Dirty Filthy Rich Love Read Online Free Epub

The sting of that snub returned on top of the newer pain. "Right. Probably because he didn't want me to know he was in boondocks seeing his lover, Sun." My vox cracked. "That was sure polite of him."

He shook his head. "Sun is not his lover."

Yeah well, Weston likewise didn't desire to believe his male parent was corrupt or that Donovan had framed a college advisor.

I wasn't going to argue nigh it. "Any she is, he's with her tonight." And not me.

Well, I didn't want to run across him either.

The lift stopped. The doors opened, and I hustled out, one-half expecting to see that Donovan had run down the stairs to meet us. Only the lobby was empty.

"I've texted my commuter," Dylan said. "We tin can try to make a speedy getaway, if that helps."

"That does. Thanks."

Outside, I pulled my glaze tighter around me and paced the sidewalk, keeping i eye out for Dylan'south limo and the other eye on the doors to the edifice in example Donovan showed upward. The cold temperature sobered me up and left me with a throbbing headache.

"Hither'due south the automobile," Dylan said as the limo collection toward us a few brusk minutes later.

This was information technology. We'd done it. Escaped. He hadn't fifty-fifty come after me. If I was disappointed near that, I wasn't admitting information technology to anyone.

Only no sooner had the car parked and then I heard my proper noun again.

"Sabrina, look!"

All of us turned together to see Donovan rushing toward united states from the building. Rushing toward me.

"Oh, Christ," I mumbled. Though inside I felt a lilliputian relieved.

And also a whole lot pissed off. And hurt. So hurt.

Dylan spoke commencement, greeting the man who had no concern looking every bit outrageously handsome as he did. "Donovan!"

Information technology took Donovan a 2nd to pull his optics from me to the human at my side. "Dylan?" He seemed almost unable to process his friend'due south presence. "I didn't realize you were in town."

"I'm visiting Aaron. He has the holiday weekend. I'll be in the office tomorrow, though." He snuck a glance at me, and I realized this banal minor talk was meant to diffuse the situation.

Thank you, I mouthed silently.

Not that Donovan was deterred for long. "We can catch upwardly tomorrow, then. If y'all don't mind, though, I need to only infringe Sabrina for the balance of the evening. Don't worry. I'll drive her home."

Before I knew what was happening, he had his hand on my back and was pivoting me away from everyone else.

"Hold on," Audrey ordered. "She's not going anywhere with you unless she says that'due south what she wants."

Donovan dropped his hand and turned to her. "You're protective of your sis. That'south very sweetness. We haven't met, Audrey, but I work with anybody here."

She lifted her chin and took a stride frontwards. "I know who yous are too, Donovan. Don't try to bulldoze me."

I fleck back a proud giggle.

Donovan took a beat, and I could tell he was trying to remain at-home. "Then if you lot know who I am, you likely also understand that I demand to talk to her."

"I don't desire to talk to you," I barked. Which wasn't truthful. I wanted to talk to him so bad I'd called him all the way in France.

"Then yous'll listen." He shifted his focus back to my sis. "I promise to take her back to you in one piece."

I didn't understand why he was so insistent to talk at present. Why did he intendance? He was already dating other women. Defending himself was needless. It wasn't like we had a relationship to save.

But we would need to talk at some indicate, and before Audrey agreed it was a good idea, she'd have to corroborate of Donovan's motives.

"You need to talk to her as her boss?" she asked, manifestly poking at his choice to introduce himself equally one of my coworkers.

"I need to talk to her every bit her boyfriend," Donovan corrected.

"Whoa," Weston said, echoing my thoughts. Audrey grinned, the traitor.

"You are not my boyfriend," I growled, though deep down inside of me I already knew I was going to replay those words over and over once more afterwards on. Analyze them. Dissect them. Cut them upward and encounter if at that place was whatsoever possible meaning to them besides as a tactic to grab my attention.

Donovan let out an impatient huff of air. "And then I need to talk to yous as the guy you've been fucking."

Dylan cringed visibly.

