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“How er do you expect it to last?”

He shrugged laconically “Until I’m bored”

No Unpredictability made her anxious “You can’t expect me to put my life on hold indefinitely”

“Consider it a lesson against agreeing to open-ended contracts”

“But—” A panicky lued in her chest All she could think was how easily he had peeled away her layers of reserve last night She didn’t know if she could withstand further baring of her inner self

“What’s the problem? You said yourself you have no rent to pay or employer to report to Do you want me to say I’ll ensure that those details are looked after before we dissolve our association? Very well I can agree to that”

“That’s not—” She searched the hard angles of his face, cringing fro how his twisted brain worked that he could only see her as avaricious and self-serving, not scared out of her wits because she was drifting so far over her head “What did Victor do to you that you’re like this?” she breathed

The billowing silence told her she’d stepped over a line “My history with Van Eych is not up for discussion It has nothing to do with us You and I have a strong sexual connection that needs to run its course When it has, I’ll release you and the rest of the funds”

His words sent a zing of surprise all the way to the soles of her feet A strong sexual connection? “I thought I was paying for the sins of aunder the table

His cheeks hollowed “Nyet” He looked away, fiercely controlled e his mouth “There is no way for anyone to coreat”

He gave off vibes of such deep devastation, such intense pain, an unfaht at her He’d only brush her away, she reasoned, startled that the impulse touched her at all She wasn’t the affectionate sort