Page 61 of On Ice

“And that something is sex?” His voice is bitter. “You seriously see nothing wrong with blackmailing me into sleeping with you?”

I shrug. “We both enjoyed our night together. I know you don’t want to acknowledge that, but it’s the truth. And,personally, I think my offer is very generous. I didn’t have to tack on paying for your family’s needs too. But I know your family is important to you, and I happen to value family myself.”

“You’re not exactly the poster boy for family values.”

“No, I’m not. But I’d die for my family and I know you would too. We share that in common. Nobody is all good or all bad. People are a mixture of both.”

His eyes flicker. “You truly see nothing wrong with this, do you?”

“I can agree this is an unorthodox arrangement, but it’s not like we don’t have great sexual chemistry. You had your tongue in my mouth just hours ago, so don’t play the blushing virgin.” I smirk. “We’d both enjoy this arrangement. We don’t have to like each other as people to fuck.”

He glowers at me. “Look, I’ll admit we have a weird… sexual attraction for each other, but that doesn’t mean I want to beassociatedwith you. Now that I know who and what you are, I don’t want people thinking I like you, or that I think you’re a good person.”

“Instead of worrying about what people will think of you, you should worry about how much your family will suffer if youdie.”

He winces and sits on the edge of the bed. He stares at the floor, brow furrowed. “So I’m supposed to whore myself out to you, with the promise you’ll protect me and help my family financially?” He glances up, resentment shimmering in his eyes. “That’s seriously your plan?”

I lift one shoulder. “If you’d stop fighting me all the time, we could have a lot of fun together.”

A muscle works in his cheek and he’s quiet for a few minutes. “Let’s say I agree to this insanity.” He grimaces as if he can’t believe the words that just came out of his mouth. “What happens if you get bored of me? Will all of your protection and financial help just disappear?”

“No. I’d still protect you and help you financially.”

“Really?” Doubt flashes in his eyes. “Why would you?”

I shrug. “It wouldn’t be your fault I tired of you. So long as you hold up your end of the bargain, I’ll take care of you. As I said before, I’m not a good man, but I am a man of my word.”

His frustration is clear in the tight set of his jaw. I know him well enough by now to recognize that his first instinct is to tell me to go fuck myself. But the idea of his family being taken care of has to be tempting. That’s why I added it to sweeten the deal. It’s in Evan’s nature to puts others first, and that’s my ace in the hole.

“I’m not a rapist,” I say, just in case he needs to hear that. “I won’t force myself on you.”

I won’t need to.

His hands clench on his thighs. He doesn’t speak for the longest time, then he quietly asks, “How exactly would this work?”

I can barely contain my excitement as he seems to capitulate. I’ve longed to be inside him again, with him squirming beneath me, begging for more. I’ll give him time to get used to the idea of being mine. That seems only right. But his hunger matches mine, and I know, eventually, he’ll willingly come into my bed. Judging by what happened tonight in my mother’s art studio, I won’t have to wait that long either.

“You’ll accompany me to dinners in the city, maybe a few syndicate functions so everyone can see us together. You’ll have to play the part though. You can’t be scowling at me all through dinner and expect this plan to work.”

“If I agree to this—” He grits his teeth. “I want to keep my apartment.”

I scowl. “You can keep your lease, if it makes you feel better, but, for now, you’ll you need to actually live here at my home.”

There’s a stubborn tilt to his mouth. “I don’t want to live here with you. Plus, my apartment is closer to the arena. I need to be there every day. It makes more sense for me to stay at my apartment.”

“It’s not safe,” I rumble. “Remember, this is my life on the line too. You’ll need to live here for a few months at least, until we’re sure everyone believes we’re together. After they begin to accept that we’re a thing, then maybe you can stay at your apartment half the time.” I’m only agreeing to this compromise because I’ll probably tire of him after a few months anyway. Once that happens, I won’t want him around.

His mouth thins. “And what about my stuff?”

“You’ll have anything you need here. All you have to do is ask.” The frustration in his eyes increases so I relent slightly. “Fine, we can bring some of your things here if it means that much to you.” Remembering his shabby apartment, it’s hard to imagine what it is he can’t part with. But if giving him this concession makes him happy, I’ll do that for him. Anything that makes him more pliable is to my advantage.

“The drive from here is way longer,” he grumbles. “And I don’t even have my truck, thanks to you and Marco kidnapping me the night of the hockey game.”

“I already had your truck brought here. But from now on, my guys will need to drive you to the arena and anywhere else you need to go. You’ll need security.”

His eyes flash with suspicion. “I thought I was protected just by being your… lover or whatever. Isn’t that the whole point of this ruse?”

I run my tongue over my bottom lip. “That part isn’t a ruse. You will be my lover.”

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