Changing direction, I make my way over to where she stands, donning a blue-gray terry cloth sweat suit. She must be headed for the entertainment room. It’s the only time she’ll wear anything remotely set for lounging.
I bend to meet her, my frame towering over hers, and kiss her cheek. “What made you think I was home? I haven’t been here all day.”
Standing back to my full height, I catch the look of uncertainty in her eyes. “I could’ve sworn I saw your Selection pick go upstairs about an hour ago,” she confesses.
It’s my turn to be puzzled. “Maybe it was one of the staff. I’m meeting Sam at the diner.”
She looks like she’s about to argue further but thinks better of it. “Perhaps you’re right. My head has been hurting me.”
I feel the lines in my forehead crease, worry knitting my brows. “Are the headaches back? What did the doctor say?” I rapid fire. Hoping she still has a clean bill of health. I’m going to be even more late meeting Sam, but again she can wait.
My mother brushes off my concern, “I’m fine. It’s just been a long day. Go get ready. You know how miserable that brat can be if you keep her waiting.”
“Sam can wait until she turns to ash. Your health is always the most important thing to me.”
Reaching up, her small, delicate palm claps my face. “You’ve always been a good boy Rowaniel, I’m sorry you couldn’t be born to simpler circumstances, but heavy is the head that wears the crown.”
I’m about to ask her what she means by her cryptic words, but she shoos me along, refusing to entertain any of my questions.
Finally, I make my way upstairs, taking the steps two at a time. My feet carry me until I stop and notice my door is slightly ajar.
Moving my hand to the door, I push it open and see a very naked Samantha spread eagle on my bed.
For fuck’s sake. Now I’m going to have to burn my bed.
“What the hell are you doing in my house?” I bark
Samantha ignores me, bringing her hand down and opening the lips of her pussy, and sliding a finger in and out.
Eager to get her the fuck out of here, I survey my room looking for her clothes, spotting them on the couch.
Storming over, I grab them from the heap they’re in and stomp over to my bed, throwing them in her face.
She squeals as her fingers slip from inside in time to catch them before they smack her in the face. “What the absolute fuck Rowan?” she snarls.
Tired of the day and her bullshit. “Get your skanky ass out of my fucking house before I toss you out naked,” I command.
I can’t believe the new level she’s willing to sink to get attention.
“No,” she shrieks, “You haven’t touched me in over a month. I’m tired of your shit.”
“And I’m just tired of you. Now get the fuck out. By the time I get out of the shower, you better not be here,” I shout, turning and heading for my bathroom.
But because Sam is who she is, she doesn’t know when to shut the hell up.
I hear her movements before her words.
“Fuck you, Rowan! You and your merry band of dicks think you can toss me aside because some shiny new bitch moved to town. You’re as fucked as she is,” she screams.
Wheeling around, I yank her naked body out of my bed by her throat. “You keep testing me. You somehow have deemed yourself worthy of something you’ve never been positioned for.” My grip around her neck tightens, my eyes boring down on her, and lust fills her eyes. I forgot how much she gets off on shit like this- how much we both do. But I’m not interested in Sam. I never have been.
I loosen my grip long enough to snap, “It’s not going to be you. You’re not going to be
The Chosen.
You know it. So, go through the process like everyone else, and for once in your life, have some fucking self-respect.” Then I tighten my hold, squeezing until she realizes I’m not doing this for her pleasure- this is not fucking game.
Her hands fly up, trying to claw at my fingers, but I hold firm until she’s seconds away from losing air. It’s time she understands this isn’t a joke. I no longer have to entertain her bullshit. Right before her last breaths can be drawn, I toss her on the floor at the foot of the bed, and she lands with a thud.
I hear her gasp for air and get to her feet. The sounds of her picking up her clothes satisfies me enough I finally make my way to the bathroom.
Pausing at the threshold, I bark without looking back, “Now get the fuck out of my house.”
* * *
“I can’t believe she was in your bed,” Karl says, doubling over in laughter.
“Laugh it up, asshole. You each have to take her out at some point. At least I’m done with her for now,” I counter.
That sobers the room, “Why would you put that in the atmosphere like that? You fucking dick,” Liam mumbles.
The noise of the lunchroom filters around us.
“That’s what you fuckheads get. All that taunting, have fun,” I snark and get up from the table, leaving them to sulk.
After that bullshit with Sam last night, I was looking forward to football practice today. She’s at least giving me a wide berth, but I don’t trust it. She’s never been one to take anything lying down.
I’m exiting the lunch room when someone walks in. I smell her before I take her in. I hear Emma’s gasp of surprise as I steady her.
“Shoot. Sor-. Oh, Rowan. It’s you.” Her face drops.
I sigh. I deserve that reaction. It’s not like I’ve given her any reason to think I see her differently.
“Sorry, I should’ve been watching where I was going,” I start. “Are you okay?”
Her brows furrow further. She’s trying to figure out if this is bullshit or not.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.