Covet - Eve Vaughn Page 0,29

around my waist and practically lifted me off my feet and twirled me away from Ian. In the back of my mind I knew he was still there, but I couldn’t tear my eyes off of Nick.

I think I spent the rest of the night in a daze as we danced until we were the only two people left on the dancefloor.

From there we’d gone to a twenty-four-hour dinner and chatted over coffee until the sun peeked through the horizon. By the time I made it home, I knew I was in love with him. My heart told me this was the man I was going to risk everything for and spend the rest of my life with. We became inseparable after that. He was my everything. My handsome knight in shining armor. I didn’t think anything could come between us…until I met his brother.

A sharp poke to my side jolted me upright in my seat.

“We’re here. Get out.”

It took me a moment for my senses to return. I must have dozed off on the way to Nick’s house. I was so exhausted from the long laborious day that once my body was cradled in the soft leather of his car seat, I could no longer fight the sleep that had been threatening to take me out.

I let out a deep yawn before getting out of his car. There was a time when Nick insisted that I wait until he opened the door for me. But this was just a subtle reminder that I would be receiving none of his hospitality.

I was surprised that he took my suitcase, but I didn’t say anything. I was too exhausted to speak which would probably just lead to an argument with him anyway.

Most of the house was cloaked in darkness. but it was just as I remembered save some minor changes here and there. Nick didn’t give me much chance to look around anyway because he headed upstairs, and he didn’t need to tell me that I was expected to follow.

Part of me breathed a heavy sigh of relief when he led me to one of his guest bedrooms.

“You can sleep here tonight. If you need anything, you can get it yourself. My housekeeper is taking a much-needed vacation, and I might as well put you to use while you’re here. Set your alarm for six o’clock to fix me breakfast as I’ll be downstairs at 7:45 for my meal.”

“Wait, you expect me to cook for you?”

“Among other things. Will that be a problem Francesca?”

I thought about it for a moment, and while I didn’t think he would bring me here in the capacity of a maid, maybe that was better than the alternative. Cooking and cleaning I could handle. The other stuff…well, I didn’t want to think about it.

I shook my head vehemently. “No, I have no problem with it. I suppose you want me to clean the house for you as well?”

“I guess no one could ever accuse you of being stupid. You can clean all the rooms except mine. I’ll take care of that myself. Mary keeps the cleaning supplies in the utility closet by the laundry room. I will call you when I’m on my way home from work. I will expect dinner by the time I get home. You should have plenty to do during the daytime. You are not to leave this house without my permission.”

“What if I need groceries?”

“Mary has set up a weekly delivery. If you need something added to the grocery list, then you can leave a list on the refrigerator for me to add. Any more questions?”

A lump formed in my throat. I didn’t know why after all this time and all that he’d thrown at me up until now sliced into my heart. I shook my head.

He stared at me long and hard, his expression giving nothing away. For a moment I thought he would approach, but instead he turned on his heel and headed out the door. Just as he made it to the threshold, he turned.

“Francesca, welcome to your new life for the next two months. Don’t for one second think this will be a walk in the park for you. As I said before, I’m a man of my word, and I intend to make you suffer for what you did.”

And with that, he was gone leaving me standing in the room feeling as if my entire world was about to explode.

Chapter Nine

Nick

This was a huge mistake. I shouldn’t