“No kidding.” I blew air through my lips, flicking my gaze over to Leo reorganizing the fridge. “Is it terminal, doc?”
The corner of her lip tilted up in a smirk. “It just might be.”
I scraped my spoon at the last dregs of chocolate ice cream they’d served me in the wake of Hurricane Dom — the delicious food in this place almost made up for its inhospitable host. It was the expensive kind, too — rich and creamy.
As I licked the spoon clean, I didn’t miss the way that Spencer’s eyes lingered on my lips.
“You about ready for bed?” Leo asked, grabbing my empty bowl and ushering it to the dishwasher for me.
“Yeah, I’m exhausted. But are you sure…?” My eyes flicked to the doorway, to Dom’s malice lingering in the threshold like a shadow.
Leo placed a hand on my shoulder, her little squeeze bringing me back to Earth. “Don’t worry about her. She talks a big game, but she doesn’t want us turning you out tonight. Not now that you’re already here.”
I bit my lip, doubting that. But the truth was, I had nowhere else to go, even if I wanted to leave. And if these two wanted to risk a fight with their roommate over me, that didn’t seem like my problem.
“If you’re sure…thanks.” I smiled, rubbing the back of my neck.
“Any time.” Spencer pushed off the counter, leading the way to the door. “Come on. Let’s show you your quarters.”
I followed her down the hallway and up a winding back staircase, letting Leo bring up the rear. It was a wonder they didn’t get lost in this place — I’d be hard pressed to find the front door, but for some reason, the presence of these two women made me feel like for once I didn’t need to have an escape plan.
After a minute of walking, Spencer stopped in front of a deep mahogany door, swinging it open to reveal a four poster bed in the center of a spacious, moonlit room. “Here’s you.”
I slid past her, schooling my face as I stepped into the moonlight. The room was even more impressive from within — across from the bed, the room expanded far beyond the reaches of my imagination, with a fireplace, a massive wardrobe, and matching mahogany furniture throughout, all leading to a bay window that overlooked the eastern edge of the property.
Compared to the rest of the house, it was relatively well-decorated, just with a bit less flourish than the rest of the mansion. The heavy velvet drapes looked new, as did the carpet that framed the bed. Small Grecian statues sat on the shelves,and if the opulence of the rest of the house was anything to go off of, I didn’t doubt they might be real marble.
But as I gazed out at the sprawling, meticulously manicured property, all pretense was lost. “Wow. This is theguest room?”
“Nicest one we have.” Spencer winked.
“Make yourself at home. En suite’s over there.” Leo nodded to a door I’d assumed was a closet. “Feel free to make use of anything in here — tonight, anything you want is yours.”
“And if you have any nightmares, my room’s just a little ways down the hall. My bed’s always open if you need someone to snuggle up to.”
Leo groaned. “Seriously, Spence?”
Spencer grinned, a wolf despite her sheepish shrug. “Just trying to make sure the lady feels safe.”
“Being less of a perv would do wonders toward that goal.” Leo glared at her friend before turning those caramel eyes back onto me. “But seriously, if you need anything, just let us know.”
“Thanks.” I smiled, placing a hand on the door as they stepped out into the hallway.
“Good night, Kiera.” Leo smiled, leading the way down the hallway.
“Good night, Bunny.” Spencer smirked, leaning against the doorframe as she whispered. “Just know the offer’s still on the table. Even for a straight girl.”
I rolled my eyes, unable to help the laugh that bubbled from my chest at her unabashed flirting. “I’ll keep that in mind. Good night.”
As I closed the door, I made a mental note to ask Spencer what “bunny” was all about in the morning.
Soon enough, the sound of their retreating footsteps was replaced with complete and utter silence. The absence made my chest tighten, but I quickly replaced the sound with my own pacing.
Each step I took echoed off the walls and up to the vaulted ceiling. I couldn’t help my eyes from drifting up, lingering on the painted, pastoral mural and golden chandelier of the guest room.
How fucking rich is she?
The mansion made more sense after seeing her: a button-up, designer shirt, a tailored black suit jacket, and a luxury watch. The way she barked out orders, the way she thought she was above everyone else.
