Page 139 of The Price of Forever

“I just thought I’d be getting a little higher return for my money.” His gaze sharpened to a knifepoint, and I could hear the insinuation weighing heavily in his tone. “But maybe I just need to look elsewhere.”

I batted my eyelashes. “Don’t be like that, Eli. You just need to tell me what you want.”

He leaned closer. “Kiss me.”

My heart started pounding. On a list of the least desirable activities in the world, kissing Eli rang in at the number one spot. I tried to survey my surroundings without looking like I was disintegrating from panic. “In public?”

“I want them all to see,” he murmured. The legs of his chair scraped across the floor until we were inches apart. “Kiss me and prove you’re serious about where this is heading.”

I laughed, but I could tell it sounded nervous. “Geez, is that all you want?”

“Now, Jordan.”

I leaned into him, every inch of my body wanting to lean in the opposite direction. He caught the back of my head in his hand and pulled me into him, laying a sloppy kiss on my lips. His sweat-tinged cologne sank into me, making my insides revolt. I never wanted to be this close to this man again—and I was crying out for Seven on the inside.

I tried to school my reaction when he pulled away. All I could see was his look of deep satisfaction.

“I’m having another house party,” he said when we parted. “I need you there.”

“Just tell me when.” I tried to keep my voice casual.

“This weekend. You’ll have to call off work. But I’ll make it worth your while.” He grinned evilly as he adjusted his navy-blue jacket. I was dismissed, made evident by the way he stood and sauntered off, ready for the next portion of his day. I twisted in my seat, searching out Trojan’s familiar boxy shoulders and powerful frame. He watched me with a worried look but surged to his feet.

We hurried out of the restaurant. Humiliation clung to me, and I didn’t speak for a long time, even after we were in the SUV and heading back to my apartment. Once Liam pulled up to my building, I turned to Trojan and said, “Can you not tell Seven?”

His handsome face crumpled. “Jordy, I have to. Besides, he’s gonna know. He reviews all the audio.”

Seven would for sure hear that muffled kiss.

“Then just tell him…I didn’t fucking want to,” I grumbled.

“Trust me. It was obvious.” He squeezed my shoulder before I slipped out of the SUV and headed up to my apartment.

Once inside, I contemplated burning my outfit again, since Seven couldn’t tear it off me, but I opted for a long, hot shower. I didn’t have to work at the club that night, so I pampered myself for the rest of the day—face masks, decadent lattes, comfort TV running constantly in the background. Just when I thought I might pop out to the nearby park to hunt some Pokémon and grab some rice noodles for dinner, Axel called.

“Hey, big brother,” I said cheerfully once I swiped the call on.

“Hey, Jordan.” His voice sounded strained. “Listen, you got a minute?”

“Yeah, sure.” I plopped onto my couch, muting the current movie, which was the most recent remake of Baywatch. “What’s up?”

He sighed heavily. “I don’t even know what to say, honestly. I’m just…confused.”

“About what?”

“Jordan, you and Damian and I talked last week about Cora’s ex. Remember?”

My heart sank to my feet. “Yeah, I remember.”

“Then why the fuck did Cora get sent a picture of you and Eli kissing at Adobe today?”

I pressed a fist to my forehead, gritting my teeth as I tried to contain the shriek of frustration that threatened to spill out. Fuck fuck fuck fuck.

“Who sent it to her?” I squeaked out.

“Her friend. Someone who was having lunch there and recognized Eli. Does it matter? Jordan, what the fuck are you doing? Why are you dating Eli?”

“I’m not dating him,” I rushed to say.

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