"Hurry up, Lila," he barks out."We're going to be late."
"Tough," I shout back."For some reason, I felt the need for another shower.Now why could that be?"
His snarl is all I need for an answer.Good.At least we're both out of sorts.It won't be just me then.As much as I want to take my time and scrub every inch again, I know I'll have to face him sooner or later.
My heart slams in my chest as I turn off the water and wrap the towel around me.I unlock his door just in case he needs in.What I don't expect, however, is for him to wrench it open the moment I do.
A startled squeak slips through my lips as he storms inside, glaring at me the whole time.
"What's your fucking problem?"I snap out."It's not like I'm soaking or something."
He holds up his phone and shows me the time."If you wanted to shower, then you should have gotten up earlier."
My insides clench as I behold his Alpha fury.It's a thing of lust and decadence.I want to revel in it, to roll around in the spice of his anger.It vibrates under my skin like a hum only I can hear.
Crossing my arms, I do my best to shove the inappropriate thoughts away.He doesn't deserve my kindness.Not after last night.Not after what happened between us.
"You're not the boss of me," I snap."You don't order me around."
"Why?"he seethes."Because I'm not paying for it anymore?"
I open my mouth to answer, but he storms out of the room before I can even hope to articulate a word.
"Downstairs in five."
"Yes, Sir," I yell out, matching his drill sergeant attitude.
I expect him to keep going downstairs, but he doesn't.Instead, he whirls back inside and stalks forward, forcing me to go back until the doorknob jams into my spine.
"What did you say?"he growls.
The bravado slinks away only to be replaced with hot, needy, pathetic want."You heard me," I whimper as arousal slickens my thighs.
Shit.My clit throbs as everything becomes hot and sticky.Whatever happened to standing up to him, to keeping myself infuriated so I can forget how fucking sexy he is?Blinking up into his fierce stare, I find myself lost in his eyes.Those hazel eyes that now glitter a deep, deadly green.
There's something there, something I can't fully define, but it calls to me, mirroring the storm I'm feeling in my very soul.Why won't he kiss me?Why won't he just give in?More to the point, why don't I?
Reaching out, I rest my hand on his chest, but he pulls away as if my touch burns him.It stings, slicing into my very soul.The pain is good though, needed.It allows me to get my head out of my ass and remember who and what he is.I shove at him, moving his bulk enough so I can open my door and slip inside.
"You can't run from me, Little Lily," he rasps from behind the door."Sooner or later, you'll have to come down to the car.Don't want to worry your father, do you?"
No.The absolute last thing I want is Dad getting involved in any of this.He's already in too much of my business.This is between Nate and me.
The last thing I want to do is draw any more undue attention to me or my body.Digging down into one of my lesser-used drawers, I pull out a plain sports bra and a set of underwear.Nothing fancy, nothing to entice—plain and boring.On top of that, I grab an old but comfortable sweatshirt and a pair of well-worn sweatpants.
He can't say I'm trying to seduce him now.Yet, as I stumble down the stairs, his nostrils flare as his eyes darken.There's no way he finds this alluring.I don't even have curves in this outfit.
Shoving past him, I make sure to jab my shoulder into his chest, knocking him back before he gathers himself and stands still.The look on his face could kill, but I know he won't.Piss on me again?Maybe.But kill me?Not likely.
"We're running late, Lila," he growls, snagging my dad's attention.
He frowns and looks at his watch, then back at us."She has time to grab a muffin or two.Linda will be heartbroken if there's several left.Here."He grabs a container and shoves most of them inside."Snacks for the road.Be safe!Good luck hunting."
Unable to stall any longer, I take the muffins and follow Nate out to the car.Each slam of the car door jolts through me, setting me on edge.I just want to get this over with.The sooner we get a place, the sooner I can focus on packing and ignore his smug fucking face.
We drive in silence as I stare out over the frozen land.The sun just barely peeks out above the clouds as others drive to work.On any other day, it would be serene.But it's not.Every breath, every sigh feels fraught with unsaid words and unspoken regret.
The tension fills the car so thickly, I can barely breathe.We can't keep this up.Something's got to give.Pulling out my music pod, I connect it to the car and press play.Loud thumping sounds pour through the space, lightening my mood until Nate yanks it out.
