But even with a full plate in front of him, he couldn't keep his eyes off the woman.
Fresh from the shower, her reddish-brown hair hung loose around her shoulders in waves instead of tied back tight like before.It softened her face, made her look younger...and older at the same time.The oversized sweats swallowed her whole, but somehow that only made her look breakable.
She had green eyes and a smattering of freckles across her nose.
He tried to guess her age.She looked old enough to work in the clubhouse if she wanted.Old enough to cause him trouble if she hung around.Old enough to be Sonny's entertainment.
The thought twisted his gut.
He stabbed another bite and asked, "What were you doing with Sonny?"
Her head snapped up, eyes flashing."I amnotinvolved with Sonny."
He raised a brow.
She leaned forward."I don't belong to him.Or Cusclan.Nobody owns me."Then she narrowed her eyes."And even though you bought me, you don't get to own me either because I wasn't for sale.If you've got a problem with that, take it up with Sonny."
Baddy paused mid-chew.
Well.That answered that.
He swallowed, took another slow bite, and tried again."Then how'd you end up in Cusclan's possession?"
Her fork clattered onto the plate.She leaned back in the chair, crossed her arms, and tilted her chin, daring him to push her.
He figured she wasn't going to answer.He'd insulted her, clearly.But after a long, tense moment, she spoke.
"Sonny was my mother's boyfriend for about six weeks."She dropped that fact like a hot potato.
Baddy frowned."Where's your mom now?"
She shrugged."Gone."
He didn't push.He could read between the lines.Either her mom hurt her by leaving, or there were no feelings involved.Whatever it was, she wasn't comfortable talking about her relationship with her mom.
He took another bite."How old are you?"
"Twenty."
He exhaled.At least she was an adult.Young, but not a kid.Not a minor he'd accidentally crossed state lines with.His list of laws he'd broken was growing smaller.
"What's your name?"he asked, taking another bite.
She wiped her mouth off with the back of her hand."Does it matter?"
"Nope."He paused."I'll just call you sweetheart."
"Lydia.Lydia James," she blurted.
They finished eating in silence.When he set his fork down, he nodded toward the hallway.
"Spare room's yours."
She stiffened."I'm not staying.Once my clothes are clean, I'm leaving."
"Where are you going?"
"None of your business."
