Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22548 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22548 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
I could see the way they watched each other. Charlie would get literal hearts in her eyes, which is not Charlie-like at all. The girl could murder someone with a glare. The first day of school she punched the quarterback in the nose. Now that is very on brand for Charlie, not heart eyes.
Me: I know.
Charlie: I wanted to tell you.
Me: I get it. It's safe with me.
It's not as though I’ve told her about my new boss or that I even got a job. I can't hold it against her, and she might have some advice for me. If anything, I know she wouldn't judge. Not with how her own love life is playing out.
I toss my phone on the bed and grab a new pair of panties before I wiggle my butt into the dress. It's too small, which isn’t shocking. My stepmother always has something to say about my weight. I ignore it because if it wasn't that, it would be something else.
My fingers run across the bows that line my vanity, and it’s irritating knowing I can’t wear them. I have every color. Or at least I did until I stepped through the door this evening. I grab the heels off my bed and put them on before exiting my bedroom. I have to grip the railing on the stairs as I slowly descend them so that I don’t trip.
Finally, I reach the bottom and see my father and Anne in the entryway greeting a couple around their age. There’s another man with them that I’m guessing is in his twenties.
“Tinsley,” my father calls to me when he sees me standing on the bottom step. He motions for me to come closer. “I have someone for you to meet.”
“Hello,” I say to the strangers as I stand beside my father.
“This is my daughter, Tinsley,” he tells them. "Tinsley, this is Lee and Sherry Ray, along with their son Carl." I take each of their hands in greeting as I recall my father talking about the Rays a few times. Something about wanting to do business with them.
“So this is the famous Tinsley we’ve heard all about.” Sherry gives me a tight smile that’s similar to Anne’s. I’m taken aback that my father has mentioned me, let alone spoken about me more than once. “She is pretty, isn’t she, Carl?”
“Very,” Carl says and smirks. His eyes roam over my body quickly, and I fight not to squirm from the uncomfortable feeling he's giving me.
“Tinsley, why don’t you get Carl a drink?” my father nudges.
“Okay, would you like a drink?” I ask, suddenly feeling awkward and like I might be missing something.
“I’d love one.”
Carl reaches out and takes my elbow, but I quickly tuck my arm tightly against my side so he has to let go. I brush it off by leading him to the den while everyone else slowly follows behind.
Now I’m beginning to realize what’s happening. All the small mentions about marriage here and there over the past few months start adding up.
This is a setup, and it feels oh so wrong.
Chapter Six
CALLUM
“You’re late.” I’m standing in front of my desk with my arms crossed over my chest as Tinsley walks in four minutes late.
“But—”
“No excuses.” I point to my desk and wait for her to follow the rules.
“Yes, sir,” she says quietly, but there’s no mischievous blush like yesterday.
She’s almost emotionless as she walks to my desk, reaches under her skirt, and deposits her panties on my desk. After she’s finished, she turns around, awaiting her instructions.
Seems like my princess might need a little push today. “When you were late yesterday, the price of your tardiness was your panties.”
Tinsley looks back at my desk like she needs to make sure she just left them there. “Sir, I did what you told me to do.”
“I told you yesterday that when you come to work unprepared you lose an article of clothing. I didn’t specify it would be the same article of clothing over and over. It’s cumulative, Miss Moore. Much like my time that you continue to use up with your tardiness.” I take a step toward her. “Every day an additional item of clothing will be removed until you learn to respect my rules.”
I tower over her as she looks up at me through her lashes.
“Do not make me ask again.”
She sucks in a breath, and then I see the beautiful flush of her cheeks as she reaches for the front of her shirt. “Yes, sir.”
I can’t look away as she easily unbuttons her uniform shirt and slips it off her shoulders. To her credit, she doesn’t try to cover her body or hide it from me as she reaches her hand out and places it on my desk.
“Good girl.” My voice is husky as I stare down at her, the swell of her full breasts pushing against the simple cotton of her bra. Her tight nipples strain against the material, and I wish I could trace my knuckles over them.