Page 27 of An Inevitable Marriage

This woman clearly didn’t know a thing about me. “It’s dangerous. There’s more than enough room at—”

“I’m not moving in with you.”

“Once we’re married, you’ll have no other choice.” I leaned back and balanced my ankle on my knee. “Why delay the inevitable?”

“Because.” Those devastatingly beautiful eyes lowered into a slow roam over the expanse of my chest. She sucked on her bottom lip and rolled it over her teeth. Again and again.

My skin prickled with awareness; my blood turned hot. Too hot.

If she glanced down at that very moment, she’d see what her little perusal had done to me.

I shifted in my seat, thankful when the slight movement had her eyes locked on mine once more. And judging by the pretty way her cheeks changed color, she knew that I knew she’d just checked me the hell out.

And fuck, if that didn’t have my body humming with satisfaction.

Smoothing my palms along the armrests of my chair, I held her stare. “Well, I guess I’ll just count the days until I have you all to myself.”

Chapter seven

Everlee

“Areyousureyouwant to do this?”

I flicked my gaze to Natalie’s reflection next to mine and I smiled. “Sure? Not even close. But I have to, Nat.”

“No, no.” She shook her head, blond curls furiously swishing back and forth as she covered my hand with hers. “You don’t. Thereareother ways.”

“I’m not interested in other ways.” Grabbing the mascara, I leaned closer to the weathered mirror of the motel room where I’d been for the past two weeks.

Anthony had left to shoot in an exotic location, but I still couldn’t sleep in the apartment we shared.

I only went back to pack up the rest of my things, and even then, I hadn’t been there for a minute longer than needed.

Of course, the king of the jungle, aka Liam, had insisted I move into his snazzy penthouse before our civil service today, but it didn’t feel right, so I’d refused.

I’d never forget the expression on his face when I’d told him no. Or how his blue eyes turned a few shades darker when he remarked on it being dangerous.

That one look and those specific words caused something hot and foreign to burn behind my ribs.

And when he’d so casually said he couldn’t wait to have me to himself… Goodness, it was like going into early menopause. I was freaking hot all over.

“Evie!”

I paused with the mascara brush still halfway through my lashes. “Huh?”

“What’s going on inside that head of yours?” Nat sounded annoyed. “I’m talking and talking, and you’re just…”

The words abruptly died on her tongue, which prompted me to glance in her direction again. Sure enough, my friend wasn’t happy with me. I couldn’t imagine why, though. I hadn’t been lost in thought that long.

Had I?

“Why?” she squeaked.

“Uh.” Furrowing my brows, I tossed the mascara back into my small makeup bag. “Why what?”

Natalie heaved out a heavy sigh. “Why won’t you let me help you?”

“I already told you.” I licked my lips and immediately pulled a face when the stickiness from the lip gloss coated my tongue. “I’m not taking money from you or Zach, and I’m definitely not moving in with you.”