Irrevocable (Evan Arden 5)

“You are very welcome.” I check inside the bags, which are full of fresh vegetables and fruit. “Looks like you’ve been busy.”

“I was reading an article about antioxidants and getting vitamins from fresh foods instead of a pill. I know you always take a multivitamin, but I thought this might be better. The recipes look good anyway.”

“You have enough here for a platoon.”

“I thought I’d make extra. It should freeze well, and you can eat it later this week.”

Bam!

I physically flinch from her words.

You, not we.

Alina’s head is in the fridge, and she doesn’t see my reaction. I drop the rest of the bags on the kitchen island and lean against it as images of her kissing my cheek as she says goodbye run through my mind. I rub at the center of my chest, trying to make the sudden tightness go away.

I can’t let her go.

“You should just stay.” I try to make the statement simple and keep my voice calm.

“Only until tomorrow,” Alina says. “I need to get back to my apartment.”

“You don’t even need that place,” I tell her, hoping I sound convincing instead of desperate. “There’s plenty of room here. If it’s not enough, we can switch to a three-bedroom or a whole new place if you prefer.”

“I still need my place.” She shuffles some of the refrigerator’s contents around, trying to make room for a plastic container of blueberries. Her response is so nonchalant, as if it means nothing to her.

“Just a few more days.” So much for not sounding desperate.

She steps back from the fridge, pressing her lips together and not looking at me.

“I can’t do that, Evan. I need some time.”

“Time for what?” As my body tightens, I start to lose my control. “Everything is working out fine!”

She stands and looks at me. Her expression seems patronizing, and it pisses me off more.

“We agreed to this, Evan. One week. That week is up tomorrow, and I need a little space to think about all of this.”

“What is there to think about?” I raise my voice a little. “You stay here with me. I fuck you, and then we sleep. It’s pretty simple!”

“There’s more to it than that.”

“No, there’s isn’t.”

“Evan…” She steps forward and reaches out to me, but I pull back.

“I bought you. You aren’t a rental anymore.”

“And I told you, no one owns me. I’m not here to be bought or sold.”

“Yeah, you are. You’re a hooker, so yeah, you are here to be bought.”

“On my own terms.” Alina puts one hand on her hip and runs the other through her hair. I still want to braid it. If she leaves, I may never get the chance.

“The terms involve money and pussy. I already put up the money. What do you want, a raise?”

Alina scowls at me and places her other hand on her hip. She narrows her eyes and takes a deep breath.

“If all you wanted was pussy, you could get that anywhere.”