Page 50 of Sizzling

I straightened and shifted my body toward him. “The men I’ve deceived didn’t deserve it? They were cheaters.”

He raised his eyebrows. “Only because you seduced them.”

This time, I laughed. “I absolutely did not. They always approached me first.”

Storm ran the pad of his thumb over his lower lip, and the movement distracted me. I felt my breathing hitch as I tried to tear my gaze off his stupid, beautiful face. It was hard, and I was failing.

“All it takes is one smile. One moment of your attention, and they’re seduced.”

Trying like hell to control my breathing as I lifted my gaze from his mouth to meet his eyes, I swallowed hard. Getting worked up over this man was a mistake. He’d say something cruel at any moment. He was disgusted by me.

“That sounds like a them problem,” I said, a little too breathy.

“Maybe, but you know the power you wield over a man. You use it to your advantage knowing you’re only in it for the money.”

My hands tightened in my lap, and I jerked my eyes off him and glared at the wall of lockers. “For someone who has never known what it’s like to be hungry, homeless, and desperate, you sure are judgmental.” I surprised myself by saying that. Admitting it. I never gave excuses for my behavior, yet here I was, doing it to this man because I didn’t like hearing the disapproval in his tone.

“You’re right. I don’t,” he agreed. “But again, with a talent like yours, you had another way to make money. Not everyone has that. You do.”

And it wasn’t enough! He had no idea how much money was required for staying on the run. Keeping Dovie safe. Making sure she had everything she needed while unable to give her any kind of education since I struggled to read a freaking menu at a restaurant. He had never raised a kid. Those were things I couldn’t say to him.

“I’m giving that a try now. I’ll let you know how it goes since you have such a strong opinion on the subject.” And it was going well, but only because of the thousands I’d put away that wealthy men had given me.

“You’re not currently looking for a new sugar daddy?” he asked, sounding slightly surprised.

I turned my head back to look at him. “Why? You offering?” I asked with a flirty smile I knew would piss him off.

His face was smug when he replied, “I’ve never had to pay for a hot fuck.”

Hearing him say fuck made me feel flushed.

I did my best to remain unaffected as I lifted a shoulder. “I never asked for money. They just gave it to me.”

“Don’t kid yourself. You asked. They knew they had one flex to keep you as their side piece, and they used it. Their wealth.”

Letting out a sigh, I laid my head back and rested it on the wall, staring up at the ceiling. “Whatever, Storm. I’m tired, and I do not have to defend my life choices to you.”

He was the first person I’d ever even tried to defend myself to. Why was I doing it now? Why did I care? It wasn’t like I would ever have him look at me differently. He’d never want me. Accept me. My crush, or whatever it was I seemed to harbor for him, needed to end. When I looked at him, I wanted to truly hate him. Every part of me. Right now, that was not the case.

“But you are,” he replied, then stood up.

I tilted my head to watch him as he walked toward me. My body began to do that tingly thing it did when he was close to me. It was not getting the memo that this was off the table.

“I’m what?” I asked, unable to remember what it was we were talking about while he towered over me.

The smile on his face held a touch of cruelty that should be a red flag, but I was overlooking it. He was too close to think about much else.

“Stand up, Briar,” he demanded in a husky tone that sent a thrill throughout my body.

I wouldn’t let him control me. Not again. I’d already suffered that humiliation.

“No,” I replied, not moving a muscle.

He tilted his head to the side, and his gaze traveled down my body slowly. Inhaling oxygen was a struggle. I tried to focus on that while he made his way back to my face.

“Now.”

My eyes widened, and the area between my legs clenched at his order. Dammit, why was this hot? I didn’t let men talk to me like this. I was the one who held the power. I decided what I would and would not do. Yet I uncrossed my legs and felt my body betray me as I did as told.

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