Page 31 of Her Ruin

Bastard.

“Running?” he drawled, his eyes glittering with something wicked. “Where’s all that righteous fight gone, Isla?”

Desperately, I tried to control my emotions; I couldnotlet him see how rattled I was. “You’re a prick.” He said nothing, and I snapped, “I’mnotrunning!”

“No?” Zayn pushed off the door, closing the space between us once more, and I refused to step back. I would not give ground. “It sure as hell looks like you are.”

Squaring my shoulders, I swallowed hard. “I came here to talk to you, not…” I faltered. “Not whateverthatwas.”

Zayn watched me with amusement. “And yet, here we are.”

Desperate to regain some semblance of control, I forced myself to be as calm as he was. I wouldn’t play his game. Not this one. I couldn’t. The pull towards him was still there. I wanted desperately to step closer, and I didn’t know why.

“Can we get back to the point of why I am here?” I asked him curtly.

“I thought we were.”

Asshole.

“You’ll give me Elixir for the gala?”

“For a price.”

“You said I didn’t have to pay the venue fee,” I countered testily.

“I don’t give away anything forfree.”

I needed out of here. “Fine. What is it? What do you want from me?”

“Now we’re getting somewhere.” He walked past me to his desk, making me turn around and watch him as he took a seat behind the desk. Our roles were very clear with that simple movement. “I told you before. I’ll let you know when I decide.”

“I’m not sleeping with you.” My eyes widened in horror at my outburst, but Zayn tipped his head back and laughed loudly.

When he glanced back at me, the mockery returned. “You’re the most conceited bitch I’ve ever met,” he told me directly. “Tell Rye the date you need on your way out.” He gave me a cunning smile. “Though, I think he might already know,” Zayn continued smoothly. “One venue, one galasaved, payment to be made later.” He paused. “And I don’t pay for sex, Is, so don’t think you are insulting me.”

I swallowed hard, my pulse thrumming in my ears.

Zayn leaned back in his chair, watching me with lazy amusement, his fingers resting idly against the armrest. That slow, knowing smirk still curved his lips, like he was enjoying every second of this.

Heat flooded my cheeks, and for once, it wasn’t from attraction—it was from sheer, mortifying frustration.

“I didn’t mean?—”

He waved a hand, cutting me off. “No, you did.” His voice was smooth and casual as if he were discussing the weather rather than calling me out. “You assumed the price would beyoubecause, in your pretty little head, you think I’d actually need to negotiate for that.”

My stomach twisted at his words, my hands curling into fists. “You really are an asshole.”

“And you’re still here,” he countered, studying me. “So what does that make you?”

I sucked in a sharp breath, hating him, hating this, hating that he had all the control right now. But I wasn’t walking away. Not yet. Because I needed this deal.

But as his gaze flickered over me, dark and unreadable, I had the sinking feeling it didn’t matter.

I detested the fact he was enjoying this. Hated that my pulse was still racing from earlier, knowing that a part of me was almost curious to know what would have happened had I not moved away.

Most of all, I hated that I had no choice but to be here.

Zayn watched me for a long moment before exhaling a dramatic sigh. “Tell Rye the date,” he repeated like he was already bored of me. “That’s the deal. Take it or leave it.”

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