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today?”
    “I’m not going to be.”
    “Well… when can I come by to-”
    “You called so you can get your things from my house?” I asked through gritted teeth.
    Derek’s brows shot up as he watched me from his position by the front door.
    “Yeah. I know the timing is bad, but I actually need my passport. Danni and I are heading to Mexico on Monday.”
    My heart thumped so hard, I felt like I was going to pass out.
    “Well, your clothes are at the Goodwill on 41st, your electronics have been given to the neighbors, and all your important papers are in the grill in the backyard. The ashes should be cool enough for you to collect by now. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t call me again. Enjoy your trip.”
    I hung up the phone and looked at Derek, my vision all red. “You can see yourself out.”
    I grabbed my skis and took them upstairs, putting them back in the walk-in closet. I took off my ski outfit and put on a pair of black slacks, a red Ann Taylor sweater, and my favorite pearl necklace.
    I inspected myself in the mirror and shook my head. I didn’t know what Derek was talking about; I didn’t look like a soccer mom. He implied my dress was ill-suited for my body. I wondered what he meant by that. I shrugged, my mind fighting to come up with something to do as I headed to the stairs.
    I jumped when I went back downstairs, clutching my chest.
    “You scared me! Why are you still here?”
    He looked up at me from his position at the breakfast bar. “To make sure you’re okay.”
    I rolled my eyes. “Don’t worry; I have no plans of going to the lake tonight. You can leave now. Thanks.”
    He smiled, licking his lips. I was really starting to hate that. “You see, that’syour problem.”
    “I don’t have a problem.”
    He stood and walked to me, approaching until his body was inches from mine. I tried to back away, but bumped into a wall. His eyes bore into mine, and I looked away.
    “You can back away now.”
    He laughed, and my eyes widened at his gorgeous smile. “Again, that’s your problem. You’re too controlling. You have to be in charge of every situation; you have to be the one to set the rules. You’ve been bossing me around since I met you.”
    I folded my arms, mainly to put some space between our bodies, but I knew he could sense my skin heating up.
    “That’s not true.”
    “Everything we do is on your terms. You’ve been telling me where to ski, what movie I’m going to watch with you- which, by the way, a night in the hot tub would have been much better. You even tell me when to wash my dishes. You’re a control freak.”
    “Since you don’t like my behavior, you can leave.”
    “See? There you go again. And don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind your behavior one bit. In fact, it intrigues me. You’ve never had someone in your life stand up to you. And I love taming a bossy mouth.”
    An unnatural sound came from me; I wasn’t sure if it was a snort or a laugh. I raised a hand to stop him from continuing.
    “ Taming ? Okay, your stay has officially been rescinded. What do you think I am, an animal?”
    I didn’t know how on earth I put off such an impression on him, but I was beginning to think he was the one out of his mind.
    He stepped closer to me, his body so close, but not touching. I ignored the pounding in my chest… as well as the pounding in other places. Despite the comedic relief at the absurdity of his words, I still found myself reacting to him in a carnal way.
    “Not just an animal; a beast . Hiding behind the facade of a good girl is the real you. And once you unleash that fire in you, you’re going to realize just how amazing your life can be. But first, we have to get you to loosen up your hair a bit- literally.”
    “Uh,” I laughed, trying to lighten the mood, but my body still stirred and Derek didn’t back down. “I think you’re mistaken.”
    “You’d be astounded at how much better you’d feel if you let go once in a while. Like, if