Free Web NovelChapter 212: Chapter 212 Sloan.
I make my way to my bedroom and go into the closet. It’s far too big for me, but many others wouldn’t agree. I stopped fighting the stylist long ago. Normally I wear what I’m told to. It’s chosen from a list of approved clothes and laid out for me like I’m a child. I could wear something new every day for a year and still not wear everything in here. And it’s sad because none of it is my style. It’s all so clean cut and professional, but I was raised on a ranch in Tennessee. I’m more comfortable in cut-off shorts and dirty boots, but that’s not in the dress code. Right now I’m worked up, so I’m going to wear whatever I want. Or at least something that resembles what I’d like to wear. It takes me a while, but I finally find a pair of jeans and a strappy top that is supposed to be worn under something. Not today. It’s hot out and I’m going to dress accordingly, even if I don’t go outside.
I go to my desk and dig around for a pair of scissors. I smile as I grab them and go to work on my jeans.
When I’m finished, I put the clothes on and look in the mirror. I feel more like myself right now than I have in a long time. My pink bra straps are visible under the top, but it’s cute. I turn and see that I’ve cut the jeans too short, but I don’t care. Ford will probably report this back to my dad, but he doesn’t seem like the type to take care of it himself rather than tattle on me. What could he even do? They’re shorts and my vagina is covered. Pretty much.
I slip on some flip-flops and grab my sunglasses and push them up into my hair. I grab my phone and see it’s time to meet with Chad Diamond. This was one of the reasons I’d gone to see my dad this morning. I wanted to see if I could get out of this meeting. He’s supposed to help me pick the college I’m going to attend. I wanted him to be here to help me weigh all my options and see which would fit me best.
I had thought none would suit me, but now I’m beginning to rethink things. Either I need to get away from Ford and his cold shoulder, or I need to find out if he’s so pissed off because he wants me, too. I feel the attraction between us and I watch the struggle in his eyes. I’ve watched him every day for three years, and I see that something in him has changed. Maybe he’s like me and just needs a little push.
Either way, my meeting with Chad is going to help with that. He’s going into his senior year at Brown University. He’s cute and has asked me on a date before, but I turned him down because my heart wanted Ford. Also, I think some guys show interest in me because of who my dad is. Maybe I’ll invite Chad to my birthday party. I still need to reschedule it. If I could cancel it, I would. I’d rather do something small, but Dad seems to think this is worthy of a big celebration.
I grab my messenger bag and head for the door. When I swing it open, I see Ford standing there.
"Buttercup is on the move," I chirp before he can say it into his radio.
His eyes roam down my bare legs, but I don’t stay to look at his reaction. I just keep on walking like I dress this way all the time and don’t have a care in the world. I feel him following me closely and I can’t stop myself from peeking over my shoulder. His jaw is rock solid and his lips are pressed together in a tight line.
"I don’t think your outfit is appropriate," he says as he grabs me by the arm and spins me around to face him. It doesn’t hurt, but I can feel his barely controlled strength as he once again pulls me close to him. "I think you should change."
"No," I say, pulling my arm out of his grip, and try to keep walking. He steps into my path, and suddenly a wall of muscle is blocking the way. "You can’t tell me what to wear." I look up at him and watch his nostrils flare.
"Didn’t you just say you aren’t rebellious?"
"If you’re going to say that I am, then I might as well live up to it." I say it in the sweetest voice I can muster.
"This isn’t like you," he says, but his voice is softer this time.
"How do you know? Maybe this is my new and improved self as I get ready to go to college."
He looks away and thinks for a second before he turns his dark green eyes back on me. "All right. How about we make a deal?"
"What kind of deal?" I ask as my eyes move down to his mouth. His lips look so soft.
"If you change, I’ll do something you want." freewebnσvel.cѳm
"Like what?" I hedge. I want to know what he has that I want. Then the idea sparks and I decide to throw caution to the wind. Why not go after what I want? "How about a kiss?"
"Fucking hell," he mutters before he clenches his teeth and closes his eyes.
