Chapter 1
You don’t own him
Sasha Ramirez
Istared in astonishment at the woman in the doorway. Angelique Delavigne. We’d never met, but of course, I knew who she was. Who didn’t? Her flawless face had stared back at me out of dozens of glossy magazines over the years. It was staring at me now, her icy beauty leaving me speechless.
“Nice look,” she said smoothly. The edge to her words was unmistakable, but I was still reeling from what she’d said a moment before.
I believe you have something that belongs to me.
I clutched the sheet closer, painfully aware of being naked under it.
“Prince isn’t here right now,” I finally said, wishing there was more weight to my voice. I sounded like a terrified little girl. It was hardly surprising. That was exactly how I felt.
An impeccable eyebrow rose, and she released my eyes and glanced down at where my hands were twisted into the sheet in a death grip. They locked onto the glittering gem on my left hand and then back up at my face. It occurred to me that this is what she felt belonged to her. This chunk of stone, and what it represented – perhaps more than the man who gave it to me. She advanced and I stepped aside hastily as she swept past me like royalty.
“Love what you’ve done to the place, darling,” she called over her shoulder as she strolled into the living area as if she owned it. My purse had been thrown onto a chair and my shoes were tossed carelessly nearby. Prince’s suit jacket was lying on the floor nearby, the expensive folds crumpled into a heap. A crimson scrap in the top pocket reminded me that I’d never retrieved my panties last night. I prayed she didn’t take a closer look.
“Of course, I’ll get this crap cleaned up as soon as I move back in,” she said breezily.
“Is there something I can help you with, Angelique?” I tried to keep my words measured. I wanted her to get the hell out.
“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.”