I fumed. "Not anymore. Y'all made sure that was over when—"

"Sabrina," Donovan interrupted, his depression authoritative tone impossible to ignore. "Give Audrey the keys to your flat and tell her you'll meet her at home in an hr. I'm sure that yous trust both Weston and Dylan to make sure she gets there safely."

God, I hated everything well-nigh him right and then. The manner he'd inserted himself into my evening plans. The way he made my skin prickle and buzz. The way he made me call back I might actually be someone who mattered to him.

It was as well cold to continue standing on the curb arguing, and information technology wasn't fair to keep anybody. I was giving in.

I met Audrey'south eyes. I didn't take to say anything for her to know what I was asking.

"I'm fine," she said confidently. "You should get."

"I'll be less than an hour," I said, handing her my flat fundamental. I wasn't sure I could proceed that promise, but I made it anyway.

She shook her head, nonverbally telling me not to worry. "You have the History channel. That's enough entertainment to terminal me quite a while."

I waited until the three of them were in the dorsum of the limo, and the door was close. And then I took a deep jiff, turned abroad from the curb, and stepped toward Donovan.

Donovan. Fucking Donovan in his tailored conform and five o'clock shadow.

Walking toward him was similar deciding to walk through fire when I was already covered with first-degree burns. It hurt like I couldn't describe.

But I was a girl who lived in darkness. His fire certain looked vivid.

He took my arm. Information technology was a polite gesture, and the pressure of his hand felt comforting through my coat, but I pulled away immediately.

"Don't touch me. We tin can talk, but you don't get to bear upon me."

I know I didn't imagine the flicker of pain I saw in his eyes even if he refused to acknowledge it.

"We'll just talk then." He gestured to his Jag, which had pulled up along the sidewalk ahead while we'd argued. "After you."

Halfway to Donovan's car, I realized we were leaving without Lord's day.

Not that I minded. But I sure as hell was going to make a point to mention information technology.

"You simply abandoned your date?" I didn't desire to seem similar I cared virtually his response, simply I glanced over at him from the corner of my eye.

His mouth tightened. "It was a business concern dinner. Not a engagement. We came separately. She'll get her own ride home."

That did make me fairly gleeful. Whatever happened this evening, at least I wouldn't have to wonder if Sunday would be dropping her panties for Donovan in the backseat like she had the final time he'd driven her dwelling from 1 of their dates.

I knew because he'd afterwards told me most information technology in item. It was months ago, and I yet writhed with jealousy when I idea about it.

At the car, Donovan reached downward to open up the back door, and then held it then I could get in.

I paused at the curb and met his eyes, the door a barrier between us. "So no going down on Sun in the automobile this night then. What a compassion."

He didn't flinch. "You're the one I'thou putting in a car, Sabrina. If that's how you want to spend the bulldoze, I'thousand more than than happy to oblige."

A shiver ran down my spine that I hoped he didn't see.

"I'grand getting in the car to talk." Simply maybe I didn't mean that.

Did I? How strong could I exist in Donovan's presence? Could I be as stiff as I needed to exist?

"Go far the auto so."

I guessed nosotros'd find out.

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I slid across the backseat until I got to the other side and buckled myself in. It was a lamentable excuse for a barricade, but I pretended information technology would keep me prophylactic. Every bit long as I stayed on my side, and he stayed on his side, everything would be fine.
Merely and then he got in next to me, his long legs taking so much more space, his very being taking upwards even more space. He filled the car. There was no escaping him. He was everywhere—beside me, in my skin, on my tongue. I couldn't breathe without inhaling him.

I needed to practise or say something to remind myself what the situation was.

"Just considering I'yard leaving with you doesn't modify the fact that yous came with her," I said, bitterly as the car pulled away from the curb.

He studied me a moment. "I came here for you."

"Because you but happened to know I'd exist at Gaston'due south tonight? That makes perfect sense. Bring along your girlfriend. That will show Sabrina what'due south what."

"I came to the States for you."

My heart tripped.

