Page 53 of Until It Was Real

“There was no way I could keep up with the bank payments and payments to Grigori unless I found a better paying job. When Eli offered me the job as his PA, I couldn’t say yes quick enough.”

“But your salary isn’t enough to pay off the creditors and Grigori?” Rhett asks.

I shrug. “If I don’t pay Grigori off fast enough, I’ll never get out from under the debt. He compounds the interest over and over again until you end up paying until your death.”

“I’ll pay off the debt.”

I whirl around. “You are not paying off my dead husband’s debt.”

“What if I loan you the money?”

“No, this is my mess to deal with.”

“No,” he growls. “This is your husband’s mess you got stuck with.”

“It doesn’t matter how you frame it. I’m the one responsible for paying.”

“Why? What’s wrong with letting someone help you?”

Because people who help you, think they own you. I can’t count the number of times Adam reminded me how I owed him since he let me move in with him when I was eighteen. I ignored him since I thought I loved him. I was a fool.

“I can handle this on my own.”

“But you’re not on your own.”

“Yes, I am.”

He palms my neck. “No, you’re not. You have me.”

I shove on his shoulders until he releases me. “I don’t have you. You’re my boss’s brother who I had sex with.”

He growls. “I’m more than Eli’s brother. I’m the man you’re involved with.”

I roll my eyes. “We’re not involved. We’re not in a relationship.”

“Why not?”

My head rears back. “What do you mean, why not? Because we’re not. Because you hate me. Because you’ve tried to have me fired. Because—”

My words are cut off when he slams his lips to mine. I wish I could say I resisted him. Shoved him away and stomped off. But I can’t.

I melt into Rhett. I sigh at the feel of his lips against mine. At his clean scent surrounding me, making me feel cherished and safe.

Safe?

I can’t trust a man. Look at what happened the last time I did. Good reminder. I shove him away and retreat a few steps.

Rhett sighs. “I admit I pushed you away because I knew you were hiding secrets, but you’re not hiding secrets from me anymore.”

“You don’t know everything about me.”

“I’ll learn as our relationship grows.”

I grit my teeth. “You’re not listening to me. We’re not in a relationship.”

He smirks. “Not yet. I’ll convince you to give me a chance.”

“No, you won’t. I’ve got a lot on my plate. I don’t have time for another thing.”

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