Page 26 of Heart Sick Hate

I’m not sure if he’s repeating it to convince me or himself, but his Adam’s apple bobs with a thick swallow.

“I’m not here to explain myself to you. You can believe me or not, it doesn’t really matter.” I take a step into the living room, my feet itching to run but moving in his direction anyway. “I just need to know if you’ll do it.”

“Did my brother turn you down or something?” He looks almost angry at his question.

I shake my head. “Didn’t ask him.”

“So instead of the obvious option—asking your dick-of-a-boyfriend—you show up at his brother’s apartment?”

Crew almost sounds genuinely curious.

I nod in answer. “Yes.”

“But you hate me.”

“Exactly. We hate each other.” At least if he’s moved away from theshe’s a virginline of questioning, he might actually be considering it. “And because of that, there’s no risk either of us will get attached. Besides, you have no morals, and I swear you hate your brother half the time. There are plenty of reasons for you to do this. Take your pick.”

The bastard smirks and his energy closes in on me without him so much as having to take a step. Instead, he takes up all the space in this room with one look.

“That still doesn’t explain you showing up on my doorstep asking me to take your virginity, Echo.”

Crew usually avoids calling me by my name, which is how I know he’s being serious.

“Why do you care?” I try to brush off his question. “It’s just my virginity.”

“Thatiswhy. It’s yourvirginity.” The word comes out through gritted teeth, and I don’t know who he’s mad at—me for offering it up or him for considering it.

“Is it supposed to matter?” I challenge. “Is that what you’re worried about? Trust me, I’m not holding onto it for the reasons you probably think I am.”

“Then shouldn’t you be giving it to my brother?” He spits the words like the thought of them makes him sick.

“Probably,” I agree. “But if he’s going to have his fun before we get married, then shouldn’t I be allowed to have mine? He’s not walking into this a virgin you know. He’s off screwing someone right now.”

Storm clouds brew in Crew’s eyes, and I realize Rhett and I might have been faking our relationship better than I thought because he looks genuinely shocked by my comment.

“It’s fine. We have… an understanding.”

My reassurance does nothing to relax Crew’s shoulders, so I dig deeper.

“You don’t know the arrangement between me and Rhett, so I get it sounds like I’m being irrational.” I roll my shoulders back. “We made a promise, and we’re going to keep it regardless. But he isn’t my husband yet, and I’m not his wife. I know how you feel about me, Crew, you hate me, and I annoy you. And I don’t particularly like you either. But I trust you with this. I know you well enough to know you’ll keep it between us.”

He doesn’t so much asflinch.

“Besides…” My cheeks heat as I remember what he said at the fight tonight. “You’ve got the experience, so I know you’ll make it worth it.”

I swallow hard. The idea of Crew touching me sets my skin on fire—makes my throat sandpaper. While the thought of anyone else makes me cringe.

“I know I don’t have experience myself, but sex is sex, right?” I shake my head, and something about that sentence makes his entire demeanor tense. “I’m asking as a friend—or enemy—or whatever we are. I don’t want to get married a virgin. So are you really going to suddenly grow morals or are you going to help me out and ruin the last bit of good I’ve got left?”

My rant should be enough to send any sane person running. But this is Crew Kingsley, and he’s far from sane. If anything, his gray eyes heat with the inferno building inside him. Amusement lights his smirk up in the most devious way.

There’s a reason I came to Crew with this—apart from my body’s annoying reaction to his. I hate him enough that I won’t grow feelings, and he’s hopefully twisted enough to take me up on this offer.

Finally, Crew stands, walking across the room. Stopping close enough that his campfire scent heats me to the core.

He brushes my hair behind my ear, ever so slowly trailing his finger along the side of my throat. With anyone else it would be sweet, but with him, it’s almost a threat.

“I’m only going to say this once, Echo.” He pauses his fingers on my pulse, before dropping his hand. “Youshould give your virginity to someone who cares about you. Because as annoying as you are, you deserve it. And I won’t be sweet like your preacher boy.”

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