Chapter 488
Edward leaned back, looking lazy and unbothered. “I’ve been through a marriage, but I think this is the first time I’ve ever felt my heart race. That night in the club’s private room, you were lying in my arms, totally unguarded…”
“Stop,” I blurted out, so embarrassed my toes curled. “Don’t say another word. I don’t want to hear it.”
But Edward didn’t care how embarrassed I was–he just kept talking. “Compared to how fierce you usually are, when you’re asleep, you look so peaceful, like a child…”
“Edward!” I grabbed the coffee cup from the table and splashed the coffee right in his face.
The coffee was warm, and droplets trickled down his handsome features.
As messy as he looked, he just pulled out a napkin, wiped the water away with a graceful swipe, and looked at me coolly. “You’re really mad, aren’t you? Well, so am I. You’re the first person I’ve ever liked but couldn’t have. That frustrates me too.”
My heart was pounding, my chest rising and falling. ‘Is this guy even real?’ I thought.
Edward’s brow furrowed, eyes locked on the coffee cup. “If you weren’t with Ryan right now, I’d find a way to make you choose me.”
I gave a cold laugh. “Too late for that.”
Edward shot me a determined look. “Ryan’s just getting his first taste of love–how long do you think that’ll last? Victoria, don’t get so worked up. You’re usually pretty rational, so use that smart brain of yours and think about what I could bring to the table.”
My heart gave a sudden jolt as I stared at him.
Edward casually straightened his damp shirt, stood up, and looked out at the lush greenery beyond the window. “I always thought feelings were just something extra, nothing that could mess with me. But then you showed up–your indifference, your calm, so vivid and real, it caught me off guard. I used to think every woman wanted to please me, to get close for money or desire.”
I couldn’t believe it. ‘This bastard actually likes me just because I ignore him?’ I thought.
‘Seriously, does he even realize how much trouble and awkwardness this kind of “liking” brings me?’ I wondered.
Seeing me stay silent, Edward turned to face me, arms crossed, towering over me like some emperor. “Honestly, you don’t need to treat feelings like they’re sacred. You can use them to boost your career, grow your wealth. Women can have options just like men. I’m not like Ryan, always talking about love lasting forever. I’m pretty straightforward–if I want someone, I just want to have them, even if it’s only for a year, or a few times. Just to scratch that itch, kill the fire, that’s all.”
That was hands down the realest thing I’d ever heard from a guy–and Edward just laid it all out there.
“Let me just say it–men are born shameless…” I was so pissed off, my rational side couldn’t hold back my temper, and I just snapped.
Edward’s face went completely dark. He probably never imagined anyone would ever use a word like that about him–he was always so untouchable, so above it all, like nothing could ever touch him.
As soon as the words left my mouth, my heart clenched. I had that sinking feeling like I’d just really messed up.
Edward wasn’t like Jared–I could mouth off to Jared all I wanted, and he probably deserved it. But Edward? He was a man with a real temper.
Edward started closing the distance between us, step by step. My breath hitched, and I instinctively leaned back in my seat, trying to get away.
He planted both hands on either side of my chair, boxing me in, his gaze icy cold. “Good one. Guess you hit the nail on the head—call it my shameless streak, Victoria. Tell me, were you so desperate to be with Ryan yesterday because you were afraid I’d just snatch you away?”
My breath nearly stopped, my cheeks burning red with embarrassment. I turned my face away and said coldly, “Shouldn’t I be afraid? Getting involved with someone like you is just asking for trouble.”
“What, am I some kind of walking disaster?” he shot back.
I bit my lip and corrected him, “No, you’re worse—you’re a plague…”
“Victoria, watch your mouth,” Edward was truly pissed off now.