Page 31 of Stolen to Forever
“You’d be surprised.”
“Well, don’t be surprised when it all goes to my ass,” I tease, and Vaughn’s eyes travel down my body.
“I think I could handle more of you.”He smirks.
I roll my eyes but turn my head so he doesn’t see me blush.He’s such a flirt and I’m a sucker for it too.I’m sure it’s how he is with everyone but I can’t help but enjoy it more than I should.
“How are we going to get all this back to my place?”I hadn't thought that far ahead when Vaughn was filling the cart, but we’re only a few blocks away.
“I got it.”Vaughn gives the cashier the money for the groceries before picking them up all in one swoop.
They dangle off one of his giant arms as the other comes around and guides me out of the store.He gives the guards a chin lift before I see his eyes glance around.I could be wrong but I think there are more guards than I realized and I wouldn't put it past the Warsaw men to have a dozen of them on me.My sister’s husband would do anything for her, and if that means having an army watch me then so be it.I’d be concerned with what something like that cost, but after talking to my sister and doing some digging I discovered none of them are ever going to be hurting for money.If they want to hand out jobs to people, who am I to stop them?
We make it back to my place in no time and Vaughn never lets me help him with the bags.I finish the candy bar just as we walk in and he goes straight into the kitchen.
“Was it good?”he asks as he drops the bags down onto the counter.
“It made me hungrier, I think,” I huff, falling back onto the sofa.I didn't do much moving around today because all I really did was study.Still somehow I feel worn out, at least in my head.I should probably get back at it.
“Watch TV.”He walks over to the coffee table and picks up the remote.I never watch the thing and only turn it on sometimes so the house isn't so quiet.
“I should study.”I look over to my backpack that’s on the floor.
“Rest your mind.”He flips through the channels and stops when he lands onThe Mummy.I perk up as he sets the remote down and goes back into the kitchen.
“This is my favorite movie,” I say, more to myself than to him.
“I figured you’d like that one.It’s why I picked it.”I glance over at him and see he’s unloading the groceries.
“Why?”I ask.I turn to watch him instead of the movie, and who can blame me?
“Between all the history books and what I saw on that Kindle of yours.”
“You looked at my Kindle?!”I shout like he’s been digging through my underwear drawer.
“There’s nothing wrong with a little romance.”He turns to look at me with a smug smile.“Do you write?”His question catches me off guard.
He’s a lot better at reading me than I realize.Vaughn plays the laidback brother with a carefree attitude and jokes, but he doesn't miss a thing.I think part of it might be an act, like when a woman plays dumb to get more information out of someone.
“I want to,” I admit, feeling shy now.“I mean, I have written some but—” I shake my head.“Never mind.”I turn back toward the TV.
I’m a history major with a minor in English.I love to read and write and I’ve read everything I can get my hands on since I was a kid.I was always drawn to history.
“Historicals.”Vaughn steps in front of the TV, blocking my view.I hadn't seen him move.“That’s what you’ve written, right?”
I shrug noncommittally even though he’s right.
“Don’t shrug it off.That’s fucking cool.You should let me read some of it.”
“You want to read it?”I snort, but his face doesn't change.It’s not playful and there’s no smirk pulling at his lips.He’s serious.
“I’ll think about it,” I give in.
I’ve never let someone read something I’ve written that wasn't for work or school.Not even Collins.She knows I dream of writing, but I figured I’d end up doing research or working for a museum of some kind, maybe even a library.One of my professors actually offered me a job after graduation but I turned it down.My plans were always to go back to Collins, but now she isn't there anymore.
“You think about it while I cook.”This time I see his cocky grin.“But I always get what I’m after,” he finishes before giving me one of those killer winks and walking into the kitchen.
I have a feeling he’s after more than reading my stories.The problem is this is real life.A man like Vaughn could leave me broken hearted since happily ever afters aren't guaranteed.