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“Maybe you sensed my devasting beauty beneath the braces and the zits and you knew it would be detrimental to you.” I’m trying to tease him, but I end up sounding ridiculous. I’m sure that’s not it.

But his expression remains serious, his gaze never wavering. “I probably did. And you are fucking detrimental to me. At least I’ll die with a smile on my face.”

When he kisses me, he steals my breath. My thoughts. All I can do is feel. The sensuous way his mouth moves against mine, coaxing my lips apart, his tongue sliding in for the barest lick around mine. He’s gone before I can respond, pulling his mouth away from my still-seeking lips and he tucks me firmly against him, my head lodged in that warm space between his neck and shoulder.

“Go to sleep,” he murmurs and like the obedient girl I am, Ishut my eyes and fall into deep slumber within seconds. I’m exhausted, yet I feel…safe.

Safe in his arms.

In his bed.

Life has definitely taken a turn.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

SINCLAIR

Iwake up to the sound of voices.

Female voices.

My eyes pop open and I realize I’m alone in the massive bed. I have no idea when August left, but his side of the mattress is cool so it’s been a while.

Sitting up, I shove my tangled hair away from my face and look around the room before rubbing the sleep from my eyes. I hear the voices again, a little louder this time, and I recognize August’s deep baritone. The distinct sound of a feminine laugh.

My stomach twists, and that’s not from hunger. There’s a woman in his apartment, possibly two and he abandoned me in his bed to go…what? Entertain them? What time is it anyway?

Spotting my phone on the nightstand, I reach for it and see that it’s past ten in the morning. I have texts from Elise, all of them growing more insistent.

Elise:How was your date with Lancaster?

Elise:Did he fuck your brains out? Please say yes, even if you have to lie.

Elise:I bet he’s got a giant dick.

Elise:Sorry. I didn’t mean to piss you off, talking about your man’s dick.

Elise:Sinclair! Where are you?

Elise:Please respond before I call the cops.

Elise:SINCLAIR MILLER YOU BETTER ANSWER ME OR I’M GOING TO THINK AUGUST MURDERED YOU AND LEFT YOU FOR DEAD IN THE MIDDLE OF MANHATTAN.

I hurriedly tap out a response to her, not wanting her to panic any more or worse, actually call the police.

Me:I’m fine. I spent the night at his apartment and I just woke up. Drank too much last night and threw up on the side of the street. I’ll give you all the deets later.

Another giggle from the mystery woman sounds and I clutch the phone so tight, my fingers turn white. Who is that? How dare he flirt and talk to someone when I’m still in his bed? God he’s the absolute worst.

I knew the way he acted last night was too good to be true.

Huffing out a loud exhale, I throw back the covers and jump out of bed, not caring if my hair is a mess or that I’m in one of his T-shirts. Maybe that’ll make a point—I’ll look freshly fucked and whoever this woman is will know it. Possibly be devastated by my appearance.

Good. I’m borderline devastated too.

I march across the cavernous bedroom and open the door, striding toward the voices, realizing they’re all in the kitchen. I’m fuming, my breaths coming fast, my entire body going hot at what I’m about to see. August having a grand old time with other women. The asshole.

I clench my hands into fists and strut into the kitchen,hoping I look like I’ve had the most spectacular night of nonstop sexual escapades, even though that’s a lie. The illusion will have to be good enough.