Page 28 of By His Rule

“It’s weird. Women usually really care what I think about them.”

I narrow my eyes, glaring at him as hard as I can.

“I am notwomen. Whatever you’re used to with your easy hookups, I suggest you forget it all when it comes to me. I do not want what they do.”

I take a step back and make a show of checking him out.

“I do not have any interest in this,” I say, gesturing up and down the length of his body. “And I have even less interest in your bank account or any wild idea about being the special lady who will change your manwhoring ways.”

I gag.

“You disgust me, and if I had my way, I’d have nothing more to do with you.” The second the words are out of my mouth, I regret them.

Sure, he’s an asshole who thinks he’s something special, but he doesn’t deserve to be on the other end of my issues.

A memory of him sitting before me in that interview earlier pops into my head, and I quickly change my mind.

He deserves every word of my wrath for that stunt alone.

The doors open behind me and I take a step back. If I thought I could do it in my heels, I’d run. But I’m not drunk enough to forget that I’d fall spectacularly on my face, giving him even more reason to mock me.

I force a smile onto my lips. “Thanks for the ride. You’ve certainly made today…memorable.”

I hold his eyes for a second before spinning on my heels and miraculously storming out of the elevator without falling on my ass.

Putting as much sass into my walk as possible, I make a beeline for the doors, more than ready to suck in a breath that isn’t laced with his scent.

I march toward the main entrance of Kingston’s building and spill out into the cool evening air.

I shiver, regretting that I didn’t pull my jacket on sooner, but I can’t stop to do so now.

Without so much as a glance at the road, I take off toward a busier street where I can hopefully get lost in a crowd while I figure out my next move.

I need to call a car. I need to go home.

But there’s this wildness bubbling under the surface. The need to let go, to break free, to forget all the tethers that hold me down.

Emotion burns the backs of my eyes as I move faster, attempting to escape the demons that continue to haunt me no matter what I do or where I go.

You don’t belong in this life, Lorelei.

You’re not good enough. You’ve never been good enough.

You’re nothing. You have nothing and you will never have anything.

I’m almost running when a car pulls up beside me. I give it a double take, not expecting anyone to be idling beside me, and I instantly recognize the driver.

“Get in, Miss Lori,” Lewis demands from the driver’s seat.

I shake my head, unable to speak through the lump in my throat.

I continue moving down the street, and he keeps up with me, not caring about anyone who might be behind him.

“Lorelei,” he warns.

Curling my fingers, I let my nails dig into my palms in the hope it’ll help me pull my shit together.

Be normal, Lorelei.

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