Page 9 of Dancing with the Devil

He looked at me wearily. “No. You were doing so well, I wondered if you’d like some company.”

I simply shook my head. “You weren’t supposed to see that.”

“But I did; now, I want you to do that little dance for me,” he adjusted himself on his elbows.

“Do you always go into strangers houses demanding a lap dance?”

“Says the stranger dancing half-naked in my colleagues house.”

“I’m not a stranger, genius, I live here,” I retorted. “What areyoudoing at your so-called colleague’s house anyway?”

His answer was vague, and I didn’t like it one bit. The unknown gnawed at my brain profusely. “Work.”

I could almost laugh.Yeah, right.You’re myunemployedfather’s colleague? He must not be very bright. “How did you even get inside?” I questioned, and he casually looked around my room, taking it in.

It wasn’t much, but it was big enough to fit a queen-sized bed, two nightstands, a dresser and built-in, floor-to-ceiling cupboards. With, honorable mention, my pole.

“Miguel let me in.” Okay fine, he knows my father’s name. Big whoop.

“If you’re here to see him, then why are you in my bedroom?”

He sat up, crossing his hands on his lap. “I came up to find the bathroom,” he answered and I slowly nodded.

“Right, and why exactly would loud music be coming from the bathroom?”

He simply fought back a grin. “As far as I’m aware, Miguel lives alone, so when he leaves his house and music comes from one of the rooms…” he trailed off as though he was speaking to a toddler with a developing brain.

I rolled my eyes. “Well, obviously my dad doesn’t live alone,” I snapped back, keeping my distance from him.

“You’re hiskid?” he asked and looked next to me—at the pole—then back at me.

“Yes. His twenty-two year old daughter.” I’m not a ‘kid’.

Big mistake. I didn’t miss the sudden look of interest that flickered behind his eyes.Fuck! That came out completely wrong.

Clearing my throat, I shifted my weight onto one foot. “You need to leave before I call the cops because one, my dad is unemployed, so you being his colleague is complete bullshit, and two… you’re just really annoying,” I explained and his eyes dropped down to my bare legs.

Intently, he dragged his eyes up my body and suddenly, my arms wrapped around my stomach as my heart raced in my chest.

He stood up and I immediately grabbed my robe to my left. I threw it on and he put both hands behind his back. “Where’s my dad?” I eyed him down.

“Donuts,” he easily replied, stopping mid step. I couldn’t help but smile. “Sweetheart—”

“Okay, enough with the pet names,” I dragged out my vowels, looking at him in annoyance.

“Are you going to tell me your real name?” he asked and I scoffed.

“Hard pass,” I faked a smile. “I’d rather not be in one of your weird fantasies,” I shot back and the corners of his eyes wrinkled as his eyes narrowed in on me. “Or on the list of your ‘next victim’.”

“Sweetheartit is. And you thinkI’dfantasize aboutyou?”Like anyone else would want him.

“Oh, I’m sure with your charming personality and kind, loving demeanor, women line up at your door,” I drawled, making my sarcasm known. “Wouldn’t be surprised if I’m the first womanactuallyinteracting with you.”

He continued taking slow, steady steps towards me and my legs felt heavy, preventing me from moving. “There’s no way my father let an asshole like you, into our home,” I shook my head.

“You’re brave to call a man an asshole when you’re standing half-naked in front of him—alone.”

“Yeah, and you’restupidto assume that I’m afraid of you,” I lifted my chin, staring up into his eyes. “And also, maybe it’s ‘cause you’re not really that intimidating,” I shrugged my right shoulder.Yes, he is! Shut up.