Page 27 of Beautiful Lies

There’s something beneath all that defiance of hers that’s as fascinated with me as I am with her. Not even she can fight it. It may very well be the thing that stops us from killing each other.

“Fine.Knox.” My name rolls off her tongue, hauntingly sweet.

I dip my head again, turn, and leave. But the sound of her voice follows me.

It’s a sound I could get used to.

Chapter Seven

Isla

“That arrogant asshole,”I seethe, mumbling to the walls of my empty apartment.

Yes, Universe—you bitch—I’ve officially gone crazy. Talking to myself and everything.

My paintbrush hits the canvas with more force than necessary, sending crimson splattering across what was supposed to be a delicate landscape. I don’t even care anymore.

Painting was meant to distract me, to help me focus on something that wasn’t him, but it’s not working. Not one bit.

I can’t go two seconds without thinking about Knox Vale, his overbearing arrogance, that damn kiss, and the orgasm he gave me.

I’m angry at myself again. One touch, and I fell into his trap, allowing his skilled fingers and possessive charm to unravel my dignity. It won’t happen again. I’ll make sure of that.

It’s been four days since I last saw him.Four days, and I’m still fuming at ten o’clock on a Sunday night. I’ve grown more on edge with each passing day and hour.

Though, I’m sure that’s perfectly understandable. I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t be fuming. And then, to add insult to injury, he kept me waiting to hear about hisnext steps.

I spent all of Thursday and Friday with my phone nearby waiting for a call. Did I get one?

Noooo.

Yesterday morning, I left Mom with Aunt Bernice, Mia’s mother, and decided to head to my apartment.

With my mother in the safe hands of her older sister, I needed time to myself.

That’s when the fucking call came through. But I didn’t answer.

No way was I going to answer after waiting around like an idiot for two days. Besides, it’s the weekend, and I already decided it was going to be mine.

Whoever it is—maybe Knox—has been calling randomly since yesterday and leaving text messages asking me to call back, I ignored them all.

I already signed the contract, so I planned to own this little slice of time.

They can wait until tomorrow. Knox is a Monday problem.

The strange thing is, Idowant to know what those next steps are, but at the same time, I don’t want to know. The bruised, grieving part of me wants to stay in this blissful bubble of ignorance for as long as I can. Or at least until tomorrow morning, when I have to face the world again.

No doubt I’ll be told details about the actual marriage and wedding, which I’m certain will be sooner rather than later. Knox and I have as much in common as a dog and bird, but I’m sure we’re both eager to get everything over and done with. Especially the marriage.

I shake my head. Mia was right. I need to stay positive and focus. Those are the only things that will help me now.

Red bleeds into blue on my canvas, creating a muddy purple that matches my mood perfectly. I load my brush with more paint and drag it across the surface.

Earlier, it looked a mess, especially when I allowed raw anger to take over, but somehow, it took shape and became something beautiful.

That always happens with my paintings. Even when I veer off the path. Somehow, I bring it together. I just wish I could do the same with my life.

This started out as a painting of the Russian countryside where my mother's family are from.