Page 67 of Carnal Games

A shrill scream pierces through the fog I’m trapped in.

It clears. Then it dawns on me that Ialmostchecked out my brother’s fiancée. So much for boasting I’m unaffected by her.

“What the hell?” Ripping off the too big headphones, she clutches her chest while breathing rapidly, then slowly calmsdown when she realizes it’s me and is not the least bit surprised. Almost as if she were waiting for me.

Nathan must’ve told her I live next door.

But why? What’s his motive? Has he changed his mind about reconciling with me?

I squash the bit of fickle hope, remembering his angry brush-off when I tried to talk to him at the engagement ceremony. Our father has brainwashed him against me entirely.

Instead, I focus on the matter at hand.

“Do I need to file a restraining order against you, Miss Mannan?” I threaten darkly.

“Me?” she screeches, cheeks turning red. “Me? You’re the one who broke into my apartment.”

“I’d hardly call it breaking in since you left the door unlocked.”

“I didn’t.”

“You did.”

“Why would I?”

“Are you saying I’m lying?”

“Aren’t you?” she sasses. Perching her hands on her little waist, she takes in my attire. Different than the one I wore in our meeting. “Do you usually come home from the office this late? In a suit different than the one in the morning?”

Such a nosy and snarky little thing.

I hear the insinuation in her sweet tone. It’s going to take a lot more than that to drag the truth out of me.

“You always this interested in a strange man’s business?”

“You’re not a stranger.” Her soft murmur floats to me. “Not completely. I know your name, your family, and where you grew up. At the very least, we’re neighbors.”

“So, this is what you meant by I can’t hide forever?”

“You got my message,” she utters with a satisfied smile.

“Indeed.”

Dropping the headphones on the kitchen island, she rounds it and inches toward me. She keeps coming close to where I’m standing near the couch. Her strawberry scent attacks my lungs as I inhale.

Stopping three footsteps away from me, which is still too close for my comfort, she tilts her head all the way back to hold my gaze. I glance at her feet, finding them bare on the marble. Until now, I didn’t realize just how petite and short she is.

Without her heels, the top of her head reaches the middle of my torso.

Most men must dwarf her, capable of crowding or snatching her easily off of a lonely street.

The thought blinds me with rage while my hands ball into fists.

Has Nathan given her self-defense training? He’s an idiot if he doesn’t have someone protecting her twenty-four seven.

Come to think of it, where is he?

I forget about him when Iris shuffles a little closer, drawing my gaze back to her. I have to restrain myself from sitting somewhere to ease the strain on her neck. It’ll give the wrong impression. Like I’m a friendly neighbor or happy at the prospect of sharing the same building with her, let alone the same floor.

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