Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 96046 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96046 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
His gaze rose without warning to meet my stare. I nearly fell back from the shock of getting caught. Embarrassed, I did what my mother always taught me to do in awkward situations: lean into it. I smiled and awkwardly gave him a thumbs up.
His eyes slowly narrowed as he returned the gesture, probably officially regretting his decision to let me stay.
CHAPTER 4
* * *
After that, an entire week went by without further run-ins with Dorian. That seemed like a miracle considering we were living in the same house. But if this was the way it was going to be, I could definitely get used to it. It felt as quiet around here as it had before he came back.
Dorian left super early for the office each day. I knew that because the garage door would wake me in the wee hours of the morning, since my bedroom was right above the bay where he parked. After the garage door shut, I’d roll over and go right back to sleep.
I also heard him returning late most nights. I wasn’t sure if he was working long hours, or if he’d been going out on the town. But if it weren’t for the sound of that garage door, I might’ve doubted whether he was here at all.
On Friday night, I felt restless and wanted to spend some time outside my bedroom. I’d overdone the hiding thing and had started to feel cooped up. I checked the garage for Dorian’s Porsche, which was still gone, so I assumed I could safely watch a movie in the home theater down in the basement. Aunt Christina and I had watched movies once in a while down there when she was alive, and it seemed just the thing this evening.
After popping some popcorn in the kitchen, I went downstairs to the theater. It was small compared to most of the other rooms in the house, but really nice, featuring three rows of purple velvet seats and recessed lighting that automatically dimmed when the screen was activated. There were also vintage movie posters hanging on the walls.
Benjamin had showed me how to work the sound system, which could be controlled from a laptop. After looking up the instructions I’d saved on my phone, I called up the movie I’d chosen for myself tonight, Pulp Fiction.
The Royale with Cheese scene had started when the theater door suddenly opened.
I straightened in my seat and reached for the remote to pause the movie.
Shit.
Dorian stood in the doorway. But that wasn’t the worst part.
He was with a woman.
They must’ve wanted to watch a movie.
“Oh…hey.” I waved awkwardly.
She was blonde and wearing a form-fitting dress. “Who is she?” his date asked.
“This is Primrose. She’s…” He paused.
“I’m his…stepcousin.” Stepcousin? Really? I barely know the guy. But technically, I guessed it was true.
Dorian narrowed his eyes. “Primrose is an artist staying here at the house, I was going to say. She also happens to be the niece of my deceased father’s late wife.”
Her eyes widened. “You live here?”
Apparently, she couldn’t hear very well.
“Temporarily, yes,” I told her. “My aunt invited me to stay here while I attend Orion Art Institute. Dorian was kind enough to allow me to continue the arrangement.” Picking a stray piece of popcorn off my chest, I added, “I didn’t realize you were home tonight, Dorian. I wouldn’t have come down here if I’d known.”
“We were just gonna watch a movie,” the woman said.
I stood. “I’ll get out of your way.”
“No.” Dorian held his palm out. “You were here first.”
“You’re both welcome to join me,” I offered, sitting back down. “What were you hoping to watch?”
She batted her lashes. “I was in the mood for something romantic.”
I inwardly gagged. “There’s…romance in this.” I shrugged. “If you’re open to interpretation.”
Dorian arched a brow. “When Vincent jabs a needle into Mia’s heart?”
I tilted my head, impressed that he knew what I was watching from just the paused image. “One of my favorite parts.” I grinned.
The woman looked between us with a horrified expression. “That sounds terrible.”
He turned to her. “Have you ever seen a Tarantino movie?”
“Who?” She narrowed her eyes.
Dorian chuckled. “Okay, then.”
I clutched my popcorn bowl and stood again. “Seriously. I’ll leave so you guys can watch…Titanic or something.”
“No.” He shook his head. “We’ll catch a movie another time. Enjoy your night.”
Dorian led his date out the door before I could protest. I sat in silence for several seconds before pressing play, surprised at how respectful he’d been about the whole thing. This was his house, and he had every right to kick me out and entertain his guest, if he wanted.
Eventually, I was able to put Dorian out of my mind and continue my movie night for one. Pulp Fiction was almost finished when the theater door opened again.
I turned to find Dorian entering—alone.