Page 47 of Virtue & Vengeance

“But the room was beautiful. Oh, and the food was the best.”

He chuckled, the deep sound resonating into my center.

“Yeah, well, you deserve the best always.”

Then he worked his fingertips into my hair and pulled out the pins. My hair fell around my shoulders, sending chills across my flesh.

I sighed, enjoying the feel of his fingers on my scalp.

“You’ve been amazing tonight, Zander. I wish every night were this perfect with you,” I said, pressing my palms into his chest and working them up to his neck.

He stiffened.

“Wait.” He stopped my hands from moving up his chest and turned away. “I think you’re confused. I’m not a good guy, Eden. I’m not going to whisk you off like this is some goddamn fairytale. I’ve done a lot of shit I’m not proud of, and beyond a good fuck, I don’t plan on taking this any further.”

His turn in attitude sent me reeling.

One second the moment was warm and succulent.

His large, hot hands were in my hair, sending waves of goosebumps along my flesh.

And the next second, he was lashing out at me.

With the champagne swimming through my veins and giving me courage, I opened my mouth and said precisely what I wanted to without regard for the next day.

“What if that’s not good enough for me? What if I want more than a good fuck from you, Zander?”

He paused, his eyes scanning my face as some strange emotion flickered in his steely gaze.

He shook his head and settled his hands on his hips.

“Tough shit, angel. I don’t have anything else to give.”

He was lying.

There was so much more to him than the little bits he showed me.

I wanted it all, and I had a feeling he did, too.

Otherwise, why was he so protective over me?

Sure, he could use the excuse that he did it because I was Kennedy’s niece, but Zander was loaded. He could have easily hired someone to keep an eye on me.

There was a reason he kept showing up—a reason he was always near me—and I had a feeling his reasons were similar to my own.

“I don’t believe that,” I said. “I don’t believe you, Zander. I think you want more. You’re just afraid to admit it.”

His eyes went wide briefly before his confidence slipped over his expression like a mask.

“Admit what exactly?”

“Admit that you’re not this hard ass that you want everyone to believe you are. Admit that you might actually have real feelings for me.”

His jaw ticked before he quickly looked away and began to chuckle darkly.

“I have feelings for your pussy, angel. If that counts, then I’ll admit it all damn day long.”

More lies.

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