Free Snare (Falling Stars #3) by Sadie Grubor Page B

financials.
    I open the folder and look over the numbers.
    Holy shit!
    My eyes snap back to Sid.
    She sits, arms crossed over her chest, lips pursed, and one brow raised.
    "You were saying?" she asks in a sickeningly sweet voice.
    "Is this national?" I choke out the question, 'cause I already know the answer.
    "Nope," she says popping the 'p'.
    My eyes flicker back to the financials.
    I knew the answer was no and it blows my fucking mind. She is raking in just below six figures for something she's not yet taken nationally.
    "Don't get drool on my papers," she teases. "My accountant needs those."
    I close the folder and set it back on the bed.
    "You do this alone?"
    Darkness settles over her features.
    "No," she mumbles.
    "Is that the hostile takeover?" I press.
    "Maybe," she snaps. "Now, can you go away? You're distracting me."
    "I'm afraid not," I say, reaching over and shutting her laptop.
    "You touched my laptop." Her eyes don't leave the closed device. "I've killed people for less, you know?" She still doesn't look at me.
    "Come on, killer."
    I push up from the bed. When she doesn't follow, I walk around the bed, grab her arm, and pull her to her feet.
    "Stop manhandling me, you ape," she insults, slapping my hand.
    Instead of releasing her, I glance over her body.
    "You'll need warmer clothes," I inform.
    "Well, I'm not changing, so sucks to be you," she counters, trying to pull her arm free.
    "You'll need snow gear. Pants, coat, boots—"
    Her sudden stillness interrupts me.
    She's grinning and it's kind of fucking scary.
    "I'm afraid I'm all out of snow gear, ya furry redneck." She points to the side of the room where shoes are lined in the closet. "And those are all I have with me."
    The smug look on her face means she thinks she's won. It's almost sad to destroy her feeling of triumph. Almost.
    "Put on pants, socks, and a long-sleeved shirt." I release her arm. "We'll go see what my sisters left here."
    "No," she clips, backing around the bed away from me.
    "Do it, or I'll put your ass in the snow as you are," I threaten.
    "You wouldn't," she growls low.
    "Have it your way," I say with a shrug.
    In a flash of movement, I'm around the bed and grabbing her waist as she tries to crawl over the mattress to get away.
    I pull her back, put my shoulder against her stomach, and lift.
    "Oh my God," she screams, punching my back. "Put me down!"
    "I warned you."
    I stride from the room to the stairs.
    "Please, put me down." The desperation in her voice sends a wave of concern through me.
    Before I can set her down, she says on an anxious plea, "Xavier, please , put me down."
    I set her on her feet and she wraps her arms around herself.
    "I'm sorry," I apologize, clasping her face in both my hands. "I didn't mean to scare you."
    Sid jerks her head from my hands and walks toward the room I just carried her out of.
    "I wasn't scared. I just didn't want you to break your back carrying me," she tosses over her shoulder, attempting to make a joke, but it sounds too sad to be funny.
    She closes the bedroom door behind her.
    Guilt swims in my stomach. Taking the two steps between the door and me, I raise my hand to knock, but put my hands on each side of the door and press my head to it instead.
    Closing my eyes, I wallow in remorse. I didn't mean to frighten her. I should've thought before putting my hands on her. Lord knows what else that asshole's done and I just fucking grab her like she's a thing. Fuck, I even threatened her.
    "I'm such a fucking asshole," I growl low.
    The door jerks open, pulling me out of my thoughts.
    "I agree," she says, nodding.
    "Look, I'm sorry I—"
    "I'm dressed. So, what is so important to show me?" she asks, cutting me off.
    She no longer wears her glasses.  I take a quick look down her body to see what else is different. She put on a pair of black pants and a long-sleeved shirt that says, This is My Only Shirt Without Cum On It .
    My laugh comes out in a burst of surprise.
    "Best shirt ever, right?"