Page 63 of Mine

“And I’ve been dead inside ever since.” I lift my glass in Astor’s direction. “Cheers.”

“Why?”

“Why what?”

“Why have you been dead inside ever since?”

“Because I did nothing to help her. I just stood there like an idiot. I didn’t even try to stop them. I didn’t try to help her.”

As I’m speaking, Astor rises from the table, retrieves the decanter of wine, and tops off my glass. Then he returns to his seat and gestures for me to continue.

“Anyway, I didn’t protect the only thing in my life that I really loved and that loved me back. I just stood there, a useless little girl who didn’t stand up and be brave when I needed to be.”

“You were eight.”

“I was weak.”

“Stop that.”

“Fuck you.”

He dips his chin in approval of my backtalk, or my gall, perhaps? Or is it pride I see? In the short time we’ve known each other, it has become apparent that Astor is attracted to strong, bold women. This works well for me.

I pick up my fork and dig into my salad. While he does the same, I find myself staring at him in awe.

Every second I spend with Astor, I become more curious about the enigma that he is. His mood is like an ever-swinging pendulum, and I am unable to hold on for the ride. On one end is someone with complete disregard for others and extreme mood swings, and on the other, a thoughtful gentleman with the ability to melt the panties off a woman.

“You’re an incredibly complex person, do you know that?” I sip my wine.

“Yes, I do.”

“Do you also know that you have some serious issues?”

The corner of his lip quirks. He swallows his bite. “Do I?”

“Oh yeah.”

“Please.” He waves a hand in the air. “Indulge me, Miss Hart.”

“I’d love to. One, you’re a selfish egomaniac with severe control issues.”

He snorts in the middle of sipping his wine, breaks into a coughing fit, then wipes his chin and sets the wineglass on the table.

I fight a grin, then continue.

“You kidnapped me with no regard for my life or the consequences of it, for no other purpose than to make me a pawn in a game between two billionaires. From what I’ve seen, you treat everyone around you like they are on this earth for no other reason than to serve you, and you demand to be in control of every situation you’re in, again, with no regard for the others around you.”

“You’re incorrect, Miss Hart. If I had no regard for you, you’d be dead.”

I shake my head. “I don’t think so, Mister Stone. I’m calling your bluff on that one. You’d like me to think that, but it’s not the case. And this is the perfect segue into my next point. You’ve got a vicious temper.”

“I’m aware.”

“Then fix it.”

“Keep going.” He folds his hands on his lap, his attention suddenly laser-focused on my lips.

“Really? Are you sure?”

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