Connected (Twists of Fate #1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

and then considered his reaction. “You heard that?” No. But I could feel your relief. I’m glad you’re gonna be okay, Addison.
    If she could’ve given him a great, big ‘ole hug, she would’ve. “Thanks, Rhys.” Now, let’s move! Come on, woman. Don’t make me mentally spank that ass, because I will find a way!
    She scowled as she stormed to her car. “Asshat.”

Chapter Five

    Tell me again why we're going to your studio to do my research.
    “One, because I need to get out of that Godforsaken house, and two, the computer in my studio is faster. Plus,” she continued, pulling into the fast food drive-thru, “I'm hoping to get caught up on some paperwork while I'm there.”
    Oh, no you don't. I'm not sitting around while you play pencil-pusher. I've got things to do, and you have to help me. And, not only that—
    Addison shook her head and blocked their link while she ordered her food. His words still rang through her mind, gaining momentum as they raced unchecked through his arrogant mouth, but she ignored him to the point where he was a babbling nuisance in the corner of her head. As she pulled out of the parking lot, food in hand, she finally caught some of his words.
    Why are you blocking me? What are you doing? Do you even hear me?
    “I have no choice but to hear to you, Rhys.”
    Yes, but are you listening to me.
    “Honestly, no. All you do is yell at me. Once you're ready to treat me with some damned respect and work with me here, you let me know. I'm sick of being bossed around by the likes of you.”
    He didn't respond, but it wasn't the peaceful, accommodating silence she would have preferred. It was a tension-filled bubble of nothingness waiting to explode from the barely-restrained temper behind it.
    To his credit, he held his peace all the way to the studio, and she was the one to shatter the silence. And only then because of the overwhelming guilt.
    “Rhys?” She sighed as she got out of the car, and then kept talking, despite the mental bristle she felt. “I'm not going to say I know how hard this is for you, mainly because I have no clue. I mean…other than what you let through. But I do want to help you. You know I do.” Don't you dare feel sorry for me, Addison. Just don't. I don't want your fucking pity.
    “And you don't have it, Rhys. I can want to help you without pitying you, but apparently you can't see the difference. You want to boss me around so you feel like you have some semblance of control. I get that. But it's unnecessary. I'll help you because I want to, not because I'm being cussed out or bullied into it. Got it?”

    Right. Like this isn’t fucking up your perfect, precious, prim-and-proper life. Like that isn’t really the reason you’re helping me. Just to get me out of your goddamn head.
    “Oh, yes. My perfect life,” she said sarcastically, a tinge of loss mixing with her budding anger, “with my little house, my non-existent family, and my empty bed. The only thing I have in this life is my studio and my work. And you know what? That's enough for me. So don't go mocking my existence simply because you no longer have one!” Addison gasped as she froze in the middle of the empty parking lot and clamped a hand over her mouth. She couldn't believe she just said that. Abject horror flooded her senses before she could even consider closing off her link to Rhys.
    Well done, Addison. You put me neatly in my place, didn’t you?
    There was no censure in his voice, but how could there not be? She had crossed a line. A big one.
    “Oh, God…” It was all the words she could manage to utter as she trudged to the back door of her building, glancing around to make sure she was still alone.
    To her surprise, he laughed, the tension draining from the space between them. I'm serious, woman. You did that nicely, and I totally fucking deserved it. I was feeling sorry for myself. But I'm done bitching now. Promise.
    She didn't respond as she disarmed the alarm and made her