Page 19 of My Ruthless Neighbor

My eyes fall shut in pleasure as the cold water erases the dryness in my throat, quenching my thirst.

I tilt the glass to down the entire thing when a hand closes on my wrist. The glass is plucked from my grip. The motion makes the water drip past my lips and onto my chin, turning me into a wet mess.

“What the fuck?!” I jerk my head up and freeze.

Thud.

Thud.

Thud.

Archer Kim. What in the world is Archer doing here?

Dark brown orbs filled with irritation flit across my face.

“You.” He seethes. My breath catches when I am hauled to my feet.

“What the hell? What are you doing here?”

Raleigh told me only Hannah, and their teams were staying here. Why the hell ishehere? I know he is the owner of KIM Advertising but does he always accompany his employees on business trips?

Well, this is not just a business deal. Raleigh is getting married. But I didn’t know Raleigh and Archer were close. Anyway, I don’t like that he is here.

After the humiliation, I took solace in thinking I wouldn’t see him again. My relief was short-lived. Because here he is. Right in front of me. With only a few inches separating us. And now that the initial shock has subsided, I gawk at him.

If it weren’t for his fierce gaze pinning me in place, I would’ve concluded Archer has a twin brother who lives in Hawaii. Because the guy in front of me is a far cry from the sophisticated and polished suit who kicked me out a week ago.

His raven hair isn’t sleeked back for starters. It’s disheveled, and the dark locks are hanging over his forehead, giving him a soft look.

A floral shirt has replaced the custom-made suit. What boggles me is that the shirt is hanging open, flaunting his eight packs abs. The white shorts he is currently wearing teases me with his killer deep-setv. I swallow hard.

The deep baritone hits me straight between the legs when he says, “I should be asking that question. What areyoudoing here?”

When I realize he is still gripping my upper arms, I jerk out of his hold. “None of your goddamn business.”

“Get out.” His words sting. More than they should. The exhaustion was taking a toll on me as it is. I just need some food. And bed. Deciding not to respond, I begin to turn.

It’s not like I am afraid of him. I just refuse to waste my energy on him. It doesn’t matter how insanely sexy he looks, it’s useless if the guy isn’t respectful toward me.

Yes, our last encounter was… complicated. I lied. But I got my punishment. Right now, I am not breaking any rules. I am not lying either. So I am silently going to go somewhere else to wait for Raleigh. A place where this jerk can’t reach me.

He clutches my elbow and I’m spun around, colliding with his steel wall of chest. A very bare chest.

Dragging my eyes upward, I grit out, “Decide at once whether you want me to leave or be all over me.”

We glare at each other for a long moment. “First you need to tell me what you are doing here. Are you stalking me?”

I laugh. “You’re too full of yourself, Archer.”

His eyes narrow into slits. “Who said you could call me by my name?”

“Ooh, you want me to call yousir?” I say with a smirk. “Kinky,” I add just to rile him up.

Archer’s nostrils flare, and his breath grows ragged. “Watch your mouth.”

My smile is cold as I stare at him. “And you keep your hands to yourself, asshole.” He removes his hand from my elbow.

“Touch me one more time and I’ll knee you in the fucking nuts.”

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