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“Like hell you can.”was his response.
After calming down, we all talked. For the first time in six years, all of us sat down and spoke. He wanted mom to attend rehab and would pay for it on the condition I would agree to attend his school to repeat my senior year. I laughed at his ulterior motive. Daddy dearest would never do anything out ofthe goodness of his heart. Even for his daughter. My traitorous mother was quick to agree to this, much to my annoyance.
Now mom is in a rehab facility in Arizona, to complete a three-month treatment program. And me? I’m in sunny Orange County living withdaddyand his real-life real housewife, about to repeat my senior year at Regis Saints Academy.
I have done my research on the place. From what I can tell, it is a place for trust-fund brats. Spoiled kids who thought they were special with their designer outfits and latest gadgets that had probably never known hardship. Maybe I was being judgmental, and these kids would be different, but I am bitter and angry about my whole situation. I just need to focus on why I am doing this. Mom is finally getting the help she needs. I can do this. For her. It can’t be that hard, can it?
I am basically living the real OC life. With the big mansion, the step ford looking wives and the rich men. Declan earns good money as the Dean of Regis Saints, but it’s not what made him rich. No. That is the app he designed and developed for use in schools and sold for millions.
Honestly, as much as it pains me to admit this, I have seen it and even used it. Its good. I asked him why he continued his work at Regis Saints when he obviously didn’t have to. His response?
“Work is in our blood, Eden, whether I have ten-thousand dollars, or ten-million dollars, it doesn’t matter, I will still work.”
I didn’t know what to say to that, so I said nothing. His young, gold-digging fiancée doesn’t work. Eyeroll. So, I guess she does enoughnot workingfor both of them. I am only going off what I have seen but it is obvious why she is with him, he isn’t a bad looking man by any means, but he must be twenty years older than her.
A deep, sexy, masculine voice pulls me from my thoughts, sending a shiver up my spine.
“You look like you could use another drink?”
My head whips round, eyes connecting with his face, they widen before all the air leaves my lungs. I have never seen such a beautiful looking man in my life. I blink to make sure he is real and not an apparition I have conjured up in my drunk mind. Yep, still there. As if he can read my thoughts, he flashes me a smirk. A smirk so sexy, I swallow just to wet my dry mouth. My eyes rake over his face shamelessly, drinking in every inch of him. He looks like a god. Face chiseled and defined. Sparkling emerald, green eyes full of mischief. Tousled dark hair that is begging to have my hands run through it. My gaze drops down his body, mouthwatering at what I find. He wears a simple black t-shirt that showcases every bit of muscle, although they are covered, I can see the outline of his abs. I count them in my head. One, two, three, four…. is that an eight pack? I think it is.
My eyes drop further south of their own volition. He wears navy khakis which showcases the prominent bulge. His cock. I gulp. I may not have much experience with men but even through his pants I can tell he is big. My gaze snaps up when a throat clears. When I find the sexy strangers’ eyes on me, my cheeks heat in embarrassment. His lips curve, eyes sparkle with amusement. I glare before turning my gaze on my empty glass. Bastard knows I was checking him out. His arm brushes mine as he takes a seat on the stool beside me. My eyes flick back to him, he raises an expectant brow and I realize I haven’t yet spoken.
“What makes you say that?”
He smiles knowingly. “Because you look how I feel.” He signals the bartender with a wave of his hand. Do I look that bad?
I know I’m attractive and that’s not me being conceited; I have been told enough times. I was even model scouted lastyear at my local mall in Seattle but never pursued it. With my dancer’s legs, long blond hair, and blue eyes. I can easily be mistake for your typical Californian girl. I got mom’s looks andhiseyes. For a long time, I hated looking in the mirror and seeinghimstaring back at me.
My eyes dart to the mirror behind the bar where I slyly check myself out. I internally scold myself at the sight that stares back at me. Messy hair, face free of make-up. As for my outfit? I glance down at my ripped denim shorts, black tank top, and Chucks. I never usually care what I look like but right now I do, especially when I look at the man beside me. All attractive, nicely dressed, and put together.
“So, what can I get you to drink?” he asks, flashing his perfect white teeth.
I turn my whole body to face him, ready to decline his offer.
“Look, I’m sure you are a really nice guy. But I am not really in the mood to be hit on, and I am not a one-night type of girl…so you can leave.” I turn back to face my empty glass, hoping he will get the message. As hot as he is, I don’t need any distractions. I just need to finish my senior year and get the hell out of Orange County.
