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Chapter 1

"Sophie, please, why are you doing this? You know I love you"

"Love?" I shrilled, willing my voice not to shake "You dare call this love?" After everything we had been through together, I could hardly believe he would choose to treat nificant pieces

He sighed heavily, raking a hand through the long coal-black locks that always fell across his forehead I loved running h that hair—the silky curls that captured my attention when I first laid eyes on hiood looks had every girl in a tizzy that night when he showed up alone and yet, he had set his sights onas fine wine, I becaer succu, this isa brash step toward me

I backed away, raising my hands to , then his touch was like avoice tre my demand much less resolute

He continued forward, stalking me like I was his prey"My love, it's not what you think"

Glaring at hi hi actions to oing on right in front of my eyes?

"Are you kidding me? Clinton cheated on Sophie?" Alec's strident voice broke the silence in the roo me practically leap from my chair

My laptop would have launched into the air if not for my quick reflexes "Holy shit, don't sneak up on me like that! I didn't even hear you coto beat out ofup at Alec, who looked truly pissed

"Why would Clinton cheat on her?" Alec reached overhis hand between h my Word document

I swatted hi inside its shell "Hey, just because you live here doesn't give you special privileges You know I don't like anyone to read ress until I' the save button and closing the file before he could get any more of a sneak peek

I placed the co The effects of several hours of being slumped overjoint of ht you had lab all day today?" I asked, stifling a yahich only further aggravated the crick in my neck

"I did It ended over an hour ago," he said, placing his hands on the back ofshoulders

"Oh-h-h that feels good," I ive him better access to ht hours"

"I still don't kno you do it I can't sit in a chair for et up and move around Your neck is stiff as a board"

"H what you love Besides, the reward is worth it" He continued rubbing in slow smooth circles across my shoulders The warainst lected to feed yourself today?" We both already knew the answer to his question He obviously didn't understand the power of being in a writing groove You don't just stop for so so well "I nibbled here and there," I said, knowing my little white lie would never pass his bullshit detector, but I enjoyed teasing him

"Uh-huh Lucky for you, I brought hoh, I' a perfectly good relationship," he gru his hands from my neck

It was cute that he got so wrapped up inbehind his he'd placed on the counter I inhaled deeply with appreciation—Chinese food My favorite I reached for the bag to extract an eggroll, but Alec snatched it away before I could grab the deep-fried delicacy

"Hey, not cool," I co that he now held above his head

"I can't believe you let Clinton cheat on Sophie How could you do that?" He kept the bag out of reach, waiting for an explanation, but I re my arms over my chest He should have known by now that I could be stubborn too I orld-class at playing chicken One time when I was a child on vacation witha contest to see who could hold their breath the longest underwater I was so intent on winning that I had to be rescued by the lifeguard The best part was that not only did I win, but ot to eat dessert for dinner that night while they watched It was one of my finest ue if he thought I'd give in first

"Fine" He placed the bag of food on the counter before turning around to grab a couple of plates

"And still undefeated," I whispered, s

"What?"