Page 45 of Wreck Me

I have no choice but to swallow down my questions and wait.

Chapter Twenty-Two

SCARLETT

Silence stretches between us as we tuck into the dinner Rosa prepared for us. Nathan’s call was a nudging reminder of exactly why I shouldn't want James. History has proven how dangerous getting involved with men can be. But judging from the dull ache in my lingerie, my vagina still didn't get the memo.

James studies me curiously, his eyes lingering on my lips. ‘I’ll wear you down eventually, you know,’ James murmurs seductively, his foot hooking around the back of my calf. ‘I always get what I want, Scarlett. And what I want is you.’

‘It’s not that I don’t want you...’ I blurt, lifting my wine glass.

James’s eyes whip to mine at my sudden burst of honesty. ‘So, what’s holding you back? We’re both consenting adults.’

I place my fork down on the table, unable to swallow another mouthful. ‘I’m worried that if we have sex, it will... complicate things.’

‘It won’t. This is already the least complicated relationship I’ve ever had. We both know where we stand. I won’t hold you back in your plans for after graduation.’ He presseshis shoulder against mine, leaning into me. ‘We have an arrangement, with an end date. That’s all.’

‘And that’s why we can’t compromise it,’ I sigh, as his eyes bore into mine. ‘Being with you has transformed my life in a matter of weeks. I sleep peacefully behind the high-gated walls of this mansion. I’ve come to rely on Rosa’s cheery 'good mornings.' I look forward to Tim’s company on the way to college. I haven't been fussed over in years, and I know you pay them to do precisely that, but they already feel like friends. It’s nice not being alone.’

He opens his mouth to speak, but I raise my hand to halt him. ‘I’ve managed to write twenty thousand words of my college dissertation in three weeks. My grades are up. My stress levels are down, and for the first February since I can remember, I’m not freezing.’

‘I’m happy to hear it, but I still don’t see the issue.’ His hand falls to my thigh. I cross my legs. Not because I don’t trust him, but because I don’t trust myself. There’s a perpetual throbbing in my underwear whenever he’s near, and it’s getting stronger by the day.

‘Sex will change everything and I can’t risk ruining this.’

What I can’t risk is giving him that part of myself, in case he discards me afterwards, like he’s done with all the other women before me. And truthfully, it’s not just because of the arrangement; it’s because I’m terrified of catching feelings for him. More feelings, I should say. Because I’ve had feelings for him since the first night I laid eyes on him, and with every shared smile, every dinner, every witty text, those feelings have intensified.

A knock at the door stops James from arguing with me. Tim appears. ‘The car’s out front whenever you’re ready.’

Those espresso-coloured irises twinkle as James brings my hand to his lips and kisses the back of it. ‘I’m pretty sure Scarlett’s almost ready. I mean, she’s dragging her heels,but I’ll coax her along...’ James smoulders, his innuendo clear.

He’s alarmingly close to the truth.

Rian’s new nightclub is five storeys high with a different DJ on each floor. There’s a queue a mile long outside, but James leads me straight to the front where we’re ushered into a VIP area and handed champagne.

The entire décor is comprised of glass walls, mirrors, and chrome furnishings. Hundreds of helium heart balloons hang from the ceiling to celebrate Valentine’s Day. An eclectic beat bumps through carefully positioned speakers, vibrating through the floor beneath my stilettos.

The place is wedged with designer-clad bodies. I glance around at the clientele. Half the Irish rugby team is here, a young TV presenter who’s dating a high-profile fashion blogger, a former Olympic swimmer. Hell, there’s even a movie star and his wife drinking wine at the long granite bar. But no one is paying any attention to them, because everyone is staring at us.

A tremor of unease sweeps down my spine. What if someone snaps a picture of us? James might have influence over some of the papers, but even he can’t stop ordinary people taking shots on their phones. ‘Remember the clause about the pictures being pixelated?’ I remind him.

‘Relax.’ James’s palm skims over my back, sending goosebumps scattering over my skin. ‘This is a no-camera club. If anyone attempts to take pictures, they’ll be banned for life.’

Relief trickles through my veins like sweet soothing honey.

Several businessmen advance towards us. Some extend a hand to James. Others nod their silent greetings and gaze in awe at Ireland’s most eligible billionaire. A number ofstunning women, all hair and teeth and fluttering eyelashes, flock towards us, but my date brushes them off with a short, sharp dismissal.

‘Are you okay?’ He leans to speak into my ear, his breath sending shivers over my skin.

‘I’m fine.’ I raise a champagne glass to my lips and take a large mouthful.

‘Fine’s not good enough.’ James shakes his head. ‘I want you to feel amazing.’ Those dark eyes burn with an unspoken promise. ‘I could make you feel amazing, Scarlett, if you’d renegotiate our terms.’

My eyes fall to his lips. It would be so easy to give into him. The bubbles must have gone straight to my head because instead of deflecting, I blurt out what I couldn't bring myself to say earlier at the table. ‘The entire world knows you never have sex with the same girl twice. If we sleep together, it’ll be game over. You’ll have had your fill. Which will complicate things, given I’m living with you until after graduation.’

His huge frame towers over me, pinning my body against a chrome pillar. He’s so close I can feel the heat as it radiates from his body. His hips rest against mine and something hard presses against my stomach.

Oh. My. God.

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