Vicious Seduction

24

CHAPTER 16 LINA Who the hell got married on New Year’s Day? The world was hung over and exhausted. No one wanted to get dressed up and sit through a boring-ass ceremony of two people who would probably just end up divorced. And when did you become a grumpy old shrew? Ouch. Okay, I deserved that. But this wedding business was seriously stressing me out. I’d gone through my wardrobe no less than a dozen times and still couldn’t decide what to wear. My mood had morphed from righteous indignation to something befitting a poisonous cactus—prickly and possibly deadly. I couldn’t believe Oran was making me meet his entire family one day after framing and blackmailing me into a fake engagement. Who did that? Oran Byrne, the most pigheaded, insufferable man I knew, that was who. He would be here any minute to pick me up, and I was still in my underwear. I’d already done my hair and makeup, but it was the wardrobe that got me. Nothing seemed to say strong, independent woman being held against her will by her not-so-real fiancé. Go figure. The wardrobe challenge was enough cause to have me running late, but holding up Oran’s schedule was also the best protest I had available to me. If he didn’t like it, he could hijack some other girl’s life. I lowered the dress I’d been holding up, my stare unseeing as I envisioned how easily Oran could charm the pants off any girl he wanted. The image soured my mood even further—not because of how easy it would be for him but because of the odd irritation it stirred in me. The feeling stunk of jealousy, which was the very last thing I should feel where Oran Byrne was concerned. By the time his knock sounded at the door, I was certifiably petulant. “You have to wait. I’m not ready,” I hollered through the door. “Open the door, Lina. I’m not waiting in the hall.” “I will when I’m dressed.” “I’ll give you to the count of three,” he called dryly. I couldn’t believe he was serious. What the hell did he plan to do? Break down the damn door? “Three.” I crossed my arms and mentally dared him to do his worst. “Two.” And he would most certainly be paying for the damages. “One.” I braced for him to burst through the door, my lips pursed tightly together, but the key turned in the lock, and the door opened with ease. I was so shocked that I forgot I was wearing nothing but a bra and panties. “How the hell do you have a key to my apartment?” Oran’s gaze licked down my body with ravenous hunger. “Maintenance,” he murmured distractedly. Realizing I was practically naked, I almost ran for the bathroom, but then my outrage took the reins and plotted a totally new course. Hands on my hips, I let a venomous smile twist my lips. “Like what you see?” His gaze tore from my body up to my icy stare, but he didn’t respond. “Good, because it’s never. Going. To. Happen.” I yanked a dress off the futon and strutted past him to the bathroom. I didn’t even look to see what I’d haphazardly chosen until I was alone behind the closed door. Black. Excellent. I slid on the expensive wool sheathe and took in my reflection. Elegant. Sophisticated. All business. It was perfect. I needed to select a pair of shoes but wasn’t ready to exit, so I sat on the toilet and started scrolling on my phone while rehearsing the scathing remarks I’d have for maintenance. Had he paid them off or just stolen the damn thing? There was no telling with him. Either way, I was pissed. The knock I’d been waiting for took longer than I’d expected. “I may not have the key to this one,” Oran said evenly, “but it would be easy enough to break down. Do I need to count to three?” What a pain in my ass. “I’m on the toilet.” Technically true. “Three.” “Two.” I jumped up and hurried to the door, swinging it wide open and glaring at my tormentor. “You…” I was too irritated to come up with a good insult. Oran smirked. “Me? I’m not the one being difficult.” “I can’t help it if you’re rushing me. These things take time, you know.” “Not for you, Lina,” he said in a velvet caress. “You’d be beautiful without even trying.” A few softly uttered words, and he’d sucked every bit of air out of the room. My lips parted then shut as if I were practicing my fish impersonation. Smooth, Lina. Real smooth. Unsure how I felt, I chose not to say anything and slid on the red heels closest to me. “Good girl. Now, let’s go. We’re already late.” Then the Neanderthal erased any kind thought I might have had with a resounding slap on my ass. I glared at him. “Try that again, and I’ll cut off one of your fingers.” “So long as it’s not this one.” He held up his hand and curled his middle finger as though signaling me closer. “I’ve been told it’s rather … skilled in certain situations.” I may have blushed, but at least I managed a comeback. “Women say all sorts of outrageous things to protect men’s fragile egos.” “There’s one way to know for sure.” He smirked, eyes hooded. “Let’s hope your prowess is better than your memory. I said it’s never happening, and I meant it.” I leaned back against the elevator wall opposite Oran and truly took him in for the first time that evening. His suit was impeccable. Black on black with no tie. His gray eyes ringed with thick black lashes were even more prominent, like shimmering diamonds set on a black velvet display. “Keep looking at me like that, and it will happen right there against that elevator wall.” The hint of warning in his gravelly words told me he wasn’t joking. A bowl of cotton sprouted in my mouth and sucked out every bit of moisture. I kept my lips sealed the rest of the way to the church.