Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 70417 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 282(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70417 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 282(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
“Good. See you in a bit.”
I walked back into the kitchen a few hours later, feeling more rested. Sean was humming and I inhaled deeply. “Something smells great.”
He grinned. “Chicken Parm. I thought Skylar could use some protein.”
“Hope you added some more basil to the sauce.”
He snickered as he stirred. “I did. And there’s enough of the good Parmesan. She’ll be happy.”
I indicated the open laptop. “What’s she doing?”
“Reading. I told her she could join us for supper.”
“I bet she was enthused by the invitation.”
“She seemed calmer. I think she likes the books.” He opened the oven door and poked at something. “It’ll be ready in five. Go get her.”
I looked at the table, frowning at the silverware. “Are you sure?”
“Cian, I only put out forks and spoons. What do you think she’s gonna do? Fork you to death?”
I stifled a groan at his attempt at humor. “Fine,” I huffed. “She’s sitting beside you, though.”
I opened the door to a different-looking Skylar. Obviously, Sean had given her the clothes he’d purchased. The sweatshirt and pants were still a little long on her, but the blue color looked nice against her pale skin. Her hair was washed and hung down her back, still damp. She looked up from her chair, an almost-friendly smile on her face until she saw it was me. I stifled a sigh. Clearly, Sean was okay—I was still on her shit list. For some reason, that bothered me.
“Dinner is ready.” I held out my hand. “Come with me.”
“I can eat in here.”
“No. Sean made dinner, and you’re eating with us.”
Glaring, she stood. “I’m not holding your hand.”
I reached for her as she tried to sidle past. “Fine. I’ll hold yours.” I held her hand firmly and tugged her down the hall.
“Let go!”
“No.”
“I’m not gonna do anything,” she seethed.
“I like to hold your hand.”
“Why?”
I grinned at her, her ire making me smile. “I like your cooties.”
“Fuckwit,” she mumbled.
I pushed her down in the chair next to Sean, who was watching us and shaking his head. “Let’s try to get along, shall we?”
“He started it,” Skylar said petulantly at the same time I muttered, “She started it.”
Sean laughed as he picked up a plate. “The two of you are driving me nuts.” He filled Skylar’s plate and set it in front of her. “I don’t want any arguing. Eat.” Then he filled my plate. “That goes for you too.”
I picked up my fork, chuckling inwardly as Skylar did the same thing.
His plate was overflowing, and he set it in front of himself. “I’m too old for this shit,” he grumbled.
I caught Skylar’s eye, and before I could help myself, I winked at her. For an instant, her lips curled into the sweetest smile. It transformed her face into one of sheer loveliness, making my breath catch in my throat. And then, as fast as it appeared, it was gone. She lowered her eyes and began to eat.
My gaze fell to my plate, my chest feeling strangely tight. Why, I wasn’t sure. It certainly couldn’t be because I got her to smile at me.
Could it?
Dinner was quiet but good. No one said much, although Skylar did thank Sean for the meal and praised his cooking. She never questioned the lack of knives on the table and shook her head when Sean offered her the butter dish for her bread. No doubt the tiny spreader in the dish held no appeal to her as an escape tool.
After dinner, she sat quietly, sipping her cup of coffee.
Sean spoke up. “What book were you reading this afternoon?”
“The End of Time.”
“Any good?”
She shrugged. “Not bad.”
I chuckled. “You fell asleep pretty fast—even drinking a cup of coffee. I don’t think you made it past the first chapter when your head started nodding.”
Skylar’s head snapped up, her eyes narrowed. Sean shook his head, and inwardly, I groaned when I realized what I’d given away.
“How do you know that?” she asked, her words slow and pronounced.
“I came in to check on you. You were asleep.”
She shook her head, anger making her shoulders tense. “You wouldn’t know I was ‘nodding,’ unless—” she drew in a slow, deep breath “—you were watching me.”
Sean and I exchanged a glance.
Her eyes widened as all the facts came together. “That’s how you knew about the window.”
She clenched her hands on the table and began to yell. “You were…weren’t you? You bastard! You’ve been watching me!”
“I check on you—that’s all,” I stated firmly.
Her eyes were wild with panic. “Where?”
“What?”
“Where exactly do you watch me?” Her hands covered her mouth for a moment. “Is my whole room being watched? Oh, my God, are you watching me while I’m in the shower? You sick bastards! Both of you!”
I stood, towering over her, anger filling my chest. “No.”
She stood as well, refusing to back down. “Why should I believe you?”