Uncovering You 3: Resistance by Scarlett Edwards Read Free Book Online Page A

already set the table for you, but I can bring it up here, if you prefer?”
    Eating in Stonehart’s bed would fill me with an enormous sense of unease. Actually, staying in this room any longer than I have to already does that. Rose’s invitation is the perfect opportunity to get away.
    “I’ll come with you,” I say too quickly. For a split-second, I think I see Rose eye me curiously. Then she turns around, and the moment skitters away.
    “Come along, then,” she says, entirely too formally.
    I hate how I feel that I have to be on my guard around her. But my new suspicions make it necessary. If I get too comfortable with Rose, I could be playing right into Stonehart’s hands.
    I still don’t know how much Rose knows about my situation. It’s probably safer to err on the side of caution and assume she knows as much as Stonehart does.
    I follow her down the stairs. Even the sun gleaming through the mansion is not enough to lift my sour mood.
    I should be ecstatic. I’m allowed full access to the house. I just spent a wonderful night with a magnificent man. I have somebody constantly waiting on me.
    But… I cannot allow myself to be. The change in Stonehart’s demeanor last night came without warning.
    If the circumstances of my presence here were any different—if , for example I was free to leave the house whenever I wanted—this would be a wonderful start to a glorious day.
    But the collar tight around my neck is a constant reminder of the reality of my situation. I can’t delude myself into thinking that just because Stonehart was warm and compassionate last night, anything has changed.
    In fact, things are more the same than ever. My whole life is under his control. I am here because of that disgusting contract. And he—I can tell—knows exactly what he’s doing to screw with my head.
    In fact, things might even be worse than they seem. I’ve come no closer to unearthing anything about Stonehart that I can use to my advantage. I’ve put a halt to my budding friendship with Rose because I can’t be sure of her alliances. I am more alone than ever before, and I am terrified that I might be losing my resolve.
    There. That’s what scares me most about last night. I fell so easily into Stonehart’s arms—not because I wanted to, but because my body told me to. It had nothing to do with the contract, or the obligation I have toward him.
    Acquiescing is supposed to be a way of maintaining my freedoms, so that I have the best chance of uncovering his motives. But last night, I forgot all those things. I forgot them as Stonehart exposed me to the realm of pleasure he can bring.
    Whoa. I sit down at the table and exhale. This is some heavy shit. Am I just psyching myself out? No, I don’t think so. I am being justifiably cautious. I cannot let my guard down around him like I did last night.
    “Orange juice, or milk?” Rose asks. Her voice rouses me from my reverie.
    “Oh. Um…” I look down at my food for the first time. There’s a steaming omelet, a few pieces of toast, and a side of grapefruit. “Orange juice would be fine, thank you.”
    “One moment,” Rose says, retreating into the kitchen.
    The sight and smell of food awaken a ravenous hunger in me—probably prompted by the activities of last night. I grab my fork and begin to shovel it all into my mouth, distinctly un-ladylike.
    Rose brings me my glass without a word. She sets it down on the table in front of me. I avoid looking at her. I can feel her eyes on me, and I can’t bear to look up and see her kind face, knowing that I have to shut her out.
    “Mr. Stonehart left a note for you,” she says, placing a tented piece of paper before me. “I’ll get out of your way for now.”
    The undercurrent of hurt in her voice is too much to ignore. I almost— almost —call out to ask her to come back…
    But I lose my chance when she strides out of the room.
    You don’t know whose side she’s on , I remind myself. You have no friends here