It had to exist bullshit. "And you proved it past going out with Sun the minute you got here. I completely believe you lot."

"I didn't leave with her romantically," he said tersely. "I chosen Weston when I landed. He said your sister was in town. I didn't desire to interrupt your evening. I planned to see yous tomorrow. Meanwhile, I needed to negotiate some terms with Sun. Nosotros've hired her to be the confront of the campaign for the merger in Europe, and she's playing hardball with some additional requests."

"Then yous thought you could wine, dine, threescore—"

He cut me off sharply. "Information technology was dinner, and I'one thousand in the goddamn motorcar with you. I came dorsum for you."

I looked over at him. The car was dark, just there was enough low-cal from the street to see his face up. His crushingly handsome face. He seemed tired. Jet-lagged, probably. His scruff was maybe older than a 24-hour interval. His jaw was also tight, similar information technology got when he was frustrated. I wanted to achieve out and run my hand along the muscle. Wanted to experience the warmth of his pare burn my fingers.

I didn't really have whatever reason not to believe him.

He'd called her first, but his reason made sense. If he'd really wanted to exist with Dominicus instead of me, wouldn't he be with her now? If he said he'd come back to the States for me…

I'd been so wrapped up with Sun I'd forgotten about the rest. This was the offset time we'd been together without the veil. I knew about the file. And he knew that I knew. There were and so many bigger things than Lord's day between united states, and if he'd come back for me, was it to…explain? To try to make upwards a lie? To convince me not to printing charges for invasion of privacy?

"Why?" I asked outright. "Why did yous come back for me?"

"Don't play dumb, Sabrina. You called me."

"I called y'all, but in that location could exist a dozen different ways to translate your response when you show upwards similar this. You could have just called me back."

"I thought this word deserved a confront to face, don't you?" His tone was controlled and even and a footling bit threatening, and I wondered for a moment if I should be scared of him.

But I was always a little scared of him. Didn't I similar that about him?

I crossed my legs, trying to ignore the pulse betwixt my legs. "Confront to confront then you could seduce me into believing whatever you wanted me to believe?" If that was his plan, he needed to come up up with a new one. I had my seatbelt on and everything.

"I thought information technology would exist easier to talk honestly."

Something in my chest pushed out, like information technology was reaching. Like there was a office of me that was still holding out hope that we could put everything out on the table, and in that location'd be a way in there that nosotros could be together.

But I knew meliorate.

A of all, given the lengths he'd gone to, putting together my file over the years, I couldn't be entirely sure he wasn't a psychopath.

B of all, I'd already tried the honest approach and it had failed.

Besides, I knew the truth. I didn't need him to admit it, and I didn't believe for one minute that he would. But if he wanted to play the honesty game, then fuck it, I'd play his game.

I'd tell him his truth before he had a chance to tell me any other story.

I twisted in my seat so I could stare him dead in the face. "You desire honesty? How about this for honesty—I know what it means. That y'all have all that stuff on me. I already know what information technology ways, then don't bother trying to come upward with some story to alibi it."

He tilted his head in my direction, humoring me. "Actually. What does it mean?"

I stared him correct in the centre. "You love me."

"I do."

He'd spoken them no louder than anything else he'd said, and even so those two words echoed through the car like he'd shouted them into a canyon.

"Oh," I said. My breast felt heavy. And hot. I was hot. "Oh," I said again.

I looked downwards, all of a sudden feeling giddy and shaky and a little similar I was going to throw up.

"Tin you lot handle that?"

I looked back up at him, jolting when I met his eyes again. "I don't know." Fuck. I hated that he could see how vulnerable he made me. "I hateful. You don't even know me."

He raised a brow. "Are you lot sure?"

"A file of papers about me isn't knowing me."

"I realize that." He leaned closer, close enough that I could smell the faint smell of his aftershave. "Merely I knew you then and I know you lot now. And I know."

My unabridged trunk vibrated in agreement, equally though the cells inside me were able to acknowledge something that my brain refused to acknowledge.

Donovan Kincaid loved me.

