“Oh, nothing much, though you can start by telling me what the fuck you think you’re doing?” Her eyes were narrowed as she faced me. The luggage was still at her side, and I could see her knuckles were white around the handle. Angelique may be putting on a great show of being an ice queen, but beneath the surface, something ugly was brewing. “Moving into my world, trying to take my man, my career…”
Her career? What was she talking about?
She looked over me again, her eyes appraising. She flicked her hand dismissively. “Sure, I suppose you’reprettyin a common kind of way. But whatever do you think he might see in you beyond that?”
“I think that’s something you’ll have to ask him,” I eventually managed to say. As answers go, it wasn’t terrible, and I silently congratulated myself for keeping it together.
“Oh, I intend to, darling,” she said lightly. “Just as soon as he gets home, and I remind him to take out the trash.”
I felt my jaw clench and I straightened my shoulders. “Funny, I was thinking of doing the same – unless you decide to leave before then?”
She gave an elegant snort, her eyes narrowing.
“Or are you planning to stay, Angelique?” I continued before she could come back with something cutting. “I’ll have to let Prince know we’re having company. Perhaps I could make up one of the guest rooms for you?”
“That won’t be necessary, sweetie,” she sneered back. “I’ll be quite happy in my regular room…with him.”
“You might find it a little cramped.” I forced a smile, praying it looked cruel and not terrified.
She snorted again. “Just how long do you think you can keep up this little charade…Sasha?” She rolled her eyes. “It is ‘Sasha’ right? Or should I really bother to remember? You’ll be gone before anybody needs to know who you are, and things will get back to normal.”
“I think you have a new normal now, Angelique. Or have you forgotten that you left Prince and found someone else?” I countered.
“Ah…so he’s told you, has he?” she replied. “Has he also told you I broke his heart?” She laughed lightly. “Although you would have guessed that by now. I mean, just look at me.”
“Precisely,” I said. “And that’s how you got yourself a new man. So why don’t you get back to him?” I injected confidence into my words, but deep down, doubt swirled. She was the reason I was here, after all. My contract had been designed so he could hurt her for hurting him. And it seemed to be working.
She gave an exaggerated sigh. “You’re right, I’ll admit it. I made a mistake. It might be hard to believe, but I’m only human. But I’m back now, so you can go. So…shoo.” She flicked her hand at me as if chasing away a fly, then sauntered over to the couch, slumping into it with an annoying amount of grace.
The nerve of the woman!
“Right,” I gritted out, “that’s enough! I’d like you to leave!”
She chuckled and draped a hand over the back, trailing manicured fingertips along the leather. “Let’s leave that to Prince to decide, shall we? I could give him a call. I’m certain he’d come running.”
“By all means, go ahead,” I snapped back. Then slowly, deliberately, dropped the sheet. Her eyes widened. “Of course, I should warn you that we have some little rules, Prince and me. And one of them is that I should be waiting naked for him when he walks through the door.” I held back my shoulders and let her get a good, long look at me. I knew I had nothing to be ashamed of – my body had always been my best asset. Aside from a faint set of fingerprints marring my left breast, it was pretty much flawless.
Angelique stiffened and attempted a scoff, but I could tell she was unsettled. Even as she glowered at me, I could see her eyes running over my body and assessing it.
“Really, darling, how long do you think that will last?” She gave another light laugh, but this time, I sensed it was forced.“He’ll fuck you till he’s bored with you and then come running back to me. I doubt it’ll take long. How many tricks could you possibly know?”
“Enough to keep him pretty damn satisfied,” I snapped back. “In fact, if I remember correctly, I’ve satisfied him right there, where you’re sitting.”
She shot up as if the seat was on fire, then glared at me as I aimed a slow smile at her.
“You may want to avoid that coffee table, too. And the kitchen counter. In fact, I don’t think there’s a surface in this apartment that he hasn’t fucked me on,” I continued, sweeping an arm expansively. Of course it was a lie, but I’d never let this bitch know that, and the gesture allowed me to let her get the full benefit of my bared breasts in all their glory.
Angelique’s top lip curled, and her eyes narrowed – as cruel as a snake. “That hardly surprises me, slut! You don’t think everyone knows what you are?”
I felt my blood run cold, and she laughed as she watched my expression freeze.
“Of course, darling. It’s hardly a secret now, is it? It’s all anyone can talk about. The whole world knows you’re a whore. You’ll never fit in among us. You’re not our kind, Sasha. Men like Prince don’t marry tramps like you. That’s what they need women like me for.”
“Get out,” I said beneath my breath, and she smiled sweetly at me.
“What was that, darling? Struck a nerve, did I?”
I could feel rage rise. And something else, but I shoved it down. My face felt cold, bloodless, my lips stiff.
