Page 47 of Carnal Games

Has he lost his mind?

There’s only room for one insane person in this relationship, and that’s me. I’ve staked my claim over it a long time ago.

“Come on, I’ll show you.” Unlocking the door, he slides his lean body out.

While my ass stays glued to the luxurious leather seat. I’ve barely processed his announcement by the time he reaches my side and pulls open my door. I accept his offered hand on autopilot and stumble out.

Hot and humid summer air bombards me from head to toe despite being in an enclosed space. I have to bear it for a few seconds before we step into the elevator. Nathan swipes a card and a second later, it swooshes into movement.

The cool air of the interior feels divine on my body. It clears my head enough to swing my gaze in Nathan’s direction. “I don’t need an apartment, Nathan.”

“Consider it an engagement present.”

“You’re not my real fiancé,” I point out.

“Fine. An early graduation present.”

The elevator makes no sign of slowing its ascent, making me wonder which floor we’re going to since there aren’t any floor numbers written anywhere on the inside. “Even so, I can’t accept it.”

“Wait until you’ve seen it before making a decision,” he coaxes.

Is his plan to pretend we never had a chat about his brother?

That won’t do.

I cross my arms as I peer ahead at the mirrored doors. “You can’t ignore me for a week, show up unannounced, and then gift me a brand-new apartment.” A thought pops up in my head and I jerk my eyes to his reflection. “Is this a bribe? An apology before you ask me to stay away from Kian?”

The elevator halts, alerting us with a tiny chime. The door slides open, revealing an inviting hallway with a floor-to-ceiling glass wall and two doors on each side. The bluish and cloudy sky surrounds us, giving the thrilling illusion we’re floating.

Instead of answering, Nathan takes my hand and guides me onto the creamed-colored floor. Bypassing the sleek black door on the right, we stop on the second door on the left, where he presses the small card against a screen over a keypad. Once it turns green, he types in the code, unlocking the apartment.

Until I step inside and realize it’s a penthouse.

With a whole-ass floor leading upstairs.

Mouth gaping at the glass walls trapping us high in the sky like birds, I venture deeper into the fully furnished living-slash-drawing room. The open sliding doors of the attached balcony let the breeze in, ruffling my hair.

Nathan strolls toward it and shuts them, trapping the humid air outside.

In seconds, the air conditioning does its magic and erases proof that it’s summer outside.

Nathan crosses his arms and leans against the wall leading into the world-class kitchen, which alone is tempting me to move into the apartment this second. I love, love, love cooking. Give me a recipe, the ingredients, and I’ll whip up the dish.

My mom always teases me that I can become a chef if I ever get bored with being a journalist.

I tear my eyes away from the dining and kitchen area, and study the rest of the place. Every square inch of the penthouse is of top-notch quality, made of imported woods and marbles.

“You complained the hostel is too far from your office,” mentions Nathan. “This place is close and there’s a metro station right around the corner to commute. I can have your stuff moved in by tonight.”

I cock a brow. “I didn’t say yes to moving in.”

“Why? Don’t you like it?”

“It’s lovely, Nathan.” I glance at the balcony and sigh in pleasure. “I mean, the view is to die for. I still can’t accept it, though.” Narrowing my gaze, I warn, “And you’re not distracting me from us having a talk.

He sighs and comes over to me. Tugging me to the royal blue couch which complements the gray walls, he gestures for me to sit. I dump my bag on the side and plop down.

Dropping down beside me, he stretches his arm across the back and faces me. “The penthouse isn’t a bribe.”