kyde 3 face gradually <b>darkened</b><b>, </b>her lips pressed into a thin line. “You really hate me that much<b>? </b>
I <b>don’t </b><b>hate </b><b>you</b><b>, </b>Joshua réplied.
<b>“</b><b>Then </b><b>why </b><b>are </b>you being such a jerk to me?”
Joshua twirled the ring on his ring finger. “Because I can’t even be bothered to hate you.” He fixed his gaze on her. “Drop the cheap tricks. Any <b>man </b>wit taste wouldn’t give you a second nce myself included.”
Kylie had never been looked down upon like this. Back in Moranta, men always treated her like a princess.
And here was Joshua, showing her nothing but contempt. Her chest heaved with anger.
By now, Joshua had finished his cocktail and left. The bartender ced her drink in front of her–the one she’d ordered earlier.
Staring at the deep blue cocktail, Kylie clenched her fists. In a fit of rage<b>, </b>she grabbed the ss and took a swig, only to choke so badly that tears threatened to spill, nearly ruining her carefully applied eye makeup.
The bartender silently handed her a napkin. He’d warned her, but she wouldn’t listen.
After Kylie finished coughing, her phone rang. It was <b>a </b>call from Moranta. She answered, “What is it?<b>” </b>
“You’re in Rodunst?”
“Yes.”
“The organization has a job for you,” the man said. “It’s not urgent, so you can take your time nning. I’ve sent the details to your email.”
Kylie mumbled an acknowledgment and hung up.
What she was really looking forward to was tomorrow’s International Tech Forumworking event. She knew Shermaine and Joshua would be there, and she couldn’t wait for Joshua to see exactly which field this woman he looked down on was a legend in.
She was eager to see how his opinion of her would change. As for the mission, she’d put that aside for <b>now</b>.
When Joshua returned to the room, Shermaine had already showered and was wearing a pure white silk nightgown. Her hair was still damp and hanging
loose as she toweled it dry.
The moment Joshua walked in, Shermaine caught the faint smell of cigarettes and alcohol on him.
“You went to the bar upstairs?” she asked.
“Yeah,” Joshua said.
“Had a drink?”
“Just ordered <b>a </b>cocktail.”
Shermaine asked with interest, “Was it good?”
“It was.”
“Order me one.”
Joshua said he’d already ordered it and someone would bring it down shortly.
18:42: Mons
<b>seeing </b><b>that </b><b>Joshua </b>was <b>about </b><b>to </b>hit the <b>shower</b><b>, </b><b>she </b><b>said</b>, “Wait<b>, </b><b>let </b>me <b>change </b>and <b>get </b><b>out </b>of your way
<b>Joshua </b><b>swept </b><b>her </b>up in his arms andid her on the bed. “<b>Don’t </b><b>worry </b>about it. I’ve got thick skin.” He paused, then <b>added </b><b>with </b>a grin. Besides i <b>body’s </b>all <b>yours </b><b>to </b><b>look </b><b>at</b><b>, </b>Sheary.”
<b>Shermaine </b><b>pressed </b>her lips together. “I’m not looking.<b>” </b>
Joshua said nothing. He grabbed his pajamas and headed into the bathroom.
The sound of running water filled the room.
Through the windows, Shermaine could see his back and his long, powerful legs. Everything about himi radiated strength and temptation.
The drinks arrived soon after. She settled onto the couch and sipped slowly.
Shermaine and Joshua had a taste for hard liquor, and she had to admit, this her lips, still wanting more.
The drinks were strong and went straight to her head. She wanted more.
was exactly what she liked. When she finished the ss, Shermaine licked
So she grabbed the bottle of red wine that was already in the room, popped the cork, and kept <b>drinking</b>.
When Joshua saw the rare flush on her cheeks, like she’d been painted with rouge, he <b>thought </b>she looked especially beautiful. He dropped onto <b>the </b>couch beside her, tilted her chin up with his fingers to study her face, and then smiled. “You’re blushing.”
Shermaine had drunk about a third of the wine bottle. But even though she usually held her liquor well, she was starting to feel dizzy<i>. </i>
That cocktail had packed more of a punch than she’d expected. Combined with the wine, she found herself sinking into the couch, drowsy and heavy-
lidded.
“Carry me to bed,” Shermaine told Joshua.
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