Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 66185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
Again his mouth curves up as if he finds joy in the memory. “He deserved worse. I took it easy on him.”
Disbelief washes over me, and I can only shake my head. “Seriously? For dating your sister, you think he deserved worse?”
Ever so slowly, Tristan shakes his head. “For being an abusive asshole who dared to date my sister.”
Huh?
“He beat Danny?” I gasp.
Tristan lets out a dark sounding chuckle, and instead of it serving as a warning, it catches me off guard by making heat pool in my abdomen.
“Then he’d be dead.” He lifts a hand, and I stand frozen as his fingers lightly brush down my neck to my arm, making a wave of goosebumps rush to meet his touch. “The man is a narcissist. I was protecting my sister.” There’s a moment's silence in which I can hear my heart thundering in my chest. “Have dinner with me.”
This time when I move to the right, Tristan lets me pass. “The answer is still no.”
I walk to the door, but before I reach it, he chuckles, “Challenge accepted.”
His words make me stop dead in my tracks, and before I can think my actions through, I spin around and stalk back to him. “You think I’m a challenge because no one ever says no to you.” I come to a standstill right in front of him, and looking up, I say, “You’re dangerous. I can see it in your eyes. That’s why my answer won’t change.”
TRISTAN
Adrenaline begins to flow through my veins as Hana refuses me again.
I let out another chuckle, amused by how adamant she is to not have dinner with me. “I’d never hurt you.”
Hana shakes her head, the fire in her eyes dimming slightly. “That’s not what I meant.”
“I know what you meant.” Lifting my hand, I once again can’t resist touching her. I wrap my fingers around the side of her neck and brush my thumb along the curve of her jaw. Hana’s eyes dilate at my caress and her lips part. “I’d never let anyone hurt you.”
She pulls away, a wavering look in her eyes catching my attention.
Hana will give in. Maybe not today. Or tomorrow. But she will give in.
“I haven’t seen you in years, Tristan,” Hana says. “We might move in the same circle, but that doesn’t mean I know you.”
“Then get to know me,” the words rush from me.
Hana stares at me for a moment, then she asks, “Why me?”
My lips instantly curve up. “Because I knew you’d say no.”
With a frustrated look, she shakes her head. “You’re not going to stop, are you?”
Slowly, I shake my head. “Give me one date. If you don’t want to see me again, I’ll accept defeat.”
She lets out a sigh, and walking away from me, she says, “Seven o’clock. If you’re one second late, don’t bother.”
Let the games begin.
“Seven it is,” I murmur as I follow after her. My eyes roam over her petite body, and once again, I’m filled with possessiveness.
I want every inch of Hana.
I will have her.
“There you are,” Mrs. Cutler says. “Come, the food will get cold.”
I wait for Hana to take a seat before I sit down beside her. She scoots her chair closer to her father, making me struggle to suppress a grin.
Mrs. Cutler begins to load food onto my plate, and knowing it’s her culture and a show of kindness and respect, I murmur, “Thank you.”
When everyone begins to eat, I ask, “Hana, you’re going to study law, right?”
She swallows, and without looking at me, she replies. “Yes.”
“She’s doing so well,” Mrs. Cutler sings her daughter’s praises. “Hana’s at the top of her class.”
“Brilliant and beautiful,” I offer the compliment, which makes Mrs. Cutler beam proudly.
“Are you seeing anyone?” Mrs. Cutler asks.
Hana kicks me under the table, and before I can stop myself, I let out a chuckle.
Brave little soul.
“As a matter of fact, I’ve asked Hana to join me for dinner.”
Hana drops her cutlery. “Don’t get excited, Mom. It’s nothing more than dinner between acquaintances.”
“Dinner?” Mr. Cutler murmurs, drawing my attention to him. There’s a worried look in his eyes. “Is that all it is?”
Not breaking eye contact, I shake my head. “No, I’m hoping to impress your daughter.”
“That will never happen,” Hana mutters under her breath where she’s seated between us.
Mr. Cutler takes a sip of his juice, then he clears his throat while his eyes find mine again. “We’ll talk more after breakfast.”
“Of course.”
Twenty minutes later, Mr. Cutler shuts the study’s door behind us and gestures for me to take a seat.
He sits down across from me, then gives me a pleading look. “Not Hana.”
I feel a twinge of compassion. Lake Cutler is one of the kindest souls I know, and I respect him.
“You’re worried for her safety,” I get right to the point.
“Yes. I don’t want her anywhere near The Ruin.”