Page 50 of My Dark Divine
He groans, exasperated. “You act like we’re seeing each other for the first time, Venetia. You order this stuff all the time.”
We’ve been to diners before—nothing like this, obviously. Those were business meetings with our dads and sometimes other important business sharks.
But I didn’t realize he had memorized what I ordered. “I only get it when I’m having one meal,” I correct. “I won’t be eating it now.”
“Why not?”
Because it’s inappropriate to have such a big appetite. A lady would always decline dessert.“I don’t… usually eat this much.”
“Usually,” he repeats, drawing out the word in a mocking tone. “But this morning, you will.”
Huffing in irritation, I slump back in my seat, folding my arms across my chest. I force myself to look away from him, focusing instead on the trees and bushes surrounding us.
What an arrogant prick.
“You had no right to attack the waiter,” I say through clenched teeth. “He was just doing his job?—”
“Oh, was he?” he taunts, lowering his voice. The fuckingattitudeoozing from him is something that needs to be studied. “Believe me, I can tell the difference between right and wrong. And when I say he was doing too much, trust me, he was doing toofuckingmuch, Venetia.”
I roll my eyes, realizing I’ve reached a dead end. “You’re giving me a headache.”
“Then don’t talk to me.”
“Stop looking at me.”
A low, mocking laugh rumbles from his chest. “How do you know I’m looking at you, huh?”
“Oh, those glasses don’t hide anything. I canfeelyour eyes on me.”
“You were using my fingers to get yourself off tonight. I think I deserve to look at you a little, don’t I?”
My mouth snaps shut immediately. Eyes dropping, I chew on the corner of my lip, silently praying for a waiter to come back. Ineed to eat, I need to drink, I need to do something to escape this man. He’s going to be the end of me.
“Look at you being shy.” His voice drips with seduction, sending a warm wave that grips my core. I clench my thighs, pressing a hand between them under the table, and squeeze my eyes shut, trying to stop the feeling from growing. “Adorable.”
Let him talk to himself like the madman he is. Iwon’ttake the bait.
Thank God, because just then, the waiter returns with a plate in hand. With an awkward smile, he sets down my carbonara. “The steak and the dessert will be right in a?—”
“Yeah, yeah, whatever,” West interrupts, reverting to his caveman persona. I can’t decide which version of him I dislike more—this one or the overly horny version.
“West!” I turn to the waiter, offering him a smile. “Thank you so much. We’ll be waiting.”
The poor guy nods and quickly retreats, while West leans in just as I prepare to focus on my meal. “I love it when you say my name like that,” he murmurs. “All angry and unyielding. It turns me on.”
Unimpressed, I twirl the creamy noodles around my fork and bring the hot food to my mouth. “Go jack off in the bathroom. I’m tired of your horny bullshit.”
“Oh, if you only knew,” he replies smugly. “I already did it once.”
Did he just admit he jerked off while thinking of me?
“Can you tell me who will be at the networking reception today?” I ask, swiftly changing the subject. I don’t want him to think I’m interested in whatever that was. Plus, I’m desperate to know whom I’ll have to tolerate tonight. “I need to be prepared.”
He sighs in frustration and sinks back into his chair. “Lots of idiots. I don’t remember half of them myself. One of the brokersis friends with Elijah Williams,” he adds with a laugh. “With that fucking moron, the night is bound to be fun.”
I swallow my food, my eyes widening in astonishment. Elijah Williams is a famous actor whose new film is set to premiere here in just a few days. “No way. His new movie?—”
“A piece of shit,” he cuts in, waving his hand dismissively. “MidnightfuckingMassacre. Some comedy filled with paranormal nonsense.”
