Page 102 of Toxic Temptation
Which is the most diplomatic way I can say I don’t like his face. Or his attitude. Or the way Luka lights up around him.
But I can’t deny that it’s all working.
Won’t stop me from keeping up my end of the bargain, though. We both know I’m grasping at straws, but I’ll be damned if I stop any time soon. This grudge will die with me and not a moment before then.
“Unconventional works. You can’t deny Luka’s having the time of his life.”
“He took three days to return the signed contract.”
“He read it first. Shocking, I know.”
“Sounds like someone has trust issues.”
Vesper crosses her arms, and the movement pushes her breasts up in a way that tests every ounce of my self-control. “Why are you so determined to hate him?”
“Why are you so determined we should be friends? This is a business arrangement. Nothing more.”
She flinches like I’ve slapped her, and I’m immediately consumed with guilt. She turns back to the window overlooking the garden, where Waylen and Luka are building kites.
“Right,” she says quietly.
I grimace. These icy silences wouldn’t have bothered me in the least before we met. Now, each and every one of them grates at my nerves. “What exactly have you told him about us?”
“That we’re dating. That we have been for about a year. That we’re in the process of moving in together. And that we’re semi-serious.” She checks off each point on her fingers. “Why?”
“Because he looks at me like I’m about to steal your virtue and tie you to railroad tracks.”
She shrugs one shoulder. “What can I say? Maybe you just give off those vibes.”
I leave the couch and join her at the doors. This close, I can smell her shampoo. It’s an aphrodisiac to me at this point. My whole body lights up at the scent like a fucking Christmas tree.
“I’m surprised you didn’t fill him in on the whole deal.”
“I dunno.” She’s quiet and solemn again. “It seemed easier this way.”
Outside, Waylen’s kite soars overhead. It’s shaped like a dragon with its jaws wide open, tail fluttering in the breeze. “You’d think he’d make more effort with his sister’s boyfriend.”
She glares at me skeptically. “The same could be said for you, you realize? Why wouldn’t you make more of an attempt to get along with your girlfriend’s brother?”
“Because he wears chinos, for one.”
“Kovan!”
Smiling wickedly, I move closer and trap her against the door frame. Her eyes go wide, pupils dilating as her breath catches.
“What do you think you’re doing, sir?” she asks.
“It’s important that he remains unaware of our little ruse,” I tell her with a solemn look. “He needs to believe that we’re a couple. Same as Luka. Same as the social worker. Same as Yana and Ihor. Same as everyone else with a stake in this game.”
She’s visibly tense, but she’s not pulling away. “He’d keep our secret even if he knew.”
“Right. Boy Scout over there would keep quiet.”
“I thought you were the Boy Scout?” She laughs, then shakes her head. “Anyway, you’ve got it all wrong. He doesn’t hate you and he doesn’t want to piss you off.”
“He watches me like I’m a fucking predator.”
“Well, just because he doesn’t hate you doesn’t mean he likes you,” she corrects with brutal honesty.
