Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 77341 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77341 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
“Oh, he’s inside taking a call. I’m just waiting for my car.”
“Do you need a ride somewhere?” He jabs his thumb over his shoulder. “I can get Damaris, that’s my wife, and we can give you a ride somewhere. But be warned, she listens to nineties country music in the car and really feels herself when Lorrie Morgan comes on.”
“No,” I say, returning his smile. “But thank you. I’ve already called for someone to pick me up.”
He shrugs like it’s no big deal either way. “You’re Jason Brewer’s sister, aren’t you?”
“Yes. How did you know that?”
“I saw you with him at the auction earlier today. When you bid an astronomical amount for a date with my son.” He smirks. “Was that what was happening here—your date? Because I sure as hell hope I taught my son how to date a woman properly.”
My insides twist. “Oh, no. No date. And it was more of a charitable donation than anything. We—”
“What’s going on out here?” The porch shakes as Foxx steps out onto it.
Clearly, he’s talking to me. Obviously, I’m ignoring him.
Kixx glances at us, quickly assessing the situation. “Oh, I was just doing my chores and thought I’d—”
“Not you, Dad.”
“Oh.”
“Why don’t you come inside, Bianca?” Foxx asks, his words sharp.
I smile as brightly as I can. “That’s okay. My car should be pulling up soon, so I’ll just wait out here.”
Kixx holds his hands in front of him. “Kids, I think I’m going to go. It was very nice to meet you, Bianca.”
“You, too, Kixx. Enjoy your grandchickens.”
He chuckles. “I will. Be safe in your travels.”
“I will.”
Kixx slips into the shadows. As soon as he’s out of sight, my annoyance with his son slips right back over me.
“You don’t need to wait out here with me,” I say, turning to the road. “I can do this alone.”
His energy slams into me from behind. “What are you doing?”
“All right. I’ll rephrase. Leave me the fuck alone.”
“All right. I’ll rephrase. Get back inside the fucking house.”
Oh no, you don’t …
A set of headlights shine up the road.
“That’s my ride,” I say, glaring at him over my shoulder. “I can’t do this, and it has everything to do with you.”
He glares back at me, his facial features severe in the low light. His temple pulses as he works his jaw back and forth. “Who is in the car?”
“That’s really none of your business.”
“I’m going to ask you one more time.”
“You can ask me a dozen more times for all I care.”
Foxx’s brows shoot to the sky. “Excuse me?”
“You’re excused.”
I turn to leave, but he spins me around to face him.
A small gasp spills from my lips. I’m not sure if it’s from him touching me or the redirection, but my blood pressure skyrockets. I grip the railing for support.
“You aren’t getting in that car,” he says, peering down at me.
“Bet me.”
“Let’s not forget the reason you’re here.”
I narrow my eyes even more. “Cool. But let’s not forget the reason I’m leaving, either.”
The car pulls to a stop at the end of the driveway. I give the driver a gesture to wait a moment.
“You are not getting in that car,” Foxx says, his voice icy.
I fire him the most hateful look I can manage and pivot. But I don’t even get one step to the stairs when Foxx steps in front of me.
“Move,” I say.
“Over my dead body.”
“Keep standing in my way, and we can make that happen.”
He wants to smile.
“Stop this,” I say, my tone as close to a growl as I’ve ever heard it.
Sweat dots the back of my neck, and I yank my hand away from his. But I don’t step back. That’s what he wants me to do.
“I don’t know why you think it’s acceptable to do this to me, but it’s not,” I say. “And I find it incredibly ironic that you just gave me a lecture about taking care of myself and then fuck with my head in the very next breath.” I lean away from him. “I’m taking your advice and doing something good for me—and I’m leaving.”
He cuts me off again. “You can either turn your ass around and walk back inside, or I’ll pick you up and carry you.”
“You wouldn’t dare.”
“Is that a bet you really want to take?”
A horn echoes through the small neighborhood, making me jump.
“In the house. Now,” he says, eerily calm.
“Foxx—”
“Someone out there wants to hurt you, Bianca. Now, get in the fucking house.”
His tone is not to be messed with. But I am not either.
“There’s someone in front of me that apparently wants to hurt me, too,” I say, keeping my eyes glued to his. “Considering I know how badly it’ll feel when this person does it, I’ll take my chances on the other. I—ah!”
I’m swept off my feet and tossed over Foxx’s shoulder in one fluid movement. He holds me down with one arm over the backs of my legs and the other pressed just above my ass.