Page 73 of Hate So Deep
Am I a masochist or just really fucking stupid?
Whatever.Stop being a fucking baby, Lauren. You don’t need Dirk fucking Evans. You need a lobotomy.
Resolved, I push to my feet as none other than Dirk says behind me, “Hiding again?”
How long has he been standing there?
As soon as he shuts the door behind him, I mutter, “Yes, be sure to close the door. We wouldn’t want Colt to find out our dirty little secret.”
Although his brows flicker, he doesn’t comment, and despite how fucking sexy he looks in all black, I’m immune to hishandsome facade as I turn away and say to the wall, “What do you want?”
“Everyone’s loading up. Let’s go.”
Really? Asshole.
The reception area is a mile down the road at a pretty little spot on the water. However, every particle of my being is telling me to skip it, which is why I was going to power through until this jerk showed up.
“No, I’m good here,” I say, ignoring the warning in his eyes.
“I’m not asking,” he says, stepping away from the wall. “Let’s go.”
“Are you for real right now?” I snap as he pulls his bow tie loose and stops before me.
Of course, his spicy cologne invades my senses.Stand strong, Lala. Stand fucking strong.
It’s not an easy task though because my knees weaken when his eyes travel over the black satin dress I chose for the day. In four-inch heels, my legs look longer. The strapless ensemble creates a snug fit for my breasts, and I particularly like the keyhole in the bodice that hints at my cleavage.
Maybe he does too because his nostrils flare on the way back up before he says, “Now.”
Every particle of my being yearns to step into his arms, but I can’t do this anymore. If this is a game, he won, and I’m fucking done.
“No,” I say, shaking my head.
“Get your ass out the door or I’ll do it for you.”
“Why?” Although I’m completely annoyed, it’s an honest question. I don’t understandwhyhe cares whether I stay or go.
“You don’t want to be alone?” he growls, pointing at the door. “Those people are your fucking family, baby girl.”
Oh, he’s good. So much so, that I falter as I gaze blindly at the door.
Am I wrong? Was Kayla lying?
But there was so much truth to what she revealed. He’s told me over and over to back off and I never listened. Hearing Kayla spew those hurtful words felt like the ultimate betrayal, which is why I bow my head and mutter, “Let's not pretend anymore.”
It's time to rip the band aid off.
“Pretend what?” he asks, his brows twitching.
Waving my icy fingers between us, I say, “Your dirty little doll doesn’t want to play anymore, Dirk.”
The chill that pervades the room slides down my spine like ice as he rocks back on his heels, those dark eyes assessing…always freaking assessing.
My bones feel brittle as I step back. One wrong move could break them into little pieces along with my rapidly beating heart.
Unfortunately, Dirk follows his gaze boring into me and only when we’re at the wall and his chest brushes mine does he say, “That right?”
“Yep,” I say, turning my head because there’s a darkness behind his eyes that actually scares me and I’m afraid to see more when he finally, truly annihilates me.
