Chapter 26Astrid’s POVThe sound had come from upstairs.My heart thumped as I left the living room and hurried up the staircase. I pushed open the door to my room, the noise was near the window. I trod closer, narrowing my eyes as the faint rattle echoed again. I braced myself, tugging the curtain aside.And then I saw the new neighbor–the girl I’d glimpsed earlier was outside in her yard, fiddling with something that looked like a broken frame against the siding. She looked up at the same time I leaned forward, and our eyes met.Her cheeks flushed instantly. “Sorry!” she called up. “I didn’t mean to disturb you. Just fixing this.”I exhaled a long sigh. My annoyance cooled into resignation. With everything else swirling inside me, I didn’t have the energy to be pissed about a stranger clattering around.I let the blinds fall back into place.When I turned, I half expected Rhett to be there. But he wasn’t.I walked out of my room, padding back down the stairs. But Rhett was nowhere
Chapter 25Rhett’s POVThe morning came too quickly.I stirred awake before the sunlight had even fully penetrated through the curtains, my body burning with the ghost of her warmth. Astrid still lay tangled in the sheets beside me, soft breaths parting her lips, completely unaware of the chaos she’d left inside me.For a long moment, I stood there in the doorway, staring at her.Her hair was spilled across the pillow like a halo, her body curled into the blankets, her skin still faintly flushed. I tore my eyes away before I lost myself again and walked down the hall to Micah’s room. I stripped and turned the shower on full blast, pressing my palms to the tile as the water scalded my back.“Fuck,” I muttered under my breath.Images of last night assaulted me–her gasps, the way her body arched against mine. I slammed my fist against the wall once, water splashing. I couldn’t believe I had let it happen again. With Micah’s little sister.And worse, I didn’t regret a damn thing.When I
Chapter 24Astrid’s POVI gasped the second Rhett said those words.My wrists strained against the knot, but it was useless. He’d tied it too tight, his strength sealing me in place. My back pressed to the cool wall, and I could feel him hovering right behind me, his frame shadowing mine.Rhett’s hand trailed down my side, slow, deliberate. Too soft at first like he was testing me, teasing me, but even that touch sent a shiver crawling along my spine. My chest rose and fell heavily, and I swore I was seconds from breaking.Because his presence, his touch, his lips hovering just close enough was too much.I was afraid he was going to notice the way my body betrayed me, the heat pooling between my thighs, the wetness that gave away just how much I wanted him.Before I could think, Rhett shifted me. His palm pressed firmly to my back, bending me forward over the dresser. My eyes snapped to the mirror in front of us, and there we were—our reflections staring back at us.I caught a glimpse
Chapter 23Rhett’s POVAstrid’s footsteps echoed faintly above me as she stormed upstairs. I sat there in the living room with heaving chest, the box of first aid supplies sitting useless on the couch where she’d shoved it.I dragged my hands down my face. “Damn it.”My control was slipping.I couldn’t tell her about what the event meant. I couldn't tell her the party I'd been invited to had been hosted by my father.That bastard.The thought of Micah working for him without knowing the truth of his identity made my chest ache.I cursed again and reached for my pack of cigarettes. The lighter clicked, and soon the bitter smoke filled my lungs, burning on the way down. One drag. Then another. Still it didn't help like the normal nights.Astrid's voice echoed in my head when she’d snapped, “You care about nothing anyway.She was wrong. Dammit, she was so wrong.I cared too much.By the time I’d burned through the last of my cigarette, the ashtray overflowing, my nerves hadn’t calmed. I
Chapter 22Astrid’s POVThe shrill sound of my phone nearly made me drop it. The name glowing on the screen in bright, damning letters was Micah.Panic seized me as Rhett’s eyes locked on the device. His entire body went rigid, the muscle in his jaw ticking furiously.“Shut it off,” he hissed, his breath hot against my ear. He pressed me tighter into the alcove, his frame sheltering me in the shadows.My fingers scrambled, finally hitting the side button until the ringing cut off. I had no clue who Rhett was hiding us from.Just a few feet away, a figure stopped mid-step. The guy's head turned, brows furrowed as he scanned the lobby.My heart slammed into my ribs. I could barely see the face of the figure as he approached toward us, his gaze narrowing.“Quiet,” Rhett whispered against me. I held my breath, pressed flat against Rhett’s chest.Suddenly, we heard a voice booked across. “Buddy! The boss is asking for you.”The figure paused like he was hesitating. He glanced over his sh
Chapter 21 Rhett’s POVMercedes didn’t even look apologetic when Astrid stormed away. She just stood there with her glass.I glared at her. “What the hell was that about?”Her lashes flickered lazily, feigning innocence. “An accident, of course.”“Don’t lie to me,” I growled, stepping closer to her. “You did that on purpose.”“Maybe I did,” she sighed and took a sip from her glass. “Depends on who she is.”I clenched my fists, the urge to shut her up almost unbearable. “She’s none of your concern.”Her hand reached out and curled around my wrist before I could walk away. “On the contrary, Rhett,” she purred, leaning in. “She’s my concern because you brought her here. You know exactly what that means.”I yanked free, my glare burning into hers. “I don’t owe you explanations.”“Don’t play dumb with me,” she snapped suddenly. She inched forward and blocked me from moving on as guests glided past with champagne and polite chatter. “You know it’s a violation. Bringing outsiders here is–”