Page 165 of Carnal Games

So much needs to be said, but it’s all too serious to be spoken over the phone. How do I share that I want to renege on our deal because I’m falling for his brother? Or that I kissed him, and I’m craving to do it again?

“Work has been stressful lately at my internship,” I reply without going into too much detail. “I didn’t know it was going to be this hard, you know?”

“It’s your first job. It’ll take time to ease into it. Don’t put yourself under too much pressure.”

I push down the sad laugh emanating in my throat. “I’m trying.”

“Focus on the positives. You’re halfway closer to living your dream, Iris. You’re interning at your favorite news agency. Whenever you feel overwhelmed, think about that.”

I am living my dream job, but at what cost?

Throwing my half-eaten cone in a trash can, I answer, “You’re right.”

“Find a healthy balance. Take your mind off work when you get home. Do your movie marathon and have a slumber party of one until I’m back.”

“Look who’s talking about work-life balance,” I tease.

“Guilty.” He laughs. “But just ’cause I couldn’t learn, doesn’t mean it’s bad advice.”

“You can slow down too, Nathan. It isn’t too late.”

A long and tense pause before he utters tightly, “It is.”

“Wanna tell me what’s troubling you?”

“Not today.”

I’m unsurprised he shuts down.

“What’s it like working with Kian?” he asks.

I almost trip over my heels hearing him instigate a conversation about his brother. I keep my voice neutral. “He’s a good boss. Hardworking. Intense.”

Currently on his way to spank my ass.

He was kidding, right?

“As long as he treats you right.”

Like he wouldn’t believe. “He does.”

“Good.”

Since he brought up Kian himself, I psyche myself and softly ask, “Why don’t you call him, Nathan? He came to the engagement. If he’s making an effort…”

“No,” Nathan says coldly. “He made his choice when he walked out of my life. He doesn’t get to choose when he wishes to come back.”

“Kian is—” A hard shove careens me forward. “Ow! Hey!”

“Iris!” Nathan yells. “Iris! What’s goin—”

The phone slips from my grasp when someone slams my body into the unforgiving ground. My knees hit the asphalt, shooting blinding pain up my thighs and chest. Flipping onto my back, I stare up into a wide torso and a masked man looming over me.

I gasp and crawl backward, unaware I’m backing into a dark alley.

The dark figure steps forward, bends, and fists my blouse in the middle, yanking me onto my feet. I futilely grab his wrist, trying to dislodge his grip with my nails.

My head whips to the side as he slaps me across the face.

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