Page 54 of Feral
“Noooo! Look what you did, you’ve ruined my nail polish!”
Chuckling, I release her hand and she instantly goes back to re-do it, casting a punishing glare my way.
“Yes, Jacob. I already told you I would. You just have to have more trust in people. God!”
I scratch my beard and stare at her for the longest time. Perhaps my punishment should have been more lenient.
“I think I’ll make it a new rule. No leaving the bed before me in the morning.”
She looks up only once, her expression speaking volumes. “Hmm. Jacob and his rules. I don’t remember consenting to you fucking me in my sleep.”
Fuck.
Her sassy little mouth is driving me wild with lust.
“Are you talking back to me, Gemma? How many times do I have to tell you that you’re mine now? You’d better get used to it, sweetheart. I’m going to fuck you whatever time of day or night I fucking want. I will fuck you on your period and I will fuck you in your sleep too. And you’d better learn to live with it, otherwise, you’re free to leave this old man. I’m sure you’ll find plenty of ignorant little boys out there who can satisfy you the way I do.”
“Well, aren’t you cocky this bright morning!”
Standing, I turn to walk back inside. “I’ll let your ill manners pass this time, in light of such good news.”
Her voice stops me a moment later. “There’s only canned food and frozen meat, it’s not exactly my choice for a healthy breakfast.”
I turn around, catch her eye. “I’m afraid not, sweetie. You’re going to have to make do with what’s already here.”
Bastien walks in on us right at that moment, holding a steaming cup of coffee. He almost drops it when his eyes land on her wearing nothing but flip-flops and a wicked grin on her pretty face.
“Jesus, dad. Is this one of your new things, too? Have your woman parading around butt naked?”
I fix him with a hard stare and he drops the subject instantly.
“I can head to town,” he continues, seemingly unfazed. “Gemma can come with me to the farmer's market. No offense, dad, but she’s right. You need some fresh veggies and some good coffee, more food besides meat and beer. I'm surprised how you even drink this thing.”
“Great idea! I'll go get some clothes on!” she cheers, shooting up like a spring.
“You are not going anywhere, young lady. You’re grounded until I say you aren’t, remember?”
“Please, Jacob! Don’t be mean! Let me go, it’ll be fun to go shopping at the market.”
I stare down at her, annoyed. “You'll stay. End of discussion.”
She scowls at me defiantly but I will have none of her shenanigans.
“Glad that's settled,” Bastien says flatly. He takes a long sip of the aromatic liquid and walks back inside to give us some privacy but I don't have anything more to say and I am unprepared for her next words.
“Why are you acting like this, huh? Do you consider your son a threat, is that it? Are you afraid he might charm his way into my heart and steal me away from you?”
I look at this creature who I welcomed into my home and my life and wonder if I am a madman for wanting to shack up with a girl less than half my age. The urge to slap her overwhelms me but I try to squash it down.
She doesn't need a bully in her life.
Besides, I promised that I'd take care of her.
And I fucking will.
Taking a deep breath, I close the distance between us and tilt her head to look into her sparkling eyes. She stares back into mine and I want to kiss those beautiful lips so bad it fucking hurts.
But this is not the time for softness.
