Page 100 of Hate You Up Close

She places her delicate hand in mine and stands from the couch. The faint brush of her skin against mine has me wanting to take her up to our room right the fuck now.

“Evening,” she hums, letting go of my hand to adjust her dress.

“Looks like someone went shopping today,” I smirk, roaming my eyes down her sexy red dress. It clings tight to her body, showing off the toned lines of her torso.

“I did,” she nods, arching a brow. “But not with your money.”

She reaches into her purse and digs out my credit card.

“Here,” she adds, handing it to me. “I didn’t spend a dime.”

I tilt my head and furrow my brows.

“Why not?” I ask.

“Because I’m not your whore, Elliot,” she scoffs. “I make my own money. I can take myself shopping.”

Okay then.

“Damn,” I reply sarcastically, holding my hands up and stepping back as if she stabbed me. “I was just trying to be nice.”

“Yeah,” she chuckles, rolling her eyes. “Isn't it funny that you decided to do something nice after I showed you my tits and let you have free reign of my body? I make my own money, which means I can afford to buy myself a new dress and a pair of Louboutins without the help of a man.”

My eyes drop to her shoes as I realize there isn't a scuff on them.Holy shit.They are brand spanking new.

“You bought thosetoday?” I ask, staring down at her heels.

“Yup,” she nods proudly.

“That’s fucking hot,” I rasp before pulling my bottom lip between my teeth.

It’s no secret that Roxanne’s defiance turns me on. She does shit like this on a daily basis to prove a point. And I fucking love that about her.

“Well,” I exhale, rubbing my palm against my jaw andsweeping my eyes back up her body. “You look beautiful, Rox. Absolutely gorgeous.”

Her lips tilt up in a genuine smile as her green eyes lift to mine.

“And to be clear, I wasn't trying to treat you like a whore,” I add in a serious tone while holding her stare. “I just didn't want you paying for something that I plan to destroy later on tonight. I can’t promise that your little red dress won’t be in shreds later.”

She gulps, her eyes widening at my statement.

“You like that, yeah?” I ask as a wide smirk stretches across my face. “The thought of me ripping that dress off of you like I did your panties last night–”

“Elliot,” she cuts me off through gritted teeth, lowering her voice. “We are in public.”

She quickly looks around, making sure no one heard me. Blush creeps along her cheeks as a bead of sweat forms on her temple. I’ll never get tired of watching her body react to me. It’s cute and so damn sexy.

“Don’t we have a dinner reservation to get to?” she clears her throat, pushing a dark lock of hair out of her face.

I look down at my watch to see that our reservation is in fifteen minutes.

“Shit,” I curse under my breath. “Yeah. We have to leave now if we’re going to make it in time. Where did you park the car?”

“I didn’t park it, valet did.” She stares at me like I’m dumber than a box of rocks because where else would the car be at a five-star hotel? Again, I haven't been able to think straight today. She has my mind all jumbled and mushy.

“Right,” I say, nodding my head. “Well, we better head that way.”

I place a palm to the small of her back and begin walkingtoward the double doors below the gildedValet Parkingsign. Heat radiates from the spot I’m touching her, my fingertips buzzing with anticipation that surges throughout my body.