Page 42 of Caging Liberty
She opens her mouth, and her eyes dart to Lib again before she speaks. “So did you ever find that girl last night?”
“Ivy? Yes.”
“And?”
“And what?”
Desiree huffs like she’s exasperated by my cluelessness, but she quickly composes herself. “Andwhat happened? Why did Sawyer want you to check up on her?”
“I thought you weren’t trying to gossip.”
“It isn’t gossip,” she says, waving the idea away with her manicured hands. “I just… I mean, I’m curious, you know? You say you’re going to make sure some girl who’s been nothing but defiant is acclimating well, and then she winds up sleeping with the rest of us that same night. I can’t help but wonder what could’ve led to that happening.”
Her tone is hard, and although she doesn’t come right out and say what’s on her mind, the accusation is clear.
Annoyance flares, but I stifle it enough to keep it from showing. There was a time Desiree had the ability to make me jealous too. “Are you asking me if I fucked her?”
She doesn’t say anything, which is enough of an answer for me.
“No, I didn’t. But it wouldn’t be your business if I did.”
She looks equally relieved as she does hurt, and I instantly want to call back my words. A month ago, I gave her a good chunk of my time, and now I give her none. I get it, I’ve sent some mixed signals. I’m probably an asshole, but there’s only one woman I’m now interested in, and she isn’t Desiree.
I lighten my tone and relax my face. “You’re aware there’s no romantic connection between you and me. Right?”
Her face falls, but she recovers and gives a slight shrug. “Yeah.”
“So then it would be inappropriate for you to ask me who I have and haven’t slept with. Right?”
“I was just curious.”
“Don’t be,” I say, my voice a little too sharp despite my efforts. “I don’t want you to get in trouble for gossiping. You know how Sawyer feels about that.”
Her disappointment seems to morph into resentment at my sarcasm. Her ruby red lips purse and her arms cross over her chest. “Thanks for looking out, pal.”
I open my mouth but bite my tongue and decide to let the remark go. Most men on the island would have her thrown in the cellar for her shitty attitude, but—lucky for her—I’m not a fan of punishment. In fact, I’m starting to notice I like sassy women. Just not Desiree.
I glance at the door and turn that way. “See you later, Des.”
“Yep. Bet you will.”
I don’t bother responding to that one either. I steal a quick peek at Lib before I head inside, finding her fully turned in her seat, her eyes darting between Desiree and me.
I face the manor and slip through the door.
13
Liberty
Iwatch Mr. A as he walks inside the manor, then my eyes move to the clearing he just came through.
“God, I love this song,” Anna, orAnnie, says. Pretty sure Sawyer thought it’d be cute and clever to name her after Little Orphan Annie. Which, as much as I hate to tip my hat to him, is fitting.
Miley Cyrus blares out how she, “came in like a wrecking ball,” and Anna sings along.
I turn toward her and lean her way. “Hey, do you know what’s over there?” I ask, tipping my head toward the clearing the men appeared from.
“Hmm?” She sits up and removes her sunglasses, pushing back her hair.