Page 176 of Dancing with the Devil

“I’m concerned as to how you got either of your jobs, because I’m certain it wasn’t for your friendly nature or your manners,” I humorously said and she scoffed, showing me a sarcastic smile.

She jutted out her bottom lip—taunting me. “You’re concerned about me? That’s cute,” she pressed a smile on her face. “If you don’t like the customer service, just leave,” she forced a friendly smile.My girl…

No doubt in my mind that if she knew who Ireallywas, she still wouldn’t back down.

“I’ll order when you’re done performing,” I said, and she bit down on her teeth.

“No. You won’t. Just order something.Anything,” she almost desperately pleaded and I couldn’t help but feel my body relax, wanting to give her what she wanted.Anythingshe wanted.

I ran my tongue across my bottom lip and slightly tilted my head to the side.

“Bourbon,” I finally said and she let out a breath of relief. “Don’t take your time,” I shook my head and she rolled her eyes—again—before leaving.

Don’t take your time, because I want to be in your presence.

CHAPTER 41

Nirah

“YOU… LIED TO me?” I whispered, sitting down on the bed in our hotel room. “All this time you’ve been lying to me?”

He sat across from me—on a chair, with his elbows on his knees—and didn’t look up at me.

His voice was cold. “Yes.”

“And you didn’t think to tell me the truth?” I scoffed, shaking my head.

“Nirah, I know you’re mad—”

“I’m not mad, I’m hurt!” I quickly interrupted him. “Know the difference—how could you?” I asked n disbelief. “I thought—I thought youlovedme, but,” I shook my head, looking at him, but he still couldn’t look at me.

“I do love you—”

“No, you don’t, Antonio! You don’t lie to someone you love like this. You don’t fuck with their life and pretend like you had nothing to do with it.”

His eyes were everywhere except on me. “It’s different now—”

“Is that supposed to make everything okay? Because you changed your mind?”

“No, of course not, but—”

“Would you look at me?” I cut him off, and he kept his eyes fixed on the corner of the room. I scoffed in disbelief, getting up.

Taking his face in my hand, I forced him to look at me. “Youhurtme. You lied about why you were at my house, about our relationship, about who you were and now you can’t even look at me?”

“Do you think I want to see you like this?” he snapped, standing up, and my hand immediately dropped from his face. “I don’t want to see the redness in your eyes or the tears roll down your face!”

I placed my hand on his shoulder, forcing him back down so that he stayed seated. “Don’t try to intimidate me with your figure,” I hurtfully warned and he didn’t move, turning his head towards the window.

“Maybe if you had told me the truth, I wouldn’t—”

“Yes, you would have. You would havehatedme,” he immediately cut me off. I bit down on my quivering bottom lip, slightly tilting my head to the side.Would I have hated him?

He pulled me onto his lap by my waist and held me in place.

“I drove your father out of your life, and already set your future in stone, Nirah, so no matter what you say now… I know, that you would’ve hated me.”

“Were you ever planning on telling me the truth, or were you just going to wait until you fucked me, married me, knocked me up to then suddenly drop the bomb?”