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Weak.
I decided then and there this man will never have access to me. Not my mind. Not my heart, nor my body. He can think whatever he wants about me. Other than three-point-three million dollars - I don't owe this man a goddamn thing.
But the one cleaning up the mess on the floor? Parker?
He deserves it all.
Trust me, I've called my mother countless times to try and have him fired, but he simply takes the phone away from me, greets my mother, lets her know I’m trying to rid myself of him haughtily, rolls his eyes at me, hangs up the phone, then leaves and comes back with the most absurd cupcake he can find.
He’s infuriating.
One of the many reasons I love him.Needhim.
I snap my eyes back to Maksim when I realize I haven’t responded and sigh. "Thank you, Mr. Giordano. Please have Jonathan contact Lily so she can fit them into my calendar. I'll do the same and have Lily send it to Jonathan."
"Sabrina-"
I wave my scorched hand in the air to shut him the fuck up. "I ask you to keep your hands to yourself when you're around me. As you can see, I am aweakwoman, and unfortunately, myweakskin burns easily. You can go now, Mr. Giordano. I need to tend to this before it blisters." I start moving away from him and to the dark stairway.
"You'll be there tonight?"
"Unfortunately," I call back from the landing, then continue up.
I roll my eyes when the front door slams and enter my bedroom.
Cockwombles.
The dress I chose is black velvet, full length, and hangs off my shoulders, going into a sweetheart neckline with a slit running up my left thigh to the crease that meets my hip, the rest of it hugging my curves.
It isn't long-sleeved, as my fiancé suggested for me to wear, but I am wearing matching gloves that go all the way up and past my elbows. All areas covered in touching regards. The necklace I'm wearing is rose gold, and a single pink diamond pendant hangs from it. I chose to wear my hair in a 1950s glam style with the left side pulled back by a pink Swarovski crystal clip, the rest falling in waves. Winged eyes, pink lips.
On the outside, I'm flawless.
On the inside, I'm rioting.
Nerves wrack me, wreck me, ebbing and flowing, waiting to disintegrate me into a ball of chaos.
Parker waits for me at the bottom of the stairs. He's not coming with me, which is probably why I feel like this. He spends Valentine’s Day having dinner with his little sister, Rory. He tried to get out of it, but I wouldn't let him. I adore Rory and they need to spend time together.
There's a knock on the front door, and Parker holds out his elbow, which I take. Before either of us can open the door, he surprises me by kissing my temple.
The act is so small, and what should have me crawling under the table, makes me gasp. I tilt my head back to look up at him, those mixed-matched eyes making my heart pound. "I'm a phone call away."
"I know."
"You aren't weak, hellcat."
I huff out a laugh. "I think I'm more upset that I didn't bake today."
He grins, those incisors of his a little too large but goddamn, he's a beautiful man. "Bake for me tomorrow?"
I nod once. "Is Rory staying here tonight?"
"Yeah," and then there's another knock on the door. “I… I put earplugs in your clutch. In case you need them.”
I smile up at him when another knock sounds. Godthat man is relentless.
"I suppose it's showtime," I rasp, breathing in his mouth-watering scent of rainwater and spice.“Give Rory my love.”