Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 106312 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 532(@200wpm)___ 425(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106312 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 532(@200wpm)___ 425(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
I lift my hand to my mouth, the habit happening subconsciously, and he lowers it back down to my side.
“Stop biting your skin. If it makes you feel better, I can tell them not to unpack your stuff so you can do it yourself.”
“It would make me feel better if you hadn’t packed all my shit up in the first place.” I walk ahead of him toward the car.
He steps in front of me. “Why must you fight me on everything even after you agree?” he demands.
“Because you’re just doing this all at your own pace. And you’re blackmailing me in order to get what you want.”
He scoffs and looks down at me condescendingly. “You were hired to kill me. Wouldn’t you rather me blackmail you and keep you safe by my side than have had me kill you the moment I found out about you?”
“Protect me?” I ask in shock. “Is that what you think you’re doing?” I can look after myself. Protect myself. But right now, I’m starting to think this might be the one man I can’t run away from so easily. “You’re like a fucking barnacle.”
“Excuse me?” He frowns.
“Let’s not get this twisted, that this is anything more than a fake arrangement,” I say for both of our sakes, but mostly mine.
He steps closer to me, motioning me to be quieter as he scans the parking lot. When he looks back at me, I can tell he’s furious. But it’s not like how he used to be when he’d try to break my spirit or force me into submission.
Instead, he says very quietly, “Is it so bad if I wanted to figure out a way for us both to get what we want out of this in the end?”
“And what do you want?” I ask. As I search his gaze, it lights up with something I’m not entirely able to read. And even he might not be sure what it is. He licks his lips as if he wants to speak but can’t. I want to laugh, amused by Eli being speechless for the first time.
“You can’t control me, Eli. And you may be used to always being in control, but I’m not the perfect wife for the life you’re imagining. This is a business transaction. One that you set. I’ll deal with my shit after all of this, even if you come after me. Because I’ll sure as hell come for you.” I barge past him and go to open the car door, but he scoops me up from behind, his hard cock pressing into my back, and it takes all my inner power not to sink into him.
This guy is fucking crazy being turned on by this.
“Got it. Touch something of yours, and you kill me.” I can tell he’s smirking as he opens the door for me.
He releases me, and I sink into the car that I’ve gotten all too used to. I’ve fallen into a steady rhythm with this man, but the thought of living with him terrifies me. Because I just don’t know for how much longer I can bury the glaring reality that’s right in front of my face.
I’m falling for Eli Monti; his trap is the last one I should ensnare myself in.
When Eli slides into the car, he makes an obvious adjustment at his crotch as he puts his dark shades on. With an arrogant smile, he looks at me and asks, “Can we still fuck when we get back?”
My lips twitch, and I don’t know if I want to strangle him or laugh. I think it’s both.
This man is insufferable, and so I make an effort to ignore him.
We most definitely will not be fucking.
CHAPTER 43
Jewel
The moment we step into his apartment, and I see my things, he’s smart enough to head straight into the kitchen, pour a glass of champagne, and quickly bring it out to me.
“I told them to let you unpack,” he says, offering me the glass.
I take the glass and glare at him as I sip it, careful not to drink it all in one go because somehow I end up in situations that I don’t particularly care for when I drink too much.
“I would ask if you already know where my room is, but we both know you do. And since you think the bed is so comfy already, we shouldn’t run into any issues. I’ve cleared out a few drawers, and one side of the closet is yours,” he tells me as he heads toward his bedroom. “I’m going for a shower; feel free to join me.”
Join him? I snort at the arrogance after we were literally fighting only an hour ago. I sober at the thought. Why am I even bickering with him? I can’t even grasp onto what’s real anymore. If Eli is into something dangerous, I’m certain it’s mental fuckery. And he’s good at it.