Page 34 of The Billionaire's Bride

I gape at him. "Hello? What do you think this entire," I shake my hand in the air, "situation is about."

"I thought…" He scowls. "I know you said you have feelings for him, but you have fallen for him as well?"

"Oh, my god." I slap my palm to my head, "I can’t even… I mean… Seriously?" I march to the door of the bedroom, "Get out of my house."

"No."

"Edward," I slam my hands on my waist, "I want you out of my sight, right now. I mean it."

He places the hairbrush on the dressing table, then turns to me. "I’ll leave—"

I release a breath.

"This bedroom. I’ll spend the night on the couch."

"What the—?"

"Before I leave, I need to make sure there’ll be someone watching the house at night—"

I make a rude noise.

"And that Baron…" his features harden, "has arranged for round the clock surveillance."

"Whatever."

He prowls toward me, and I watch him draw closer, closer still. He pauses in front of me, his big body blocking out the rest of the room from my line of sight. I gulp. A ripple of desire pulses down my spine. I jerk my chin toward the doorway. "Leave, please," I mutter.

"This isn’t over, Eve." His jaw tics. "Not by a long shot."

I hold his gaze. I will not look away. Nope, I need to hold my own if I have any chance of getting through this in one piece. Hah! Famous last words. I am already broken inside. And confused. And at my wit’s end about what to do. Time away from both… Yes, that is exactly what I need. A little time apart, without either alphahole breathing down my neck or getting jealous about the other. Yes, totally what I crave at the moment. Some peace and quiet please?

He lowers his knees, peering into my eyes. "Is this what you want, Eve?"

I nod.

He holds my gaze a second longer, then nods, straightens, and walks out of the room. I close the door behind him, lock it. Bet he heard that. Too bad. Right now, it’s self-preservation. That’s my focus. I head for the bathroom, take a quick shower, then change into my sleep shorts and cotton-camisole. I slide into bed, switch off the light and pull up the covers. Shit, I didn’t get any pillows or a duvet for him. I roll on my side. Too bad. He’ll just have to do without it. Alphahole has a thick hide; that should keep him warm. And the bathroom... There isn’t another in the house, and I locked the door. Forget it. If he wants to use it, he can knock. For once, it will be him asking me for something… Instead of the other way around. I close my eyes and must have fallen asleep, for the next thing I know, it’s morning.

I throw off the covers, head to the bathroom, brush my teeth.

I walk back into the bedroom, just as my phone pings with an incoming message. I pick it up, swipe the screen to read the message.

Raisa:I've emailed you all the details of the wedding. Dad will be gutted if you don’t come. Please Ava, don't be selfish.

Am I selfish? Is that why I'd fallen so quickly for Baron, right after falling for Edward? Is that why I am holding onto both of them, because I can't let either of them go? Is that why I am so confused, because I want everything? Is that so wrong, though? To not settle for what doesn't feel right?

It's why I had dropped out of med school. And not that embarking on a creative career is any easier, but at least, it feels right somewhere inside of me. Just like... It doesn't feel right to make a decision about the two of them...yet. And going to Dad's wedding? I sit down on the bed. I had read Raisa's email, and know that the wedding is in the backyard of our family home. It’s only a few days to the event now and... Shit, I don’t want to break his heart. Truly, I don’t.

I reach for the phone to answer her message, keep my fingers poised over the keyboard, but the words don’t come. I place the phone aside. Head to the closet, drag on a sweatshirt and leggings then walk out of the bedroom.

When I reach the front room, I find it’s empty.

13

Baron

I open the door to my apartment and Edward stares back at me.

"What the hell do you want?" I growl.