Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
TINSLEY
I remove the bow from my hair before I enter the house quickly. “I know, I’m sorry,” I say when I see my stepmother standing there with her normal glare.
“You better hurry,” Anne snaps at me.
I rush up the stairs and find another dreadful dress laid out on my bed. I change as fast as I can even though it doesn’t bother me anymore to annoy Anne. There’s no winning with her, but I don’t want to annoy my father. He doesn’t ask much of me, and he specifically said to be home and ready by seven.
“You look lovely, Tinsley,” my father tells me when I make it back downstairs. Anne is standing behind him and rolls her eyes.
“Thank you.” I smile at him while hating what I’m about to do.
I always wanted to go on a date, but no one asked me. It didn’t help that there wasn’t anyone I was attracted to at my old school. Now I’m dreading it, and I can't help but think that this isn’t how it’s supposed to be.
Carl makes me uncomfortable, and I detested every moment I spent with him last night. Thankfully, there were other people around, but tonight I’m not going to be so lucky. He’s picking me up for a date, and it will be only the two of us. He forced me into agreeing by asking me out in front of everyone. My father nodded his approval, so there was no choice but to say yes.
“Now, Tinsley.” My father steps toward me. “The Rays are a prominent family here. It’s important that you leave a favorable impression.”
What the heck does that mean? That I have to go along with anything he wants? A ball of anxiety forms in my stomach.
“I told you we should have set Willow up with him,” Anne says.
Yeah, that makes two of us.
“She’s not a Moore,” my father snaps back at Anne. She seals her lips but glares a hole into me. "He's a perfect match for Tinsley. Isn't that right?"
I know the question is for me, so I merely nod my head, unable to say the words. Not when all I can think about is Callum. It’s so wrong because he’s my boss and nothing more.
A knock on the door has the ball of anxiety in my stomach growing. It's only a dinner. It’s only dinner . Maybe it won’t be so bad. I can suck it up for one meal, and then I can talk to my father about this arrangement. I’ll tell him that I don’t think this is going to work and that I don't want to date Carl.
"Go on." My father nudges me to go and answer the door.
When I pull it open, Carl is standing there in a suit. A slow smile creeps onto his face as his eyes roam up and down my body. How badly had I wanted Callum to do that when I was in front of him? He never did, though, not even when I removed pieces of my clothes. Carl is openly doing it, and it makes my skin itch. It makes me want to grab a blanket and cover myself.
"Tinsley, you are breathtaking." He holds his hand out to me, so I have no choice but to give him mine. When Carl brings it to his mouth and kisses it, I have to fight not to cringe.
"Thanks," I mutter, feeling awkward.
He says hello to my father and Anne before he's leading me toward his car. I wipe the back of my hand where he kissed it on my dress before I get into the passenger seat.
“I got a reservation at The Gilded Lily.” He says it with a touch of smugness. I’m still new in town, so I have no clue what restaurants there are here or the scale of them.
“I’ve never been before.”
“You’ll love it,” he tells me, and I simply nod.
When we arrive at the restaurant, I can tell immediately that it’s very upscale. The host leads us right in, and we go directly to our table. Maybe if I eat fast, we can be out of here in an hour. Callum will be expecting me to set up my laptop soon.
If I don’t, I’ll likely be in trouble, which I normally wouldn’t mind. At least not the kind of trouble I could get into with Callum. What I’m worried about is if he asks me why I was late. It’s silly because he hasn’t before, but I feel guilty being on a date with Carl.
I sit there as Carl orders a bottle of wine even though he knows I’m only eighteen. The server doesn’t bat an eye before pouring me a glass. I don’t want it, but I can’t be rude, so I pick it up and pretend to take a sip. I merely let it touch my lips as Carl swirls his wine glass before taking a sip himself.
"Perfection, don't you think?" He’s waiting for a response, so I nod. "You're quiet. I was told you're more bubbly and outgoing. Is that not the case?"
I’m about to answer him when a familiar figure catches my eye. My head snaps in that direction, and I think my heart stops. Callum’s eyes lock with mine as he passes by before taking a seat at the next table over. Is he on a date?
