Page 29 of Hate Me Like You Mean It

Exhausted, wired, and fully satisfied with everything I’d accomplished so far today, I slumped back into the cushions with a gratified smile. Dominic didn’t drop his palm.

It took a few beats for me to relax and fully catch my breath. And another two to realize I was staring at him.

Or was he staring at me?

I couldn’t tell. I also couldn’t look away. His eyes had the gravitational pull of the sun, and the press of his palm was making tiny little sparks sprout under my skin.

His gaze started to become lazy and half-lidded, until it grew too heavy and had no choice but to dip down. It lingered on the dark blue hoodie I was drowning in with the same hazy look he’d given my mouth when I’d licked my lips?—

“I’d rather eat the cricket.”

I blinked.

Frowned.

Turned my head to the side so he’d get the hint and drop his hand.

He may have preferred the cricket, but I’d rather be declawed and burned at the stake than have him touch me any more than was strictly necessary.

“Are we done here?” I asked coolly when my mouth was finally free. “I need to get back to work.”

He stretched out the hand he’d been silencing me with and cleared his throat before wiping it over his sweatpants.

I took it the way he intended—personally.

“No, Alice. We’re not done. Consider whatever further destruction you had planned on indefinite hold.”

“I didn’t have any other destruction planned for today,” I said. “Just an honest day’s work filled with cooking, cleaning, and laundry.”

It wasn’t going to bemyfault when every single suit lining his closet ended up with massive iron burns. I was just a girl. A mere heiress.

I didn’t even know what an iron looked like.

Or how to plug one in.

I didn’t know how to plug anything in.

Whatwasan outlet?

“You’re doing the Grinch grin,” Dominic said.

“I’m not doing the Grinch grin.” My expression had been kept impressively stoic. Unlike him, I didn’t wear my every emotion right where it could be seen, manipulated, and taken advantage of.

“Your eyes are doing it.”

“I don’t think they are. I think you’re just being paranoid.”

“Here’s how this is going to work from now on,” he said, ignoring me. “I’m not letting you out of my sight from the second you step onto my property until it’s time for you to leave.”

“What if I have to go to the bathroom?”

“Tough luck.”

“What ifyouhave to use the bathroom?”

“I’ll tie you to a pillar until I’m back.”

My brows lifted. “You’re not willing to leave me alone for a thirty-second bathroom break?”