Gem returns with more wine, and Stellan starts asking her questions. He engages with her answers, talks to her about high school, even admits that he dropped out in tenth grade. “I wasn’t the best student in the world,” he admits.
“I find that hard to believe,” my sister says, laughing as she refills his glass. “I bet you had great grades.”
“When I decided to show up to class, but that was less and less often.”
“He’s a bad example,” I cut in. “Don’t get any ideas.”
“No ideas here. My path is already set. Besides, who wants to end up like him? Buying apartment buildings just to get closer to some random waitress?”
Stellan bursts out laughing. I pull back in alarm. Have I ever heard him laugh like that before? But he seems genuinely amused as Gem heads back into the kitchen and plates dinner.
I don’t know how it’s happening, but they’re getting along. They even joke back and forth. Gem makes jokes, and Stellan doesn’t seem to mind, which is mind-boggling.
I’ve never been more attracted to Stellan than I am right now.
After Gem’s shockingly good meal is done and the cheesecake is all but demolished, I find myself out in the hallway with Stellan while Gem insists on cleaning up. The charming smile and laughter are gone from his eyes. It’s like he morphs back into the hardened monster I’ve known and hated.
“I didn’t know you were capable of being human,” I say, leaning against the wall with my arms crossed.
He shrugs slightly. “I can turn it on when needed.”
“You were trying to win her over.”
“That’s what you wanted.”
“I know, but—” I hesitate, glancing back at the apartment. “She’s smart. Really smart. She’ll see through bullshit.”
“Who says that was all bullshit? Your sister’s a good kid.”
“I know that.” I let out a long breath. My heart patters quickly in my chest. “I just wasn’t sure you’d see it.”
He moves closer. His voice lowers. “I know what you think of me. You see a monster and a criminal whenever I’m around. But I can be more than that.”
“Yeah? You’re a good actor too?”
“I’m whatever you need me to be.” He touches my arm. I let his hand linger for a second too long before pulling back.
I have to remember. This is an arrangement. It’s not real. We’re not telling Gem that we’re in love—because we aren’t.
At best, this is mutually beneficial.
There’s physical attraction. I can’t deny it. All through dinner, I kept checking him out. Even now that he’s taking off his human mask, I still want this dark beast’s mouth on my neck and his hands on my hips. I want his body to pin mine to the wall. I want him to fuck me like the brute I know he is.
But instead, I slip away and open the door. “Thanks for coming. I appreciate it.”
“I’ll see you two on Monday.”
I sigh and glance upwards. God, I wish I had some excuse to make. But the truth is, that went more or less as planned.
Which means I’m screwed. “See you Monday,” I mutter and disappear back into the apartment, all those good feelings already evaporating to dust.
KIRA
“Holy crap, Kira, did you freaking see the size of this place?” Gem stares around with her mouth hanging open. She’s lit up like a firecracker as she wanders the halls of Stellan’s house. “It’s enormous! And look at all these old, original details? They’re beautiful.”
“Yeah, gorgeous.” I frown at the ancient crown molding and the hand-carved wooden banister. “Also probably a death trap.”
“No way. It’s been restored. Look at how everything shines.” She runs her fingers down an old grandfather clock resting in a corner. “I think this thing is at least a couple hundred years old. Look at the craftsmanship.”
