“You think this is any easier for me?” His gaze turned fierce. A nerve pulsed furiously in his jaw.
“I don’t see why it’s difficult. I'm nothing to you. Just a tool for what you need. So don’t pretend otherwise. I made a promise, and I’ll get it done. I’ll get you your Stone”—she pulled in a trembling breath, stiffened her spine with resolve—“but I don’t want you with me any longer. Ask another. North, Aerén—I don’t care who, to take your place.”
“Don’t push me, Eve.”
“You think I pushed you to do this?” Outrage flooded her. “I didn’t force you into anything, not now, certainly not in the groves of Exilum. I wishthatnever happened. I wish–I wish fate had chosen differently for me.”
She turned away and realized she’d stopped beside his car. Her gaze dropped, and she stared dully at her feet. Tears swam in her eyes. Her blue nail polish wavered like dark holes, waiting to suck her into an abyss.
God, please don’t let me break down in front of him.
Reynner opened the door for her, and she slid inside. Slamming it shut, he headed to the other side, his expression dark and frustrated. Pulling her gaze away, Eve brushed at her tears and dropped her stilettoes to the floorboard as he got in and shut the door.
The other woman’s perfume overrode the smell of the leather seats. Eve closed her eyes. Just as well he didn’t want a relationship with her. He would destroy her every time he came back with that scent on him. He may not trust women, but he certainly seemed to wantthatone.
Christ, what was she thinking? She could never hope to compete with someone who looked that beautiful. And had perfect hands.
Eve slid hers under her thighs.
***
The moment Reynner parked the car outside her apartment building, Eve reached for the door, wanting to disappear into the sanctuary of her room. He caught her arm. “Eve, wait—”
She snatched her arm away. “Don’t touch me. Not after you’ve been with her. I had to smell her on you the entire trip trapped in this car—that was her, wasn't it?” God, how much more pathetic could she get? She shook her head. “No, don’t answer. It’s none of my business.”
Before she burst into tears and disgraced herself further, Eve turned blindly for the door. Only she didn’t get far.
“Don’t touch you?”He grasped her arm again. “I had to watch every fucking male in there touch you.”
“So that was your payback? To kiss her in front of the entire gallery?”
“Dammit, I didn’t kiss her—it’s not what you think.”
“I don’t care.” She yanked free. “We’re done.”
A furious growl echoed through the interior of the car. He hauled her onto his lap and captured her lips in a mind-shattering kiss. She barely registered her thigh hitting the gears, her elbow banging against the steering wheel, or the pain shooting up her knee and arm.
Eve pushed at his chest, tried to free her mouth, because if she didn’t, she’d be begging him to love her. She didn’t want to sink any lower than she already had.
But there was no place for her to move, trapped between Reynner’s body and the steering wheel. He ripped off her gloves, tossing them both over his shoulder then shackled her wrists in one hand.
“Why are you doing this?” Her chest heaved from her struggles, her bitterness spilling free.
His anger died, tortured blue eyes met hers. “Because if I don’t, Eve, I’m afraid of what I’ll do. If you send me away like this…” He inhaled a ragged breath. “I tore down half of Hell and that was just to break free. Without you, I’ll do far worse.”
She closed her eyes, wanting to believe but too scared to hope. Reynner had so much darkness in his soul. It was clear he felt the physical connection of their bond, why he couldn’t keep away, but would he ever let himself feel deeper emotions for her? Ever trust her?
She would accept nothing less than his love, and that brought her right back to her current situation.
His finger brushed her nipple. Her eyes snapped open. His intense gaze sent shivers down her spine. Slowly, he pushed up the hem of her dress and his palm slid along her bare thigh.
“Don’t,” she pleaded, unable to stop his stroking hand with both of hers trapped. His caressing slowed.
“You don’t want me?”
“Every time I allow myself to care, I hurt more later. I’ve accepted that you don’t feel the same way I do—”
“Don’t feel the same way?” A tormented sound escaped him. “Without you, I cannot breathe.”
