Page 75 of Ruthless Legacy

She smiles back at me, but it’s a sad smile. “You deserve love, Eliza. You might have this hard-shell exterior, but you’re loyal and caring and you’d do anything for those in your inner circle. You have a big heart that is capable of a life-long, deep burning love.”

I roll my eyes and throw a sweet at her. “Okay, enough with the deep shit. Let’s concentrate on drooling over our vampire boys. You can keep Stefan and I’ll keep Damon.”

“Deal.” she grins as she picks up her bowl and we return our attention to the screen.

I should have known they’d find us. Our peace only lasts another twenty minutes when the door opens, and Rafe sticks his head in and looks at the screen.

“Not this shit again, Vee,” he groans and shakes his head at her. He pushes the door open wider and comes and drops himself down in the seat beside her. Reaching into her bowl, he takes a handful of popcorn before looking over at me. “Does Arch know you’re here?”

I frown, pausing my hand that is mid-way to my mouth and full of peanuts. “No. He’s not my fucking keeper.”

Rafe chuckles to himself and returns his attention to Verity’s bowl. “I never understood your obsession with sweet. Salty is the best.”

“Actually, salty with a bit of sweet is the best,” I add, as I chuck a peanut in the air and capture it in my mouth.

“Can you do any other tricks with that mouth?”

I jump at the sound of his voice and turn to find him leaning in the doorway. He has a five o’clock shadow today and his hair is a little unruly. He’s wearing shorts and a t-shirt that clings to his biceps. Why did he have to look so flipping edible all the time?

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” I snipe, pulling my greedy eyes away from him and back on the screen.

“Ready for tonight then, ladies?” Seb asks us with a waggle of his eyebrows.

I groan. Did he have to remind me? Tonight, is the charity gala ball and my official introduction to the well-to-do of Hawk Bay. “Can’t wait,” I reply, my tone hinting at my lack of excitement. It’s hard to believe we’ve been here two months already.

“Are you going to save your last dance for me, Little Red?” Seb asks me, winking my way and blowing me a kiss. “What?” he asks, looking over the top of my head to where Archer loiters in the doorway.

“I’ll have to check my dance card,” I tell him. “Think it might already be full.”

Seb snorts. “I don’t doubt it after that sex tape. They’ll be lining up to dance with you.”

Verity throws popcorn at him, and he holds his hands up to defend himself. “Hey, quit it, sis.”

“Do you have to remind her about the tape? I’ve spent all day trying to help her forget about her weird arse stalker and you ruin all my hard work.”

“I think I may have got myself a job today,” I announce, effectively changing the subject. I didn’t want to waste any more of my energy on my stalker today, because if I did, then he was succeeding in interfering with my life.

“A job?” Archer sniggers. “Why do you need a job, Scarlet? Is Wilbur not giving you enough of an allowance because I can have a word?”

I roll my eyes. What it is with everyone and their shock at me wanting to earn my own money. “Wilbur is more than generous, but I don’t like spending his money. Besides, I enjoy working. It gives me a purpose.”

Seb chuckles as he chews on a mouthful of popcorn. “I’m sure Archer can find something to give you a purpose if you ask him nicely.”

I shake my head and offer him a pointed stare. “Is everything about sex with you?”

“Who said I was talking about sex?” he asks holding his hands up in the air and grinning at me. Those hazel eyes of his sparkle with mischief and humour.

“Where’s the job?” Archer asks, striding further into the room and sitting casually down on the carpeted floor in front of us, resting his weight on his arms behind him.

“The Bay Café, and I haven’t even had an interview yet, so I might not even get it.”

“You think that is a good idea with your stalker out there?” Archer asks me, a frown marring his perfect face. I’m distracted with thoughts of kissing my way along his jawline. “Scarlet, are you listening?”

I blink and pull myself away from my lusty thoughts. “I can’t hide away. If I do, then I’m letting him or her win.”

“It’s definitely a guy,” Seb states with certainty. He sits down beside Archer and lies flat out on his back.

“How so?” Verity asks him, tilting her head in intrigue at his comment. I too turn my full attention on him, pulling my eyes away from the delectable specimen before me.

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