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I blink away the tears threatening to form.

Elijah needs to understand that we can’t go on like this, treating me as something he can toy with while his fiancé looks the other way. I deserve better than that.

I clench my fists, running through all the biting remarks I’ve rehearsed in my head in the cab. Does he think he can treat me like some disposable plaything? Well, I’ll give that smug bastard a piece of my mind.

The elevator comes to a smooth stop. Now or never. The doors slide open to reveal an empty foyer.

Elijah isn’t here.

I step into the dark apartment, the faint city lights filtering through the floor-to-ceiling windows providing the only illumination.

“Elijah?” No response.

I make my way further inside. As I enter what appears to be the living room, I see a figure standing by the windows, back turned to me. Broad shoulders, dark hair... it’s him.

“Elijah.”

He turns, giving me that sexy, stupid smile. Dressed only in low-slung sweatpants, his chiseled abs are on full display. Shit... My eyes drift down, drinking in every inch of the defined ridges of his torso and the v-cut disappearing beneath the waistband.

Elijah closes the distance between us with a few strides. “See something you like, my gem?”

I force my eyes upward, away from his stupidly ripped physique. How does he even do that? 24/7 at the gym?

“Don’t flatter yourself.”

Elijah chuckles. “Hard not to when you are eye-fucking me like that.”

Heat creeps up my neck at his crude remark. “I’m not.”

He arches a brow, his gaze roaming over me in a way that makes me feel stripped bare. “Couldn’t stay away, could you?”

“I’m here to talk.” The words tumble out, more defensive than I intend. “We’re done. Whatever this twisted game is, I want no part of it.”

Elijah’s expression sobers as he takes a step closer. His broad chest is mere inches from my face now, the scent of his smoky cologne filling my nose.

“We’re not done until I say we’re done.”

Dammit, why does that turn me on?

“You’ve been ignoring my texts, my calls.” His eyes bore into mine with intense focus. “I thought I made it clear you’re not allowed to run from me anymore.”

“You don’t own me. I’m not gonna be your little plaything.”

His eyes flash. “So Esther got to you, huh? Filled your head with her bullshit? That jealous bitch will say anything to drive a wedge between us.”

“I’m not some naive little girl.”

“I told you, she means nothing to me. This thing with Esther, it’s business.”

“Don’t try to smooth-talk your way out of this.” I jab a finger at his bare chest, relishing the way his muscles twitch under my touch. Ugh, concentrate. “I’m done being jerked around by you.”

He doesn’t back away. If anything, he leans in. “Is that so?”

“Don’t come any closer.” My voice wavers as I fight the dizzying urge to let my hands roam over those sculpted abs, pulling him closer and digging my nails into his shoulders while he...

“Or what, my gem? You gonna punish me?”

I narrow my eyes. “From now on, it’s strictly business between us. No more games, no more fucking around.”

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