Read Loving War for Free Online Page B

like that,” I say in a clipped tone. “I realize it seems laughable to you because you own a chunk of Sterling Shore businesses, and you have investments in large New York companies, but this is a really important part of my life. Don’t spoil it by mocking me. Please go away.”
    Again, his smile only grows. “You seem to know a lot about me for someone who hates me.”
    He crosses his arms over his chest, watching me with that stupid grin. He needs to put on clothes before I do something stupid like kiss the bastard again. And he needs to get out of the bathroom. This space is too intimate, and my mouth is running before my mind can censor the words. I have to stop accidentally revealing too much.
    “Know your enemies,” I mumble.
    “You’re going to go that route? I’m not stupid, Tria. Be honest.”
    Honesty is not an option. I can’t tell him how mildly obsessed I’ve been with him. Not when he’s only ever looked at me like an annoyance.
    I need a therapist.
    “I’m not as self-absorbed as you are. So yes, I know what others do with their lives. Go. Away.” Insulting him instead of fueling his ego is a much better route than honesty.
    He shrugs while pushing off the counter, and heads out of the bathroom. That was easier than I thought it was going to be. Trying not to think about him putting his clothes back on, I strip and climb into the shower.
    The water shoots out, icing me down before warming up. I take my time getting the sweat and pool water to wash away. I really hate Kode Sterling right now. I might have been lonely and lost before sleeping with him, but now I’m lonely, lost, and confused.
    Cursing him, I cut the shower off and wrap up in a fresh towel. After using my last clean towel to wrap my hair up in, I head out of the bathroom… and again I’m stumbling to a halt while my eyes gape in disbelief.
    “You’re still here?” I groan.
    The blonde-haired devil on my bed gives me a lopsided grin that has my heart betraying me with a racing rhythm. He pats the bed beside him, winking at me, and I mutter a curse before walking over to my temporary dresser. Why is he still practically naked?
    “I think your room is actually better than my suite. It’s cozier.”
    “Then I’ll trade with you if it will get you to leave me alone,” I mumble absently while searching for something to put on.
    “You’re welcome to head up to my room. I’ll give you a five minute head start.”
    I toss a glare at him over my shoulder, and head back to the bathroom to dress in a pair of skimpy shorts and a midriff-showing tank top. If he wants to play this game, then let’s play. I’ll torture him the way he’s torturing me.
    After once again braiding my damp hair into twin pigtails and dressing, I head back in. When his eyes turn on me, his gaze heats, and I instantly regret the choice in wardrobe.
    “Come sit down. I don’t bite, Tria. Well, that’s a lie. But you like it when I bite.”
    My whole body turns about five shades of red, but I finally go to stand beside the bed.
    “Why are you doing this? You know this thing between us is twisted. Possibly psychotic. You’re an asshole. And you hate me.”
    I expect him to announce his master plan to use me for whatever sick reason. It’d be better than this guessing game.
    His dark smile sends shivers down my spine, and he tugs my hand until I’m falling on the bed very ungracefully. I quickly shuffle around to get away from that hard bulge he is shamelessly leaving on display, and I sit down on the bed at a semi-safe distance away from him, crossing my legs.
    “You hate me, too, but you still want me. So why the hell are you being such a pain in the ass about it?”
    That earns him an eye-roll. “Gee, keep talking like that, and I’ll throw myself at your feet,” I mutter dryly.
    He snickers softly before reaching over and running a finger down my leg. “I’m not exactly the sweet guy with Hallmark lines coming out my ass, Tria. Nothing new.