Page 65 of The Bronze Garza

I spot an umbrellaed table with two chairs plus a bench and start toward it.

“Have you eaten?” His voice slides over me like a silk robe.

“Yes,” I lie.

“When?”

“Earlier.”

“It’s quarter to nine. You get up at eight AM every morning without fail. Never earlier, never later. Sowhendid you eat?”

“Maybe I got up earlier this morning,” I bite out as I reach the table, setting my laptop down. “What do you care?”

“I care that you don’t starve on my watch.”

“I’ll eat when I’m hungry.” I sit down in one of the chairs. “Now can you please leave me alone? I have work to do.”

His brows raise. “Work?”

“Yes, I’m writing a book.” I cross my legs and his eyes fall to them, lingering for longer than they should. “You’re in it,” I say, dragging his attention back to my face. With a sweet smile, I tell him, “You die in the end.”

Something glints in his eyes. Is that amusement? “Sounds interesting. Won’t hold you up much longer then.”

He turns and strides toward the fence, then unlocks a small gate I hadn’t noticed before. He slips over to the other side and walks away from me without a backward glance.

And I loathe myself for leering after his retreating form until it’s no longer in view.

God, I’m pathetic.

Here I sit salivating after him, when he’s probably gone over there to try and win Ms. Mind-Blowing back.

My life sucks.

Big time.

ChapterSeventeen

“Business first, pleasantries later.”

Torin

There was a time when Iloved her so much it was hard to breathe.

But giving her up in exchange for a wholesome relationship with my brother is a decision I have never, or will ever, regret.

I see the moment she spots me in the mirrored wall of the B&B kitchen, her beautiful features rearranging into a scowl. She hates me for a lie I’d made her believe to be true. And I’m fine with it. She’ll never know the truth. It’s better that way.

She curses in Spanish and Monica slaps her arm. “Lexi!”

“Sorry, Monica,” she says, rubbing her arm. “But that’s what happens whendemonsare around.”

Monica, who still hasn’t noticed me, spins around from where she and Lexi were poring over a menu with the chef. When her eyes land on me, her frown melts away, understanding her stepdaughter’s outburst. Lexi’s enmity toward me is common knowledge in the family.

I walk up and plant a kiss to Monica’s cheek. “Morning, Mon.”

Lexi scowls at me. “How many times do I have to ban you from my property?”

“You’re cute,” I tell her, knowing it’ll only piss her off more.