Read Online Cherry Creek by Dani Matthews - Free Book Online

kind of dreaded the coming day.  But now that things seem to be coming together, my mood is much better.
    The one thing I didn't expect is for the Mall of America parking lot to be so huge or for there to be so many parking lots. After parking the car and feeling a bit nervous leaving it, I make my way through the lot and into the large mall. I've been in malls before, but not like this. It's crazy and super busy. With it being Saturday, a lot of out-of-towners are here, visiting the amusement park in the center of the mall or shopping.
    I feel guilty using money that isn’t mine, but because the clothes are for a good cause, I try to brush it off as I shop. I'm walking down one of the mall's busy corridors when I suddenly feel like I'm being watched. I casually peer around as I walk behind a small group of young girls. I don't see anyone paying much attention to me, but I still feel nervous. After Brad's attack, I find that I'm jumpier than I used to be and much more cautious.
    It's time to leave.
    The drive back to Cherry Creek is somewhat enjoyable thanks to the sports car I’m driving. But the guilt of using money that isn't mine weighs heavily on me.
    When I make my way back to the mansion, I park the car in the garage and take the little path up to the back patio entrance. I'm walking down the hall with four large bags in my hands when Khristos appears from within a doorway. He takes one look at the bags, and a smile tugs at his lips. “Did you enjoy your day?”
    I pause and decide now is as good of time as any to tell him about my job. “I got a job. I had to buy clothes for the dress code,” I explain.
    “A job?” he asks, looking comically bewildered. “Why would you do that?”
    I'm pretty sure he'll be offended if I tell him I don't want to touch his money, so I lie. “I just want to keep busy. I'm used to working.”
    “You don't have to work anymore, Livvy.”
    “I know.” I smile at him while inwardly gritting my teeth. “I love the car. Thanks,” I say, wanting to cushion the news of my job.
    His expression instantly shifts to one of satisfaction. “I'm glad,” he says, looking pleased.
    “Uh, these are heavy, and I'd like to go hang them up before they wrinkle.”
    “Yes, of course.”
    I move around him, and as I walk down the hall, I can feel his eyes burning into my back.

***
    Later that evening, I try calling my mom again on my new cell phone. Instead of going straight to voice mail, I hear a disembodied voice telling me that the number is no longer in service. I disconnect the call and set the phone down on the bed, frowning. That's odd. Why would she switch numbers? Does she not want to hear from me?
    A knock on the bedroom door startles me. I give the cell phone one more puzzled look before I walk across the room and open the door.
    Roman stands there and by the looks of him, he's ready to break hearts tonight. His hair is sexily mussed, and he's wearing a tight shirt that shows off his muscular build. Jeans and black boots finish off his outfit. He gives me a wicked smile that turns his expression suggestive. The guy just oozes sex appeal. “Hey, Vee. Come out with me tonight.”
    I'm taken aback by his invite, and I feel myself going on guard. I don’t know Roman well enough to understand how to handle him yet. With Khristos, it’s kind of easy. He’s arrogant and likes getting his own way. I figure if I am polite and mind my own business, he probably won’t pay much attention to me. He seems more interested in his own life to delve into mine too much. Of course, I’ve only been here for one day. That could all change. But the fact that he hasn’t really sought me out has me relaxing slightly. I can handle a non-existent uncle. “Go where?” I ask Roman cautiously.
    “To the club. I have friends you should meet.”
    I have a feeling that Roman's idea of fun probably differs from my kind of fun. “It's been a long day. I'm just going to go to bed early.”
    He looks at me