I'd believed information technology, deep down, I'd thought it was the merely thing that made sense. He'd loved Amanda and he'd done the same things with her. The pieces added up. It was a rational conclusion.

But emotionally I hadn't been so certain.

I dropped my gaze. My head was rushing back through everything, putting this new frame on every experience we'd shared together, seeing it through the lens of he loves me, trying to feel if information technology fabricated sense.

Two weeks ago all I'd wanted was a take a chance that he might feel more ane twenty-four hours.

He'd hurt me. Pushed me away. Pissed me off.

"If y'all're then in honey with me, why did you insist that a relationship between us was impossible?"

He pressed his lips together. "Yous've discovered that I've been stalking you and meddling in your personal life for the terminal ten years, and you're concerned about why I didn't want to have a relationship?"

When he put it that way, it did sound kind of ridiculous.

I chuckled. I was losing it. Yep, he'due south a psychopath, but information technology's okay because he loves me. I wanted him to tell me more about how he felt about me, but he was correct. I needed to get my priorities direct.

I looked abroad for a moment to go my bearings. "I'm concerned about all that too." At that place'd been so many things I'd wanted to say near that when I'd chosen him. "I'one thousand really bothered by it. I'm mad. I'yard confused. I'chiliad freaked out. I feel…violated."

"Of class you do. Yous should feel all those things." He wasn't patronizing, simply non atoning either.

"You're damn right I should feel those things." I was irked at his lack of remorse. "I think I hate you for information technology."

"Do you?" he challenged.

I opened my rima oris to reply when he added, "Remember it's no fun if you're not honest."

"I hate you for it," I repeated, softer this time. I closed my eyes, scared of the side by side part, the words I hadn't said aloud to anyone, not even Audrey. "Merely I'm as well fascinated. That you're fascinated with me. That does things to me. It makes me feel prophylactic. And wanted. And looked after. It turns me on." I opened my eyes and looked at him. "I don't hateful sexually." Merely I did mean sexually too. "Does that mean I'thousand crazy?"

He laughed softly. "Probably."

He stretched his legs out
, more relaxed than he had been when we'd outset gotten in the car. He scrubbed his hand over his face and let out a sigh. "I forget how much I can trust you. I should take done that."
There it was. Remorse. He felt remorse.

"Before running away to France?" I clarified.

"I didn't…run away. Exactly." He smiled ever so slightly, and my pulse beat double-fourth dimension.

"You did run away. Considering you lot didn't want me to discover out near that file?" I was still putting pieces together, slipping them in where they seemed to fit best.

"When Amanda found out about her file, she was the one running abroad."

"So you thought you'd be the 1 to run abroad kickoff this time?"

"I don't know, Sabrina," he said with a frustrated huff. "Yes." Afterward he'd thought about information technology a 2nd. "Okay, yes." He looked somewhere in the distance. "I don't trust how I would handle losing you. It's amend if the ties are cutting on my terms. It's safer for both of us. For you, specially."

"But you're hither…"

His eyes returned to mine. "Because you called."

"Which means you're willing to consider the possibility of non losing me."

He searched my face. "Is that a possibility? Not losing you lot? Even knowing what you lot know at present?"

Fuck, we weren't ever actually together and here nosotros were talking in such enormity. Donovan had done that. Had put all this weight on our entire relationship by having been in that location for parts of my life I hadn't realized he'd always been part of.

So even though I wanted to clamber into his lap or kneel at his feet, even though I ached to touch him, I couldn't. Not all the same.

"I need to process this," I said, not assuasive myself to sound regretful.

"Whatever you need. Simply tell me." His eyes darted to my lips, and I wondered if he'd kiss me.

Or I wished he'd kiss me.

But kisses weren't what I needed. "I need answers. There's so much I withal don't understand."

"I'll tell you anything you want to know."

I studied his eyes. "I think you actually hateful that."

"If you're going to examination me, Sabrina, merely test me." He sounded almost annoyed, and I had to bite back a laugh. He'd tested me and then many times, merely plough the tables on him, and he couldn't have the rut.