He waved his hand dismissively. “Don't get offended if I don't take the words of a slut like you at face value.”
“How can Inotget offended?”
He ignored my words. “Do you think you’ll get money by marrying my brother? Was it the St-John name that attracted you? His flat in Chelsea? This house in Kensington?”
He let out a laugh. “Well, you're in for disappointment. The company, the money, it's all mine, doll, and my brother will get what I'm willing to give him.”
Ah, now I knew why Ethan never mentioned his brother—the man was a first class dick.
“I’ll go tell him now who he’s engaged to.”
He turned around and I reached for him, grabbing his wrist. “No, please let me tell him. You owe…”
He removed his arm from my grip, adjusting his sleeve. “I don’t owe you fuck.”
“No, you don’t, but do it for Ethan. Let me talk to him. Don't do this tonight, not like that. I’ll tell him, I swear.”
He eyed me critically. “I will tell him, no matter what.”
I nodded eagerly. “No, I get that, and you can, but let me speak with him first. Give him that much.”
“If you try to lie to him…” he trailed off, his voice carrying a warning that made me shiver. “I know my brother doesn’t love me much but don’t try to brainwash him. I can convince him, you know?” His mouth tipped up in a mocking grin. “I can describe in perfect detail the little birthmark you have on your inner thigh. You know the one.” His eyes darkened a little and if I didn’t know how angry he was, I would have thought it was still some remaining desire. “The small one shaped like a star so close to your pussy.”
I blushed deeply. Ethan didn’t know about that birthmark; actually, I didn’t think any of my boyfriends did. No one had even gone down on me before and maybe it had been for the best. I hadn’t known what I was missing.
“No need to blush, drop the act—I know what you are now.”
I opened my mouth to correct him but shook my head. I didn’t owe him a thing and he was too lost in his own self-righteousness to listen to anything I might have to say.
He looked down at his watch and let out a huff of frustration. “I’m giving you four weeks. It should be enough time to break his heart as gently as you think you can.” He snorted. “I’m not sure how finding out your woman is a cheat could ever go down well, but…” He shrugged. “I’m going back to the States tomorrow.”
I was about to ask him if it was legit this time or if he was lying like he’d done the previous night but he was angry enough as it was.
“I’ll be back for the general assembly then.” He raised a finger at me. “That’s much more consideration than you deserve, much more consideration than you gave my brother.”
I nodded, letting out a huff of relief.
“Now leave, I’ve got to take a piss.”
I grimaced at his crudeness.
“Unless you want to get on your knees and suck my dick again.” His eyes were challenging, his smile mocking.
He was the worst type of man there was, condescending, entitled, twisted. Then why did I feel my knees buckle with my desire to please him again?
Fuck, I was broken.
I shook my head vehemently and he opened the door, pushing me outside unceremoniously with a cold laugh before closing and locking the door behind him.
I took a few steps down the corridor and rested my back against the wall just before I rounded the corner to go downstairs. I closed my eyes, taking a couple of deep breaths, trying to regain a composure I wasn’t sure I could find.
I imagined myself on the beach, the white sand, the gentle waves wetting my toes.
A hand on my shoulder startled me and I opened my eyes to meet Ethan’s very concerned hazel orbs. How had I missed that? How had I missed the similarity of their eyes?
“You okay?”
I nodded. “Yes. It’s just…” Just what?