Page 82 of Emerald Malice

The words tumble out before I can stop them, and shit. I would give my left kidney if I could just take that last part back, please and thank you. I’d give the right one, too, if necessary.

Andrey runs a hand over his stubbled jaw. “I’ve given you everything you need.”

“I don’t need expensive gifts,” I croak weakly. “When I’m not at work, I’m stuck in that godforsaken pool house, staring at empty walls with nothing to do and no one to talk to.”

“You seem to be spending a lot of time with Mila. Or does she not count?”

“She… she counts.”

“And Leonty mentioned that you’ve renewed your friendship with the blonde troublemaker who crashed the wedding.”

So much for having bodyguards that keep my secrets.

“Does she not count, either?” he continues.

“I… She does… That’s not?—”

He rises to his feet, those silver eyes flashing dangerously. All the anger that carried me across the lawn and through the house deflates now that I’m here.

“What I’m hearing is that you’re lonely for me.”

I can’t help the gasp that falls from my lips. “That’s not true.”

“No?” he ventures with a raised eyebrow. “Then tell me again, lastochka: why are you here?”

Say something. For God’s sake, say anything.

“It just feels bad,” I admit in a tiny whisper with my eyes rooted to the floor, “to have you slip into my bed at night whenever you want to. And then disappear immediately after. It makes me feel… used.”

There’s no regret or apology in those heartless eyes as he walks around the desk towards me. “I was under the impression that we had an agreement. One that you entered into of your own free will.”

“Yes, but?—”

“We both agreed: just sex.”

“I’m aware, but?—”

“Then it seems you misunderstood me,” he says smoothly. “I offered you sex, not companionship.”

I bite back the tears threatening my vision. I cannot—will not—allow myself to break down in front of him. “Let’s be honest: you didn’t offer me anything. You made sure I had no other options and then you took what you wanted.”

I don’t stick around to wait for his reaction. I turn on my heel and speed out the door, yanking it closed behind me.

Shura is standing in the sunlit hallway. His face twists in concern when he sees me. “Natalia, are you?—”

“Fine! Fine! Everything’s fine!” I shriek as I rush past him.

But the tears are already running down my cheeks and there’s no way in hell he didn’t see them.

I’m so desperate to get back to the relative safety of the pool house that I make a sharp left as the corridor narrows and run headlong into Yelena.

She exclaims in Russian but reaches out to steady me at the same time. “Natalia!” she gasps, “Are you… Are you crying?”

“No,” I lie through a choked sob.

Her face hardens as she tightens her grip on my arm and pulls me deeper into the house.

“No,” I try to protest. “I’m going… pool house… I don’t want to…”

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