“Tell me,” He drawls so sexy it makes my core clench. That’s new. I turn to face him again, this time with a cocked brow urging him to speak. “How is a woman who looks like you……” he trails off, his lips twisting as if he is searching for the right words. He clears his throat. “I mean, you are exquisitely beautiful, but I’m sure you know that.” He pauses waiting for my reaction. I don’t give him one. “Anyway, why are you on your own? Looking like the world has ended? A girl as pretty as you should never be without a smile.” My heart flutters at his compliment, but I still don’t give in. Like I said, I don’t need the distraction, no matter how hot he is.
“Look, you can probably have any woman in this place. Probably most of the men too,” I add, with a wave of my arms. “Why don’t you go and hit on someone you actually have a chance with? An easy fuck which is more than likely what you are looking for. I’m not that girl, you are wasting your time. I just want to sit and drink in peace.” His eyes narrow before his lips tip up in breathtaking smile, that leaves me momentarily stunned. There are no words to explain how attractive this man is.
“Beautiful and funny…just my type,” He smirks, leaning in so close his hot breath fans my face. My breath hitches at his close proximity. “You’re right. I could probably have any woman in here. It’s not like I didn’t notice the come fuck me eyes when I walked in. I don’t do desperate. I can smell their desperation from here,” A snort bursts from me on its own volition. Jesus, he may be gorgeous, but he’s an arrogant bastard. “But you? You didn’t so much as look at me until I approached you. Even then you barely spared me a glance,” His emerald eyes bore into me making me squirm in my seat. Noticing he smirks. “I do like a challenge. I think I will take my chances and join you.” He finishes, leaning back in his stool getting comfortable, he shoots me a wink. I roll my eyes, acting nonchalant even though I can feel my arousal in my panties. They are embarrassingly wet; I was sure by the time I leave here my shorts will be too. Not that I will ever admit it…something tells me this man doesn’t need anything else to inflate his already oversized ego.
I eye him. Feeling confident, I cock my head with a smirk. “Beautiful, huh? Quite the charmer, aren’t you?” He flashes an arrogant smirk not deterred by my words. “Maybe if I were a few more drinks in, I would have fallen for what I am sure is normally a bulletproof way to get a woman into bed. Unfortunately for you, I’m not. And I definitely will not fall for a little line like calling me beautiful.” I shoot him condescendingwink. He eyes me a beat before his head falls back on a laugh. I stare at him as he chuckles. If I wasn’t so angry right now, I would probably enjoy his attention.
His eyes meet mine as his tongue traces his full bottom lip. My eyes dart to the movement, watching as he wets the perfect plump flesh. “Pessimism doesn’t suit such a beautiful face.” I groan as the bartender hands us our drinks – the green-eyed stranger sliding him some bills across the bar in return. He turns with a sigh. “Look, we obviously got off on the wrong foot. You probably get hit all the time and by the look on your face, it is the last thing you want. So, let’s cut the shit and start over. I’m Nate.” He thrusts his hand out for me to take. “I can leave you be, if that’s what you really want? I just don’t want to sit alone. And as much as you probably don’t think you want it; something tells me you could use the company. What’s your name, Blondie?”
A smile tugs at my lips. He is right. I was used to being hit on. Half the male population at my school in Seattle had hit on me to no avail. The boys I went to school with, they were immature, their sole purpose in life was to see how many girls they could sleep with by graduation. I wasn’t going to be another notch on some boy’s bedpost, so I steered clear, earning me the nickname ‘Pruden’—a mix of prudish and Eden. They thought they were clever. I didn’t care. When they eventually realized they wouldn’t get anywhere with me they stayed away.
I take a sip of my drink before taking Nate’s hand with a smile. “Eden. I apologize for being a bitch. It’s been a bad day.” He grins with a nod of his head.
“I know that feeling,” His jaw ticks, a dark look in his eyes. “I just found out my ex of six years is engaged to the guy she cheated on me with.” My mouth gapes in disbelief that anyone would want to cheat on him, before I let out a low whistle
“And I thought I was having a bad day. You definitely win.”
He shrugs, waving me off. “Yeah, it was a shock for sure. But they are welcome to each other.” He dismisses it like it isn’t a big deal, but I don’t miss the anger flashing in his eyes. “So, what happened to you? Boyfriend? Ex-boyfriend?” He licks his lips as his eyes rake over me, his gaze scorching my skin in ways I didn’t know could happen. “Nah, not an ex. I can’t imagine any guy lucky enough to have you would ever leave you. And if he did, he is an idiot.” A laugh bubbles out of me and I shake my head in amusement.
“You can’t help yourself, can you?”
