Read Out of Control (Untamed #2) for Free Online Page B

pathetic.
    He turned and looked at me then, and I immediately wished he hadn’t. His face was emotionless, his eyes stony and uncaring.
    “Last night?” He shook his head. “Last night was a mistake. It won’t happen again.”
    The harsh words hit dead center, and I could feel the anger rise in my chest. I scrambled off the bed, the sheet barely wrapped around me, fuming.
    “You know what? I didn’t ask for last night. I didn’t ask for your help. I’ll be out of your way in about five minutes. Three ,” I said as I snatched my dress and panties up off the floor, “if you get out of the fucking doorway and let me get to the bathroom.”
    Of course, I had no idea where I was going to go. I’d have to go back to the apartment to get my stuff—god willing Lucien would be long gone to work by then—and I’d need a place to put it all. A hostel perhaps until I could find something more permanent.
    Fuck, this day was looking to be even worse than yesterday.
    If that were even possible.
    I stalked toward Dare and he glared for a moment before moving aside. Brushing past him, I almost lost my grip on the sheet, but grasped it tighter, pulling it around me with my other hand.
    As I was about to storm into the bathroom, he spoke. “There’s an apartment in this building.”
    “What?” I whipped around to face him again.
    “It’s available,” he said, almost reluctantly. Because he didn’t want to piss me off or because he didn’t want me living in his building? I didn’t know, and frankly, I didn’t care. “I could talk to the owner and get you in. You need a new place to stay, right?”
    “I don’t need your fucking charity, Dare. I can figure things out on my own.”
    I rushed into the bathroom and tried to slam the door as hard as I could, but he moved in after me and held out his hand to stop it midway.
    “It’s not charity.” His voice floated through the slightly ajar door, low and tight. “It’s the right thing, and you know it. You can’t live with that creep. You need a new place and there’s one here. Take it, Reagan. I won’t offer again.” Releasing the door, he turned and walked away.
    And left me all alone.
    Again.

    When I pushed open the door to La Période Bleue that afternoon, Lucien’s crooked smirk greeted me as if nothing at all had happened last night.
    “ Bonjour, chérie! I did not see you this morning. Are you alright?” He actually had the audacity to look concerned. I put my palm on his chest and stepped out of reach as he leaned forward to try to press his cheek to mine in a bise greeting. His eyes widened for just a moment before narrowing at the insult.
    Whatever. Douchebag.
    “ Je vais déménager, ” I said. I’m moving out. “I just thought you should know.”
    His face hardened slightly, and his eyes flicked to the door behind me as it opened.
    “ Bonjour! ” he called out to the young couple who’d walked in. “ Un moment. ” Just a moment. Then he focused on me again, stepped forward and slid his fingers around my elbow, pulling me with him toward the office. “We should talk about—”
    Yanking my arm from his grasp, I glared at him. “It’s done. Leave me alone.” I nodded toward the customers. “Go. You have work, and so do I. I’m going to scout. I’ll be back when I find something suitable for the gallery.”
    Then I turned and walked away, ignoring his shocked expression. I didn’t have to make nice with Lucien. That wasn’t what I was here for. He didn’t deserve it anyway.
    Out on the street I took a deep breath, the scents of late spring flowers filling my lungs. Feeling just a little freer again, I started walking. The farther I got from the gallery and Lucien, the better I felt and the easier I could breathe.
    Of course, this was just one problem solved. There were many more to go.
    But what was that saying? One day at a time?
    Damn it. I wanted it all accomplished in one day.
    But I didn’t live in that kind of world