"Maybe I'll throw it in the trash instead," he mutters, his gaze raking over me.
"You better not!"
"Why not?You look better in my clothes anyway."
His comment lands like a blow.People have been making fun of my weight for most of my life.My own mom makes snarky comments all the time.It stopped bothering me a long time ago.But this one…hurts.And that pisses me off.
"Why?Because they hide my body?"I snap, scowling daggers at him."The whole world doesn't look like supermodels.Some of us actually have real bodies.And you know what?I'm proud of my curves, even if they do offend you."
"What the fuck?"His dark brows slash together, a thunderous scowl overtaking his face."You think your body offends me?"
"You said it, not me," I snap, wondering if I could get away with smothering him with a pillow.I mean, he'd probably put up a fight.But would a jury really convict after reading his ridiculous emails and hearing all about my morning at his ranch?Probably not.It's almost worth the risk.
"That's not what I meant, Cassia," he says, anger roiling like storm clouds in those gray eyes.He's intimidating as hell when he's mad, yet I'm not intimidated."You've had my cock hard since I started stalking your social media weeks ago, princess.But seeing you cuddled up in my clothes in my house has him ready to break in half.So unless you're ready to do something about that, I suggest you settle your pretty little ass down before I fuck the attitude right out of you."
"That…you…I…" I splutter, shocked silent for once in my life.It doesn't last long."You've been stalking me on social media?"
He stares at me for a long silent moment and then he chuckles."That's all you got from that, huh?"
"It's the only part I'm ready to deal with right now," I mutter defensively.
"Prop your foot up, pretty baby.I've got shit to do," he says, already headed for the stairs.
"Fine, but don't think we aren't talking about this later, Cord Decker!"
His laughter floats back to me.
* * *
Idoze off on the couch before he makes it back with my phone.When I wake up, it's late afternoon, and I'm in the house alone.Snow falls in fluffy white flakes outside, blowing this way and that in the wind.It hasn't started accumulating yet, but it will before long.
I fire off a quick text to Emmy, letting her know that I'm fine and that I decided to stay overnight at the ranch because of the weather.I leave out anything remotely resembling an actual detail and hope she's too busy writing to grill me for more.When she doesn't immediately text me back, I know she's occupied and won't see it until later.
I also send a text to Rhys to check in.I don't get as lucky with him.
He responds immediately.
Rhys: Where are you staying?
Me: The Decker ranch.
Rhys: I don't like this, Cassia.
Me: That's because you're overprotective and a cop, Rhys.You don't like anything.I'm fine.The Decker family is wonderful.
Rhys: You know them?
Me: Yes.
It's not technically a lie.I might not know Cord well, but he did save me from his bull.I'm pretty sure that means he isn't going to murder me and hide my body.And I know he has a brother and a sister who live nearby.That makes them a family.Does my brother need to know that Cord's brother and sister don't also live on the ranch?Absolutely not.
Rhys: What's the address?
Me: You do realize you're a detective in Washington, right?You have no power in California.
Rhys: The address, Cassia.
I grumble and then send him the address.If I don't, he'll call me and raise nine kinds of hell.I love him to death, but he's impossible.Once he found out how our mother raised me, he lost his mind a little.I think he feels guilty for not being there to protect me, but it wasn't his fault.Had my dad wanted me, I would have jumped at the chance to live with him.I don't blame Rhys for avoiding spending time with our mom.
