Page 77 of Hate You Forever (Hate 1)

Maybe I’ll kill Cohutta too. This is all his fault. When I told Marnix I’d come to the office party with him, the smug grin he gave me made me want to punch both him and Cohutta in the face. Marnix looked at me like he won the fight between us, but little does he know how much he’ll regret asking me to come tonight.

I won’t be some mute piece of arm candy, something pretty to just look at.

“You look beautiful.” Marnix’s deep voice filters through my ears as I come down the stairs to meet him. His compliment almost knocks me off my feet, but of course he’d think that, considering he got the last word on the dress I’m wearing.

“I don’t look like myself.” The dress I’m wearing is a tight, pale pink pleated dress with a high neckline, hugging my curves and stopping just below my knees. There’s an attached shoulder cape, making it look high fashion and way too expensive. I’ve paired it with matching pointed toe heels.

The dress is stunning; it’s just not me. It’s suffocating, and a reminder of being forced to wear something I didn’t pick myself.

“You still look good.” His eyes roam over where the dress clings to my body, darkening the longer he stares at me.

Clearing my throat, I get his attention back on my face. “Maybe next time I’ll pick your clothes for you. That could be fun.” I smirk, but his face drops into a deep scowl.

“Let’s go.” He ushers me toward the door. I take in his dark blue tailored suit with the deep blue tie and white shirt.

Why does he have to look so fucking hot in a suit? Why can’t he just be ugly?

“You look nice too,” I murmur. His brows wrinkle in shocked confusion before he playfully fakes concern.

“You feeling okay?”

“Was that a joke?” I chuckle. It’s weird how easily we can go from being at each other’s throats to joking. It’s a side of Marnix I rarely see, but one I like. The hot and cold between us is enough to give me whiplash though. He’s unpredictable—I never know what kind of attitude he’s going to have.

“I’m not incapable. You just bring out a different mood most times.” He quirks an eyebrow.

“Hmm, I seem to remember.” I dart my eyes down to his pants, wondering if I’ll see that impressive boner he tries to hide most times we fight.

“I meant anger.” His voice is flat, feigning nonchalance.

“Sure you did.”

He grunts as I pat him condescendingly on the chest. We step outside, walking toward the car. I glance around, realizing I don’t see the black car Rush usually drives me around in.

“Rush isn’t driving?” My eyes dart to Marnix’s hypnotizing blue ones. They harden as soon as I mention Rush. It’s the same look I saw after I ran into Rush the other night.

“No. I am.” His tone is angry, sounding slightly possessive.

“Isn’t that like breaking the rules?”

His head tilts. “The rules?”

“Yeah, the big ego, little dick rules. Thou shall not be seen driving thyself, to maintain rich asshole status.” I give him a shit-eating grin, knowing that really is the truth, with how these men seem to act.

Surprisingly, he returns a smile to me. An actual fucking smile just graced his lips because of something I said. I’d be lying if I said it didn’t make my knees a little weak. He looks so damn charming when he smiles.

“Now I’m curious what you think the other rules are,” he jokes.

“I’ll tell you in due time.” I give him a wink. “So where’s Rush?”

“You two best friends now?” he grunts out.

I shrug. “Considering you said we’d be spending a lot of time together, I figure it wouldn’t hurt to be friendly. Not everyone has to keep people at arm’s length like you seem to.”

“Friendly.” He repeats the word back to me, seeming to mull it over in his head. “He’ll be there, just watching in the background for security.”

“He won’t be with me?”

“You won’t need him. I’ll be with you.” Without another word, he opens the door to the Lamborghini, and I slip in while he rounds the hood, sliding behind the wheel. My body molds into the sleek leather seats, making me groan at the comfort. The interior is all black, with gold undertones lacing the crevices and edges. I don’t even want to know how much this type of vehicle costs.

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