Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 47597 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 238(@200wpm)___ 190(@250wpm)___ 159(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47597 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 238(@200wpm)___ 190(@250wpm)___ 159(@300wpm)
"He's just doing me a favor." I huff out a breath. "What am I going to do?"
"Are you asking for advice?"
"Maybe?"
"I don't know," she says simply.
"Well, gee, that was helpful."
She laughs at my snarky tone. "I just mean…I don't know what you should do. I don't know why you're so opposed to giving Jareth a chance. Maybe you should figure that out."
Isn't that the problem? I have figured it out. He isn't the problem here. I am. I'm always the problem.
"I don't want either of us to end up hurt. His life is here, and I'm going back to Tennessee soon."
"I think it's probably too late for that already, Zoya," she says, planting her hands on top of the picnic table to haul herself to her feet. "He's never been like this with anyone, and neither have you. Regardless of when it ends, it's going to hurt."
"Yeah," I whisper, glancing down at the scarred tabletop. I think she's right about that because the thought of leaving already hurts like hell.
How much worse will it be if I really let him in?
I'm not sure I'm brave enough to find out.
Five minutes after Nadia slips away, Jareth strolls toward me, his shadow blocking the sun. I tip my head back, staring up at him. He's dressed in a simple T-shirt and jeans, his hair a little wild. He didn't shave this morning. The scruff on his jaw is damn sexy.
My stomach turns a flip as his lips curve into a wicked grin.
"You looked lonely over here."
"What were you talking about with my parents?" I ask.
"Hello to you, too, princess," he practically purrs, chuckling.
"I'm serious, Jareth."
"Worried?"
"No," I lie.
"Maybe we were talking about the weather. Maybe we were talking about you." He shrugs, his smile growing. "Can't remember."
I scowl up at him, tensing. "Are you always so infuriating?"
"Depends on the day."
My scowl slips, a tiny smile replacing it. "At least you're honest."
"What can I say? I was a good little Boy Scout."
"You are so full of it. You were not a Boy Scout!"
"I was. All the way up until I was fifteen."
I gape at him, shocked. He's serious. "I was a Girl Scout for five minutes."
"Five minutes, huh?" He chuckles, hoisting himself up onto the table beside me. "You get booted out?"
"I ran off to play with a dog." I laugh at the memory. "Our troop leader was not happy when she found me rolling around in the mud with a stray Rottweiler instead of picking flowers with the other girls."
Jareth laughs, his thigh bumping mine. "Why am I not surprised?"
"I liked the dog more than the flowers," I say, shrugging. "My parents decided volunteering at the animal shelter would probably be more my speed than Girl Scouts."
"Were they right?"
"Yeah," I whisper, smiling. "They were right. I want to open my own rescue someday." I sneak a glance up at him. "What were the three of you talking about?"
"Innessa."
I blink at him.
"Your Dad was trying to convince me that she needs a good man."
"He did not!"
"He did."
"Oh my god," I groan, shooting a look at my parents. My mom has her head resting on his shoulder while he plays with the ends of her hair. They look so happy. "He is shameless."
And that isn't jealousy seething through me. Nope, not at all.
"He just wants the best for his daughters."
"Innessa is in love with Maddox."
"Jealous?" Jareth teases.
"Of Innessa and Maddox?" I ask, intentionally playing dumb as I hop up from the bench. "Not at all. I already have a boyfriend."
A soft growl rumbles from deep in Jareth's chest, his eyes narrowing on me. "You locked your door last night."
"Yes, because I have a boyfriend."
He growls again, his eyes flashing holy fire. "Who are you trying to convince, Zoya? Me or yourself?"
"I don't need to convince anyone," I lie. "You can think whatever you want."
"Leave your door unlocked tonight."
"Don't tell me what to do, Jareth."
"Leave the door unlocked, princess."
"No."
"Fine." He smirks at me. "Then I'll find another way to get you alone." He pauses, his expression taunting. "Or maybe I won't even wait until you're alone to put my hands all over you next time."
"I…you…" I snap my mouth closed, scowling at him before I turn and stomp away, my heart pounding. There's no way he'll follow through on that threat…right?
Jesus. Why does part of me want to find out?
Idon't leave my door unlocked for him, and I'm not entirely sure if I'm defying him because I want to see how far he'll go or not. But I do spend the next two days going to great lengths to avoid him, seriously worried he meant it. He knows the property like the back of his hand. I don't. I spend half my time looking over my shoulder for him as I race from one wedding-related activity to the next.