Page 474 of Hate Mates

“Please,” he adds.

“Cohen, I?—”

“Don’t.” He stands abruptly. “Don’t give me your answer now. Think about it. Can you at least do that?”

It won’t make any difference, but he’s been so nice, caring, thoughtful, and generous, and I acquiesce before I can question the wisdom of it. “Okay. I’ll think about it.” Swiping my cell off the table, he hands it to me to unlock before adding his number and calling himself.

“I’ll message you tomorrow.”

My heart virtually launches out of my chest when he leans down, putting his face all up in mine, so close I can almost taste him. “Stop deluding yourself, and stop torturing both of us. Make the right call.” His lips press to the corner of my mouth, lingering for a few beats, and I swear I stop breathing. “See you later, princess.” Tossing me one of his signature smirks, he saunters off, leaving me struggling to catch my breath.

“Say yes, babe.”Cece clasps my face in her hands. “Go out with him. Let him wine and dine you. Spoil you like the princess he believes you are. Ride his cock a few times. Use him for the sex, and then dump him on your terms. I really don’t see any issue. He already passed your father’s background checks.”

“The issue is Anya.”

Cece rolls her eyes from her sprawled position on my couch. “Girl, you know what I’m going to say, and I’m seriouslysounding like a broken record. Anya went out with him for a few weeks last year. They didn’t even fuck. It’s inconsequential.”

“That won’t matter to my sister. You know how she is.”

“You let her walk all over you, and I don’t understand it. Why?”

“Anya was there for me when Mama died. She took care of me.”

“You’ve more than paid her back for that. Anya is a selfish bitch who thinks about no one but herself. She sure as fuck wouldn’t hold back if the tables were turned. Remember Noah? She had no hesitation dating him after he’d kissed you and made his intentions towardyoucrystal clear. She stole him right out from under your nose, and you let her. I swear she only did it ’cause she thought you were into him. She dumped his pathetic ass a couple months later when she realized you didn’t give a shit.”

“That was petty and mean, for sure.”

“It’s way more than that, and you know it. Answer me one thing, and I want the honest truth. Do you like Cohen? Like really like him?”

I admit what I’ve been afraid to admit to myself. “Yes. He pushes my buttons like you wouldn’t believe, but I’ve never felt such a strong connection to any guy before. It was instant from the moment I met him. I have felt such huge guilt.” Crushing on your sister’s boyfriend is a major violation of the girl code.

She flips onto her side. “Now it’s making more sense. I get why you felt guilty when she was dating him, but they ended months ago. You have nothing to feel guilty about now. You share insane chemistry. Don’t deny yourself some fun. Send him a message.” She snags my cell off the coffee table and throws it to me. “Tell him yes. Do it now before you find some other reason to hold back. You deserve him.” Her eyes flash wickedly. “Youdeserve great sex. God knows that idiot Adrian didn’t satisfy you.”

“Truth,” I say, still a little hesitant.

“I’ll kick your ass if you don’t do it.” She eyes my hovering finger like she might chop it off if it doesn’t do the right thing.

“Okay. Here goes nothing.” I tap out a quick message to Cohen before eyeballing my bestie. “If this backfires, I’m totally blaming you.”

She cracks up laughing. “Girl. You’ll be toasting me at your wedding. Mark my words.”

Chapter Five

CASSIO/COHEN

“You look incredible,” I say when Irina shows up at the restaurant. I wanted to pick her up, but she refused. She’s not all in yet, but she’s here, and that’s a step in the right direction. She is stunning in a pretty pink dress that stops just below her knee. Her tempting legs are bare, and her petite feet are encased in a pair of silver peep-toe shoes. Matching silver jewelry adorns her neck, her wrist and her ears. Glossy hair falls in straight lines down her back.

“You look good too.” She casts a glance over my signature black shirt and pants combo, smiling as I hold the chair out for her.

She slips into the seat, and I reclaim mine, across the table.

“I haven’t been here before,” she professes, looking around the trendy restaurant-slash-cocktail-bar. “I like it.”

“Good.” I hand her a glass of champagne. “I thought you’d like something more casual.” Originally, I’d booked a Michelin-starred restaurant, but I want Irina to relax, and a stuffy place full of arrogant rich pricks didn’t seem like a good choice.

Hours pass as if they are seconds. The food is sublime, and the company is impeccable. Our conversation flows naturally,and the flirting is endless. We’re both finding little ways to touch one another, and if I don’t get to claim her soon, I’m liable to self-combust.

“Any dessert?” the server asks, ignoring my date and eye fucking me like she’s been doing all night.

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