“Whatever you think is going on—”
“Don’t try and lie to me. I know what I walked in on, and his father would kill him if he found out. If I find you two together again, I’ll make sure not even Mick will take you back when I throw your ass out onto the streets.” She narrows her eyes in anger as I bite my bottom lip, rage flowing through me like a steady poison. I’m so sick of being told what to do, and how to do it. Just as I open my mouth to tell Veronica what I think of her, she stomps past me, her heels clicking against the floor as she heads off into another room.
“Charlie?” I turn around, finding a short, black-haired woman in a maid outfit.
“Yes,” I mutter.
“I’m Jean. This way, please.” She smiles and walks up the stairs slowly. “And don’t worry about Veronica. Nobody likes her,” the housekeeper huffs as she climbs another stair.
“Is she Landon’s ex-girlfriend or something?” I ask. The way Veronica got so possessive over him, I can only guess there’s some kind of connection between the two.
“No. Landon’s father, Miller, got remarried to Tara, and Veronica is Tara’s daughter from another marriage,” she explains, finally reaching the top step.
“So they are—”
“Brother and sister,” she smiles, heading east. My head nearly explodes with the information. Does Veronica want in Landon’s pants? But then again, look at Landon. If he were my stepbrother, I’d still be just as attracted to him.
“Here you are. There’s a phone in your room if you need anything. Or you can ask Landon.” She points to a door all the way down the hall.
“Landon stays in the east wing, too?” I ask, looking at the door. It sits all the way at the end, by itself. There isn’t a door near it except mine.
“Yes. I’m surprised he has you down here and not in the west wing where all of the girls stay.” She shrugs and turns to leave.
My eyes flutter with the information as I inhale deeply. Why did Landon want me so close? Is this a game to him? My feelings, my emotions, my life?
“Do the other girls live here, too?” I question, still looking at his door.
“They come and go,” she informs me. I tear my eyes from Landon’s door finally and find a bright-eyed Jean looking back at me.
“Goodnight, Charlie.” Jean smiles.
“Night,” I whisper, my eyes trailing back to Landon’s door. I wonder what his room looks like. Is it just a room, or does it look like a house? Is he a slob, or very clean?
I shake my head and open the door to my room.
A large canopy bed sits in the middle, white and black sheer fabric hanging off it elegantly, and a huge, white comforter is placed perfectly on the bed. I gaze along the grayish walls, finding expensive paintings of half-naked people and a floor-to-ceiling window covering the entire back wall. A dresser and armoire are made out of the same dark color wood as the bed. This room is overwhelming, so many nice things.
Removing my dress, I kick off my heels and climb into the plush bed. I pull the covers over my head, hiding myself from the world, from myself. I take advantage of the expensive thread count surrounding me and cuddle close with the fine fabric. I’m so confused. I thought I could fight my attraction toward Landon, but I can’t shake the pull I have toward him. If I’m being honest, though, a piece of myself wants to be here with Landon. The moments he looks at me like I’m his world, and the way his fingers pull toward me when he’s near… it’s all surreal.
But the way he acts as if I’m his stars one moment and then the dirt on his shoe all in a blink of an eye, I know I shouldn’t feel anything but resentment toward him. What is wrong with me?
LANDON
I toss the condom in the trash and zip my pants. My heart drums against my chest and my forehead sweats. I just fucked her. I close my eyes and pinch the bridge of my nose. The way she looked in that black dress, though, it was like watching a black panther prowl into my chambers. Something possessive and dominant escaped me without me even acknowledging it.
I blow out an irritated breath and lift from my seat, the smell of her and sex prominent in the air. I grab a tumbler and pour some scotch. Lifting the glass to my lips, my fingers brush against my nose, giving away the sweet smell of her pussy. I grit my teeth and throw the glass against the wall in a sea of rage. She hasn’t been here five minutes and I’ve already managed to fuck this up. I need to stick to the plan, to the mission at hand and gain some damn control. I’ve never been so affected by a woman in my life; it bewilders me and pisses me off all at the same time. I need to get a hold of myself and remember what Charlie’s place is here at the estate. I close my eyes, knowing that’s going to be a hurdle. One I’m not sure I can leap.
“Sir?” I turn quickly, finding Jean red-faced and eyes wide.