“I mean, you know I’m no math whiz. But the last I checked,billionhad ten.”
“I get eleven when I turn thirty.”
I almost choked on my margarita. He couldn’t possibly mean eleven billion dollars…? What kind of birthday gift was that? “Eleven… million?”
“Eleven digits,” he said, sipping his drink. “No need to get tacky with exact numbers.”
“Said the man who knows exactly how much I make.”
He studied me for a moment. Then he said simply, “Okay. I inherit thirteen billion when I turn thirty. That includes partnership in the company. And most of what my family owns. I’m the sole heir, so, it’s basically all mine.”
He got… thirteen billion dollars… simply for turning thirty?
I tried to hide my shock and awe, but come on.
“How nice for you,” I said. “I’m sure it’ll be some birthday party.”
“I’m sure.”
“Send me an invite, won’t you? I’d love to see how the point-zero-zero-zero-zero-one-percent live.”
His lips drew up slightly, but it wasn’t a smile. Did the man even know how to smile? “Same as you. We just don’t wait in line nearly as often.”
“I imagine you don’t wait for much.”
“Why would I? Waiting sucks.”
“Doesn’t it, though. Sure would be swell if I didn’t have to wait around to find out if my job is still mine.”
“It’s yours,” he said.
I should’ve been glad to hear it. But Jesus Christ, I hated that he had the power to say that to me. The power to decide, one way or another.
“As long as you don’t cross any lines,” he added, like he just couldn’t leave it at that.
“Lines?” I said. “Like what lines?”
His ice-potion eyes held mine in challenge. “Like slapping me again.”
And here we go.This, again.
“Why would I slap you? You’re never kissing me again, right?”
He stared at me. He didn’t look away. He didn’t even blink.
Maybe demons didn’t need to.
He didn’t say anything.
I took a sip of my drink, just trying to stay cool as he stared me down. Why did I wear this wool-and-leather dress? It was hot in here.
Why didn’t he look uncomfortably warm?
He just looked forged in ice, as usual.
And why the hell did he keep bringing that nightmare up? He wanted me to relive it or something? I’d already relived it enough.
I’d probably never forget the way he cornered me and laid one on me like a boss, and I let him. For just a few terrible seconds… it was one of the most confusing, heartrending, regrettable, and weirdly thrilling moments of my life.
