, and I wrestled with the urge to throw her over my shoulder and carry her like a caveman into her bedroom. I picked up another slice, lifting it to her mouth, and again, she quietly ate for me. A low rumble started at the base of my throat, a raw feeling of satisfaction that had me praising her. “Good girl.”
“Jace,” she said, her voice barely a whisper.
Needing to touch her, I tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, my thumb brushing against her soft earlobe. “Later, yeah?”
Her throat bobbed on a swallow, and I moved away from the counter, knowing it was dangerous territory doing this with Zara only a few feet away, even if she was distracted by her show.
“I’m going to take a quick shower before we go to your parents’,” she said, and I really didn’t need the image of Shannon in the shower with how I was feeling.
“Take your time,” I said, forcing myself not to follow as she left.
***
“It’s an interesting idea,” my dad said later while ponderously rubbing his chin.
We’d finished eating dinner, and Mam had taken Zara out back to her workshop to show her some of the new scarves she’d been designing. She loved checking out all the colourful fabrics.
“Bloody hell, am I the only one who thinks it’s crazy?” I argued. “We can’t just go around creating sites on the dark web, especially not ones that purport to offer services that definitely aren’t legal.”
“But we wouldn’t actually be providing the services,” Shannon countered. “It’s just a way of getting Samuel’s attention. I could easily build a site, make it look legit, and we could leave breadcrumbs on the forums Margie said he uses. Post as people recommending the site. It might take time, but once he visits, I’ll be able to track his exact location.”
I was shaking my head, while Dad stared at Shannon, a big smile on his face. This kind of skullduggery was right up his alley. Seriously, I couldn’t believe I was saying this since he was supposed to be the parent here, but he was a bad influence.
“Look, as Shannon pointed out, this will take time,” Dad said. “Think on it. We don’t need to commit to anything just yet.”
Even as he said it, I could already see the wheels turning in his head, plans formulating. Before I could say more, Mam returned with Zara, who wore a pretty new scarf in her favourite colours, purple and green.
“Look what Granny made for me,” she exclaimed, running to Shannon to show her.
“Wow, it’s gorgeous. Thank you so much, Matilda.”
“It was my pleasure. Anyone for tea?”
“Sure, I just need to use the bathroom first,” Shannon said, rising from her seat.
“Use the one upstairs,” Mam told her. “The one down here is on the fritz. We’ve a plumber coming in the morning.”
Shannon nodded, and I watched her go, just like I always did. If she was in the room, my eyes were sure to follow her. Once she was gone, I shot my dad a firm glare. “Whatever you want to do, you have my full permission, but don’t involve Shannon. You can have someone else build the website.”
“All right, but she seems determined to help.”
“Just do it without her. I won’t risk her getting in trouble.” Dad nodded, eyeing me in an uncomfortably focused way. I let out a grunt of annoyance. “Will you please quit doing that?”
“Doing what?”
“Reading me. I can always tell when you’re trying to figure out my thoughts, and to be perfectly honest, it’s intrusive.”
Dad let out a soft, affectionate chuckle. “I don’t need to figure out your thoughts, son. They’re plain as day on your face.”
“Oh, for crying out loud. Just stop.”
“What’s going on with you and Shannon?”
“Enough.”
“Something’s changed between you. The dynamic is—”