Page 32 of The Prodigal

Stubborn is not attractive—especially when it inconveniences me.

“Has no one told you that you are the company you keep?” I flash her a dangerous look. “A pretty little princess like you should be careful with whom she aligns herself.”

“I’m no pretty princess.”

I flash her a devious smile. “No, you certainly are not. You’re a good girl knocking at the Tree of Knowledge.”

She swallows, and I can finally see realization setting in. No matter what she wants to believe, I’m not a good guy. Maybe I once was, but not anymore. “Shall I remind you, princess, how that story ended?”

Straightening her spine, Eden holds my gaze. “You’re no snake, and I’m no Eve. Our story is not the same.”

Oh, how wrong she is.

In the Garden of Eden, the most honest of men are tempted by Eve’s kindness and beauty. But men like me can’t be tempted because nothing tempts us. If we want something, we take it—consequences be damned.

Eden is my Eve.

She’s the lush-filled garden blooming with infinite promises and beauty. She’s the future, offering me an apple of hope.

But I’m no Adam.

I won’t be swayed.

Because the knowledge she seeks, I already have.

I know how the story ends. Not because the deviltrickedme.

But because the devilraisedme.

“We’ll see about that,” I challenge, hoping to scare some sense into her. This woman is beyond aggravating. She’s determined to be disappointed. I’m not the hero she wants to believe I am, and if she continues down this path and “helps” me with fulfilling my revenge, she won’t just be disappointed.

She’ll be devastated.

For the Tree of Knowledge will bear more truth than Eden can handle.

I’m doing her a favor.

I’m keeping her eyes closed.

The truth will not set her free.

Instead, her truth will damn her—just like it did me.

“I’m not asking your permission.” She huffs, propping her hands on her hips.

It makes me smile. “Oh, you’re not, are you?”

She meets my gaze in a daring challenge. “No. I’m not. You saved me, and I am going to pay you back.”

“By being my research assistant?”

“Yes. And you’re going to agree.”

If I wasn’t so turned on right now with her boldness, I would threaten her into backing down. But call me reckless, I actually want to see how far she’ll go.

“Give me one good reason I should let you in on my revenge. Convince me you’re not just going to use the information against me and turn me into the cops.”

She bites her lip, and I have to adjust the front of my pants to accommodate the swelling.

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