Page 28 of Tempting Frankie (Lust & Luxury #1)

Francesca

SEVEN DAYS LEFT

I 'm sprawled on our lumpy couch, buried under a mountain of blankets that smell faintly of Kat’s weed and desperation. It's been exactly twenty-three hours and seventeen minutes since I last saw Alexander, not that I'm counting or anything.

“Frankie, you gotta eat something,” Kat says, waving a slice of pizza under my nose. “I got your favorite—extra cheese, extra grease, extra regret.”

I grunt and burrow deeper into my blanket cocoon. “Not hungry.”

“Bullshit.” She flops down next to me, jostling the couch and sending a wave of nausea through my stomach. “Come on, spill. What's got you looking like someone ran over your favorite heels and then backed up to finish the job?”

I want to tell her everything. But the words stick in my throat. If I say it out loud, it becomes real.

“It's nothing,” I mumble. “Just…stuff.”

Kat snorts. “Yeah, and I'm the fucking Queen of England. Try again, sis.”

My phone buzzes, and I can't resist peeking. It's Alexander.

I hope you're taking care of yourself, little one. Remember, your body is a temple, and I'm its most devoted worshipper. Don't make me come over there and force-feed you myself.

A reluctant smile tugs at my lips. Even from a distance, he knows exactly what to say to make me feel both cherished and slightly turned on.

“Ooh, is that Daddy Warbucks?” Kat waggles her eyebrows, trying to snatch my phone. “Let me see what's got you blushing like a virgin on prom night.”

I clutch the phone to my chest, feeling my face heat up even more. “It's private!”

“Private, my ass. Nothing's private in this family.” She grins, then sobers. “Seriously, though. Did something happen with Alexander? Is that why you're here, drowning in self-pity?”

I shake my head, feeling tears prick at my eyes. “No, it's not. Alexander's perfect. Too perfect. I don't deserve him.”

“Okay, now I know something's fucked up,” Kat says, her voice gentle. “You wanna tell me what's really going on?”

I take a shake breath before the words come tumbling all out.