Page 12 of An Inevitable Marriage

“It’s not cheating if I’m not emotionally involved.”

“Seriously? So it’s okay to stick your dick into whatever willing hole because you’renot emotionally involved? Are you even listening to yourself?”

The look in his eyes turned murderous. “It’s not my fault you were never up for anything adventurous or that we could only screw with the lights off.” He paused before chuckling low under his breath. “Then again, maybe that was a good thing.”

I didn’t like the way his gaze traveled over my body. And when he took a step forward, I desperately wanted to take one back.

“With all that weight you’re carrying around, it was probably better I didn’t see you.”

His words stung. They cut deeper than he’d ever realize, but I’d never ever give him the satisfaction of showing how much he’d just hurt me.

“I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to realize you’re such an asshole.” My voice stayed steady, and I was incredibly grateful for that.

“Just remember I’m the only asshole who wasn’t completely repulsed by you.” He barked out a menacing laugh that chilled me to my very core. “No one will ever look at you, let alone think about touching you.”

Hurt and furious, I reached behind me and grabbed the first thing I could find—which happened to be my sparkly stiletto—and flung it at him.

I didn’t even bother to hide my satisfaction when the toe hit him smack dab in the middle of his chest. I would have preferred the spiky end, but we take what we can get.

“You really are—”

“A bitch? Yes, I know.” Jutting my hip out, I crossed my arms in front of me. “It would seem your vocabulary, along with other things”—I gave his groin a pointed stare—“is rather small.”

Done with the conversation and with him, I gave him my back and stuffed the rest of my clothes into the bags.

I was so focused on getting my shit and getting out of there I didn’t hear him move until it was too late.

Anthony caught my wrists from behind and pinned my arms against my sides. With his front pressed against my back, he leaned in close, too damn close, and sneered against my ear.

“You can throw your stupid little insults all you want, Evie, but you and I both know the only insecure one here isyou.”

“Piss off, Anthony.” I tried to wiggle free, but his grip was painfully tight.

His sneer morphed into a laugh that churned my insides.

“You know, I never really wanted you. I only chatted you up to get close to the spoiled hotel heiress. Probably one of my best ideas, considering what a great payday this whole adventure turned out to be.”

I rammed my head back and hit something hard. Probably his chin if the stinging pain in my skull was anything to go by.

“Fuck,” he yelled and thankfully let go.

The instant I was free, I took three huge steps away from him.

Furiously rubbing his jaw, he glared at me. “You can fight and hurt me all you want, but that doesn’t change the fact you’re repulsive and so fucking unlovable. Wallow in that, youstupid bitch.”

With that last blow at me, he marched out of the room. It wasn’t too long after that when the slamming front door jolted me back into action.

Hurrying to the bed, I ignored the scalding pain inside my chest as well as the stupid tears stinging my eyes. I should know better than to let the words of a bruised ego affect me like this.

But knowing better didn’t mean shit.

Especially not when you were face-to-face with your deepest, darkest fears.

Because what if he was right? What if no one could…

No!

My mind couldn’t go there. I wouldn’t allow it.