"Tinsley?" Carl says my name, and I blink, trying to remember what he was saying.
"I guess I'm shy," I blurt out in response.
"There’s no need to be shy." Carl rests his hand on top of mine, but the contact makes me recoil. I quickly pick up my wine glass to cover the action and take another fake sip.
"I’ve never really dated before. This is all new to me," I say as a way of explanation.
"I know." I hate the smirk Carl gives me. It makes me feel like prey and not in the fun, tantalizing way Callum can.
Right now I can feel Callum’s eyes on me, and I am very much his naughty prey. I'm not sure if it's because of the date or the wine. Either way, I know I'm in trouble.
Thankfully, the server comes back to take our order. While Carl is distracted talking to her, I peek over at Callum. He’s still alone at his table, but his eyes are down on his phone. Disappointment fills me, and I hate that it’s because he’s not staring at me. Of course I want him to give me his signature glare that makes me wiggle in my seat.
“And she’ll have the same,” I hear Carl say, jerking my attention back to him. “Now why don’t you tell me more about yourself?”
I try to think about what might be a safe topic and go with something generic. “I’ve been applying to colleges.” Of course I’m right, and Carl takes over the conversation. He tells me about the college he attended and all the reasons it’s the best.
“But you’ll need to stay local,” he informs me. “We won’t be doing long distance.”
What I’d like to tell him is that we won’t be doing anything, but I keep my mouth shut.
I’m relieved when Carl's phone goes off and he pulls it out. "I need to take this. I'll be right back." He doesn't wait for me to respond before he gets up from the table.
Naturally, as soon as he leaves, my gaze automatically shifts to Callum's table. When I see his seat is empty, my shoulders sag with disappointment.
“Looking for someone?” His voice is right next to my ear, making me jump.
“Sir,” I gasp and put my hand on my chest now that my heart is lodged in my throat. He pulls out the chair beside me, not the one across from me where Carl was sitting.
“You didn’t set up your laptop.”
“Ah, I was going to.”
“Not acceptable,” he says, moving closer. “Give me your panties.”
“What?” I whisper. Did he really say that? I glance around to see if anyone is watching us.
“I do not care to repeat myself.”
Is he serious? I look up into his handsome face, I can tell he’s very serious.
“Okay, I’ll go to the bathroom and?—”
“No, you’ll do it right here.” My mouth falls open. “Is that a problem, princess?” I feel his hand under the table before it lands on my bare knee. “Answer me.”
“But—” I’m cut off when his hand slides higher up my thigh. When my legs part, I swear it’s on their own, but I could be wrong. When Callum’s knuckle rubs against my panties, I can feel it on my clit.
“You’re lucky they’re not wet.” It sounds like a threat as he tugs on the crotch of my panties and I lift my bottom out of the chair. They easily slide off of me, and Callum leans down, like he’s picking something off the floor. When he frees them from my ankles and heels, he straightens in his seat. "Now, you will follow my lead. Do you understand?”
"Yes, sir." I swallow.
"Good girl."
Those two words have me relaxing a fraction. That is until I see Carl heading toward our table. I glance at Callum in a panic, but he’s completely calm.
“Tinsley?” Carl gives me an accusing look when he reaches the table.
“You must be Carl,” Callum interjects.
“I am.” His nod is the only greeting Callum gets.
“I’m one of Tinsley’s teachers at Legend Prep. I saw her having dinner and wanted to say hello.”
“Oh, well it’s nice to meet you,” Carl says automatically before turning his attention back to me. “Tinsley, I’m sorry, but I need to leave.”
“Okay.” I start to stand but pause when Callum's hand moves to my arm.
“If you’re in a hurry, I can drop her home,” Callum offers, and Carl hesitates before he glances down at his phone.
“Actually, that would be great.” He barely looks at me as his phone buzzes again. “I’ll call you tomorrow, Tinsley.”
He rushes out of the restaurant, leaving me alone with Callum. I breathe a sigh of relief until I see his face. Oh no. Sir is pissed off.