Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 22685 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22685 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 113(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
"You don't even have a reason, do you?" Hunter bit out. "All you have is your damn pride."
The word landed like a slap, and it was getting harder and harder not to cry.
“Pride is what cost you your job. Your apartment. Even your fucking car."
Each word was another nail in the coffin of her dignity. Eve’s eyes burned, but she’d rather die than let him see her cry.
"So tell me, Eve. Is it worth it? Losing every fucking thing—"
"No, it's not."
Eve hated the way her voice cracked in the end. But even so, she didn't regret speaking up. Didn't regret finally owing up to past mistakes...because it was the right thing to do, and she was tired, so damn tired of doing things wrong.
"It wasn't worth it. It never was—"
"Then will you tell me what happened eight years ago?"
"No." On this, she wouldn't change her mind. Couldn't. Because as much as she hated to admit this...it still hurt. Every time she thought about how easy it had been for him back then, it just hurt so, so much to remember how he had accused her outright.
"It's water under the bridge as far as I'm concerned," Eve said tightly. "There's no need to talk about it."
"The way you can't even meet my eyes—"
Eve's head jerked up as she glared at him. "Better now?"
No, Hunter thought grimly. Nothing would ever make him feel better about the past...now that he, too, had changed.
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
And in the past eight years, living without her had made him smarter.
Or at least smart enough to realize, with just one look at his Evelline's pale face and trembling lips...
I got it all wrong.
He still didn't know how Midnight had gotten out eight years ago. But this time, he was absolutely certain Evelline wasn't to blame.
“I’ll let it slide for now," Hunter said finally, "but I should warn you. We will talk about it. Sooner or later.”
"What for?" Eve demanded. "It's been eight years. Shouldn't you be more concerned about who I am today—"
"I am, actually—" Hunter was not the type to look at a gift horse in the mouth. "So please, enlighten me."
Eve fought against the urge to squirm in her seat. Why did it suddenly feel like she had just dug her own grave?
"Are you dating someone?"
"E-Excuse me?"
"None then?"
"I didn't say—"
"Yes or no, Evelline." Hunter's tone remained lazy...even though the mere thought of her with another man made something dangerous rise within him.
"Why is this even your business?"
"Because you're about to live here—"
Eve's eyes widened. "I never said—" Unbelievable! "I came here for a loan—"
"I know."
"Then why would you—"
"But it's not what I intend to give you."
"What do you mean it's not—" Eve couldn't help feeling a little dizzy, with all the twists and turns their conversation had taken. "Look, I just—"
"Do you have any lovers right now?"
"Why do you keep asking—"
"Are you being defensive?"
Oh my gosh, how could he even...
"No," she finally burst out. "None. Nada. I've never even had a boyfriend! Never even dated! I'm pure as the day I was born—"
"So, my stepsister is still a virgin."
"Former," she couldn't help but correct in a snarl, "and so what if I am?" Eve refused to look away even as she wished the floor would open up and swallow her whole. Why had she even admitted that? Why couldn't she just keep her mouth shut when she was supposed to? Why, oh why were her emotions always too...too uncontrollable where this man was concerned?
Hunter slowly rose from his chair as that one word ricocheted through his mind and unleashed something...forbidden inside of him.
Virgin.
His Evelline was still a virgin.
Eve started in shock when she realized Hunter was suddenly standing in front of her, and he was now pulling her to her feet, and the look on his gorgeous face—
"W-What—"
His mouth crashed down on hers, one hand tangling in her hair while the other pressed against the small of her back, molding her body to his.
His Evelline tasted exactly as he’d imagined. Sweet, with an underlying fire that threatened to consume him. Her hands pushed against his chest, weakly. It was almost as she was forcing herself to struggle, but already he could feel her starting to surrender as he traced the seam of her lips with his tongue.
Eve could only moan as his kiss deepened, and her body betrayed her, his stubble scraping deliciously against her skin as his mouth moved over hers—
Wait! Stop! Why am I letting this happen?
Eve managed to wrench away as she shoved Hunter off. "You—"
"Did what was necessary."
She sputtered in shock.
"I had to check if we can pull it off—"
"Pull what off?"
“Being married.”
What did he just say?
She opened her mouth, intending to ask if he had lost his mind—
"Would you say you've already learned your lesson, Evelline?"
Or maybe she was the one losing her mind because she was just completely lost. Where did those words even come from?