“See you later, Gid.” She hung up. I couldn’t explain the odd sensation in my chest or my gut, but it wasn’t unpleasant. The thought of having my place filled with people cheered me up. It would be the first time in years the house would have life.
And that was fucking sad.
Chapter Nine
Fiona
“I’m heading over there now. And I brought all the essentials.” I pulled onto the huge driveway moments later. “Jade. You should see this guy’s house. It’s…wow. I feel inferior breathing near it. It looks like it could be onMillion Dollar Listing—blah.”
“Yeah? How many windows does it have? Is there a maid? Oh, I bet he has a butler.”
“You are no help,” I scoffed at her and parked by the sidewalk. The property had red brick all the way to the door and a perfectly manicured lawn. I eyed the stain on my shirt.Fuck.I’d spilled coffee on it and hadn’t thought it mattered, but now embarrassment and unease took root in my chest. “But really, if I don’t call you tomorrow come search for my body.”
“Ha ha. You’ll be just fine. Have fun. Maybe we’ll get brunch tomorrow?”
“Sure. I’ll tell you all about tonight. Shit. He sees me awkwardly standing outside. I gotta go. Bye.”
Her laughed echoed when I hung up and I shouldered my backpack. I’d made the choice to not tell my sisters I was staying at his house. They would’ve concocted some asinine plan to seduce him. They were crazy that way. Telling Jade was the smart decision. Backpack on, attitude in place, I marched up to the door. It was all I needed for the night. “Your eminence. Your place doesn’t look too shabby. Hope you got a good deal for it.”
“I did. Why do you call me that shit? Explain.” Arms crossed, signature frown, deliciously tight shirt. He leaned against the huge wooden front door and made no moves to help me with my stuff. Not that I expected it. He wasnota gentleman.
I ran my tongue over my bottom lip, a grin bursting to get out. But I remained stoic. “Nah, I’m good.”
“Because I look like a king?” One eyebrow rose and it would’ve been endearing if I didn’t despise the guy.
“I’m not sharing my secrets with you.” I laughed to myself and picked up the large sack of snacks. “Don’t worry about helping. I got it, big guy.”
Annoyance flickered over his face and he stormed into the house.Cool. Glad we’re off to a good start.I entered the foyer and stopped. It was marble. Sky-high windows. It was gorgeous, yet there was almost no furniture. “Git, you have a fucking nice house.”
“That’s it. What did you call me?”
Oh shit.I’d thought he was in the kitchen, but nope. He appeared right in front of me. Maybe a foot away. His aftershave or cologne smelled like heaven and my mouth watered. I jutted out my chin, setting my stuff on the ground. The sound echoed in the empty room, but I was ready to battle. “I said Git because you’re acting like one.”
“My name is Gideon. I thought we were past this.” He sighed, his lips forming the perfect unhappy scowl. His minty breath hit me in the face and I briefly thought about what he tasted like.But I hate this guy.
“We’rewaypast it. I know your name. I prefer your highness, git or douche-canoe, though.”Why am I baiting him? Why do I enjoy it? Am I sick, getting off from annoying him? Yes. Yes, I am.
“Explain.” He reached out to do something, but he pulled his hand back, the muscles in his arm teasing me. His dark eyebrows came together, creating the cutest dimple between his eyes.Damn his face.“I don’t get it.”
“Look, I’d rather not. You hate me. I really don’t like you. Let’s not complicate it for the next eleven weeks.” I went to move past his arm, but it remained in all its muscly glory. He stopped me with his strong hand. He brought his digits around my arm and the stark contrast of his tan fingers and my pale skin made my belly swoop.
“I don’t hate you.”
I burst out laughing. Like, belly-laughing. “Wow. Thank you. I feel so blessed. Yes. Thank you for not hating me.” I picked up my stuff and wiped tears from under my eyes. “Now, be helpful and show me where the kitchen is before the vultures arrive.”
He didn’t respond. Instead, he picked up the bag of treats and scoffed. “What did I tell you about sweets?”
“They are teenagers. We will have fifteen in your house. What do you suppose we entertain them with? Books? Fruit? Hm?” I cocked a hip and waited, but he just stared at me. He eyed me from my feet to my face and I blushed.Shit.“Don’t make fun of me. I wanted to be comfortable and not attractive. Not with sixteen teenage boys here.”
There. That’ll explain why I chose to wear old sweatpants that said WINNER on the ass with a baseball tee with a stain.But Gideon frowned. “There are fifteen on the team.”
“Yeah. I consider you another kid.” I crossed my eyes at him and sorted the treats and movies I’d brought. I didn’t miss the slight, barely noticeable lift of his lip.Interesting.“Tell me you have videogames in this mansion.”
“I do. I have four TVs downstairs. My bedroom is down there too, if you’re wondering.”
“Why in the ever-loving hell do you havefourTVs?”Our piece of shit hardly works.A shot of jealousy went through me. I couldn’t imagine having that much wealth.He donated a million dollars. Go easier on him.“And I wasn’t. But thanks for divulging that info. I can text it out to the moms if you want.”
His nostrils flared twice before he answered. “When I had surgery earlier this year, I couldn’t do anything. I needed to entertain myself. Two are for watching games, the other two, playing videogames. It’s a nice setup. Plus, my therapy room is down there.” He picked up the box of popcorn and I jerked it out of his hands.
