Page 40 of About Love and Revenge

But I know that it could ruin everything, because when it's over, I'll probably be fired with a pat on the back.

No. It's best not to go down that route.

I walk up to my room, and it's kind of suffocating to have so many rooms all to myself.

I've always liked being alone, but I feel oddly empty since he left. He didn't try to kiss me again, despite always keeping close as he took me around the rest of the house. Every time I passed him, my body reacted, and I think Odin felt the same. I should hope that he gives up quickly, that he finds another woman to be interested in, because I don't know if I'll be able to say no if he decides to seduce me.

It's not just the curiosity I've always felt about sex. It's him. Odin is so intense that he completely blows me away with his kisses and heat.

I lived a long time in the midst of coldness. Despite my mother's blind devotion to my father, the atmosphere in our house was never that of a loving home, so experiencing passion with Odin takes away my ability to think.

The arrogance with which he delivered the speech humiliating my father at his house party was the same arrogance with which he possessed my mouth over and over again while I was in his arms. He also seemed reluctant to leave, as if waiting for an invitation to stay, except I didn't want to ruin my new life, so I just let him go.

He wanted to give me a new cell phone, but I declined. I prefer mine, since I already know how to use it. Bossy as he is, he seemedirritated, but even so he accepted my decision. He only swapped the Greek sim card for a new one.

That also changed the settings a bit. As far as I can see, I think he should be changing our numbers, but I'm not sure.

Well, never mind.

There's really no one to call.

At some point I'll have to let my sisters and Theo know what happened, but I'm not ready yet.

I reach the bedroom, and as soon as I take off my dress, leaving only my bra and panties on, I hear the distant sound of my cell phone ringing and I go back to the living room to get it.

I know it can only be him, and there's something strangely sensual about taking his call dressed only in lingerie.

“Elina?”his deep voice asks, sending a delicious shiver through my body.

“Yeah?”

“Have you managed to familiarize yourself with your new home yet?”

“Not quite, but I like it here.”

“Did I wake you up?”

It hasn't been more than an hour and a half since he left, but it still feels like a long time.

“No. I was getting ready to get in the shower.”

A hoarse sound comes from the other end of the line, causing the tips of my breasts to immediately swell.

Why did I say something like that knowing how much he wants me?

I'm not a tease. Generally. Perhaps the physical distance gives me the courage to push him, despite all my earlier conclusions about how wrong it would be for us to get involved.

“Are you naked?”

My body shudders in response to the directness of his question, as well as to the desire I notice in his voice. “Almost.”

“Only in panties?”

“That's none of your business,” I say, suddenly feeling awkward. I don't know what I was thinking when I started this conversation. It's insane to provoke a man like Odin. There's no way I'm going to win this game.

“You're safe, at least for today, so you could be a good girl and answer me. Since I can't have you in my bed right now, at least allow me to use my imagination.”

I stay silent, deciding whether I should hang up, but even though I know it would be the wisest thing to do, I find myself revealing, “I haven't taken my bra off yet.”

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