Shannon let out a deep breath, puffing her cheeks out in frustration. Talk about a mood killer. Niall was like a wet, dripping cloud of negativity, ready to ruin her joy with his sour attitude.
“Let yourself in, why don’t you? Maybe you should learn to knock, or is it too late to teach an old dog manners?”
She planted her hands on the counter, using it as a shield between them.
“Why would I need to knock, Shannon? Are youafraid I’ll find out your dirty little secrets?” He sniffed, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
Shannon rolled her eyes. “It’s called privacy. This is my home.”
Niall inched closer, that smarmy smile creeping up his face. “It’s not like I haven’t seen you naked before. Maybe I’d like to walk in on you sometime. I bet you think about me when you’re touching yourself, don’t you?”
What a fucking joke. This guy had just let himself in and now he was implying she fantasised about him?As if.
She’d rather slam her fingers in the door than imagine Niall’s naked body.
Her phone lit up again, and she knew Jamie had sent another text message.
Niall’s gaze dropped, his hand shooting out to grab the phone before she could reach it. His brows rose when he saw the name.
“Jamie McGrath is texting you?” he asked, his usual arrogance taking on an even sharper edge.
Shannon held out her hand. “Give me the phone.”
“I always knew you were a fucking slut. Unbelievable. You and McGrath, huh? Is that why he was sniffing around here?”
His voice twisted with disdain, eyes narrowing into something darker. “I mean, it had to be for your ass, because he sure as fuck wouldn’t be interested in anything else.”
“The only one sniffing around here is you,Niall.”
His expression darkened, a flash of venom in his gaze. “Excuse me?”
“Are you so deep in a cocaine haze that you can’t even hear yourself?” she shot back, her voice cool but cutting.
Niall’s lip curled, his eyes flashing with rage. “Quite the little goody-goody, aren’t you? You planning on running to my da and squealing like the snitch you are?”
“You need help, Niall. I always knew you had anger issues, but this…” Her voice trailed off as she shook her head, disbelief creeping in. “Drugs? Really?”
“It’s recreational, you uptight little fuck. I party because I can. Something you wouldn’t understand, considering all you do is ride horses and play the good little country girl.”
His sneer deepened.
“McGrath’s probably laughing at you, you know. A boring, frigid little nobody. The kind of girl rich guys like him put bets on to pull. And we all know Jamie’s a betting shark.”
Her stomach twisted, thoughts of Jamie using her as a pawn making her falter, but she pushed them away. Niall was fucking with her head, as usual.
Shannon moved around the counter and snatched the phone back. “Get the hell out, Niall. And shut the door on your way out.”
He didn’t move, but his face contorted with an ugliness that matched the darkness inside him.
“You’re such a fool,” he spat. “A pathetic little nobody who really thinks a McGrath would actually beinterested in you. Is that what you’re into? You like rich cock, don’t you, Shannon? Do you enjoy being humiliated?”
His laugh was cruel, filled with a sadistic joy.
This was going nowhere. Shannon spun on her heel, striding toward the door and yanking it open, letting the cold air slice through the warmth of the room.
“Get out. And stay away from me. Up here is my personal space and you’re not welcome.”
A dangerous glint flickered in his grey eyes, a thin sliver of rage sneaking through the cracks. His eyes narrowed into slits, his breath coming in shallow, angry bursts.
