The Fine Print

Он – мое темное грозовое облако в разгар засухи, недооцененная красота, которая заставляет меня чувствовать себя такой же живой, как солнце или звезды.

Она божественна, в ней достаточно злобы, чтобы заставить грешника вроде меня молиться в преданности.

Он дьявол, Захра.
Это объясняет, почему Ева попалась на его уловки. Если бы дьявол выглядел хоть наполовину так же хорошо, как Роуэн, я бы тоже съела это чертово яблоко. К черту последствия.

Я не уверена, что, черт возьми, произошло, но я спрятала наш поцелуй в папке «Никогда не думай об этом снова, если дорожишь своей жизнью», расположенной в самом темном уголке моего мозга. Прямо рядом с категориями «Тупое дерьмо, которое я сделала пьяной» и «Фотографии членов».

Любовь действительно делает людей беспомощными, но только потому, что они добровольно принимают ее. Потому что любить кого-то другого означает доверять ему настолько, чтобы не злоупотреблять властью, которую он имеет над тобой.

— Ты делаешь все это из-за девушки?
— Нет. Я делаю это, потому что мне нравится, кем я стремлюсь быть, когда я с этой девушкой.

My eyes lock on Rowan’s. Heat blooms in my stomach, spreading like wildfire across my skin from one look.

Am I coming down with a fever? I knew that sniffling kid at my station yesterday didn’t have allergies.

“This is the twenty-first century. You might be my boss but I won’t let you tell me what to do.”

“That in itself is a contradiction.”

“Problem?” I grind out with clenched teeth.

She doesn’t even flinch. “No.”

“You’ve reviewed the same page twice already.”

She tilts her head and looks at me in a way that makes the hair on the back of my neck rise. “I’m flattered you’ve been paying such close attention to me.”

“Will I be your best man? Before you decide, think about it. Rowan wouldn’t know the first thing about planning a bachelor party. He considers puffing cigars at your house a good time.”

“That’s because it is a good time.”

“Think about it. I’m talking Vegas. Buffets. Strip clubs. Casinos.” Cal ticks off each of his fingers.

“If you’re trying to sell me on this, you lost me at Vegas.”

“Do you mind putting away your weapon before I start speaking?” His eyes narrow at the stapler.

“Is the big bad Mr. Kane afraid of a little stapler?” I click it a few times in his direction. The staples fly in the air before landing a few inches from my ballet flats.

“I wouldn’t trust you with bubble wrap, let alone a stapler.”

“You’re right. That choking hazard warning should be taken more seriously.”

Of course I’m attracted to my arrogant boss who lacks any sort of people skills. This has to be some cruel joke on me after everything I’ve been through. Maybe there is some kind of chemical imbalance in my body or gravitational pull toward assholes like Rowan.

What if jerks are my kink?

Well, at least it explains your unhealthy obsession with Mr. Darcy.

“You better have a massive dick to back up that attitude or else people will be mighty disappointed.”

“Care to bring out a ruler and test your theory?”

“I left my magnifying glass at home, so maybe tomorrow.”

I’m not sure if he wants to choke me, fire me, or fuck me into submission. “Are you always this impossible?”

“I don’t know. Are you always this much of an asshole?”

He’s the Devil, Zahra.

Well, that explains why Eve fell for his tricks. If the Devil looked half as good as Rowan, I’d eat the damn apple, too. Screw the consequences.

“Take a breath. I’m not in the mood to call an ambulance when you pass out and crack your head open.”

“How dare I consider for a second that you would catch me before that happens.”

“That requires caring and I’m fresh out of fucks to give.”

He was right after all when he said talent doesn’t disappear—passion does.

Zahra: Why? Did you miss me?

My response is instantaneous.

Me: No.

Zahra: Damn.

Zahra: Do you even have a heart?

Me: I don’t suffer from that kind of affliction.

Zahra: Who hurt you?

He walks with a sense of self-assuredness that screams I have a big dick and I know how to use it.

Don’t think about his dick.