Page 49 of The Protégé

Big mistake.

I wish there were a hole in the floor that could suck me in like a Black Hole, taking me anywhere but here.

I was angry, sad, but also determined to see this through.

“Don’t worry. I keep my word. I’ll do my job and you won’t ever see me again. Make sure you cleanthatoff, Mr. Reimann.” I gestured to the cum on his pants. “It’d be awkward when your next test subject shows up.”

He glanced down at his pants, looked back at me, turned, and disappeared from view.

I almost expected him to toss money my way as a gesture of gratitude for falling into his trap! What had I gotten myself into? I was a fucking test, like some kind of sick game billionaires played with women.

All the feelings of unworthiness surfaced, reminding me of why Liam had broken up with me. Tears blurred my eyes, and as much as I tried to prevent myself from crying, I couldn’t. The tears streamed down my face as I made my way to my so-called office and slammed the door shut.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

ORION

What the fuckhad I done? I dropped into my office chair and blew out a breath, and heard her door slam.

Wonderful. Just wonderful.

Tension throbbed in my temple. I stalked over to the minibar, poured myself two fingers of whiskey, and downed it, letting it burn my throat.

Fuck.

This wasn’t the outcome I’d envisioned. I’d started the day intending to give her a snapshot of why I’d hired her. But when she was near me, my desire for her rose above everything else. I became a new person beside her.

I didn’t like it. Who was this man who wanted a woman so desperately?

A man who hasn’t been with a woman in months.

I shouldn’t have allowed things to go as far as they did. But dammit, I loved the way her lips molded to mine. The way she kissed me back with the same ferocity.

Needing fresh air, I walked out to the balcony and inhaled a deep breath. I gripped the railing, curling my fingers around ituntil my knuckles whitened. What should I do with her? She had me in knots. As much as I’d like to blame her for my problem, I couldn’t. She was an innocent woman standing in the danger zone of a confused man.

Don’t hurt her.

Don’t fuck up.

I hated talking to myself, especially when my inner voice reprimanded me. I glanced down at the city street, letting the chaos distract me from my misery.

What do I want?

Elena.

What’s stopping me?

Nothing.

So why did I feel like shit?

Let the past go.

I closed my eyes at that statement. How many times had I wanted to do that? And how many times had I failed? Too many.

But I’d never experienced a pull as powerful as I did with Elena. Letting go of the past would mean I’d abandoned Kate, right? I’d failed her. I should’ve been with her the day she died. But I was elsewhere . . .

It was a mistake to bring Elenahere. No employee had beenon this floor except Ralph. She did not know the power she held over me.

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