Page 22 of Under His Control

She growled, grabbing my arm. “And I said let’s go.”

8

EVA

Romeo knew exactly what he was doing, volunteering me to drive Liam around. He’d heard me complaining about Liam being here and doing nothing, just a lazy guest. It was just one way that I’d brainstormed to get the man away, but my cousin twisted it all. He’d tossed my complaint back in my face, implying that I hadn’t been doing anything lately. Suggesting that I chauffeur Liam was merely adding fuel to the fire, rubbing salt in the wound.

Ass.

That was the only reason I relented and agreed to spend time with the one man I’d rather avoid for the sake of my sanity. It was why, ten minutes later, I was buckled into my SUV while he rode next to me. I hated being a passenger princess. I loved the independence of driving. I wasn’t ever truly independent, always with guards nearby, but I preferred being behind the wheel myself.

“You didn’t have to take me,” Liam groused, staring out the window.

“I know I didn’t have to. No one makes me do anything I’d rather avoid.”

Shit. Fuck.I shouldn’t have said that.

“Really.” Liam faced me, deadpan. “Then I’ve been reading you wrong all along. It seemed to me that you’d rather walk over hot coals than have my company.”

“Just shut up.” I didn’t want him calling me out for avoiding him. I didn’t want him to point out that I’d run from him after that closet incident, either.

“Pull over. I’ll call an Uber or something.”

“No.” I pressed the locks to double-check they were on.

“Why? Why force yourself to put up with me?”

Because I can’t stop thinking about you!

“Why force me to put up with you, for that matter?” He shook his head. “I’m sure you’ve got better things to do than drive me around.”

I narrowed my eyes, keeping my focus on the road. “What the hell does that mean?”

“It means exactly what I said. Don’t put yourself out on my account. I’m sure you’ve got a busy day of acting like a spoiled brat.”

“Are you suggesting I don’t have a job? Nothing to do?” Thatreallyburned. If I hadn’t been brooding and moping about not having a purpose or something to concentrate on, his words would’ve gone in one ear and out the other. But I had been thinking about that, wishing I had a job to preoccupy myself.

“Don’t put words in my mouth.”

“Don’t try to insinuate and put words in my mouth, either.”

He scowled, confused with my comeback that didn’t really make sense. “The only thing I’d think about putting in your mouth is—” He caught himself, tilting his head to the side and squeezing his eyes shut. “No. I’m not going there.We’renot going there.”

My cheeks heated up. I felt the flush spreading over my face. As odd as it was to be blushing, I couldn’t get past the blatant appeal of what he’d stopped himself from finishing.

He wanted to cram his big cock into my mouth? To fuck me there?

Please. Fuck yes. Please.

“Why are you like this?” he asked, looking out the window again.

“Spoiled?” I huffed, needing this bitter bickering more than the lead-in to seductive thoughts like sucking on him. “I’m not spoiled.”

“Yeah. Sure. If you grew up in a home like that mansion, with multiple pools, staff, and no job, I fail to see how you escaped being spoiled.”

“I’m not,” I insisted. “It’s all part of the projection of power. The Constella Family is wealthy and influential, and with those conditions, we represent that status of life.”

“Fine. Whatever.” I waved it off. “I wouldn’t understand it. I grew up modestly. Like Tessa.”

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