Page 11 of Fractured Memories

There is no give to her tone. She says the words like they are insults, and I’m enjoying every second of provoking her.

I typically enjoy putting people in their place. Very few have the luxury of talking to me so blatantly, but I only want to encourage it when it comes to this woman.

“What if I'm not trying to seduce you? I’m only asking for what’s fair. You clearly know who I am. Should I not be extended the same luxury?”

Her thumb strokes over the pulse in my throat, but I don’t stop her. “I’d say that you live in the lap of luxury, and I don’t believe you are here with pure intentions.”

A full smile pulls at my lips, one that rarely ever surfaces. “I never said I was here with pure intentions. Just that I want to know your name.”

“I still won’t let you call me by it.”

“That’s fine.”

She huffs, clearly not having expected to find her match in me. “It’s Eden,” she bites out.

“Eden Resnick.” I hum, tasting her name on my tongue. It’s delicious. “What a lovely name.”

She rolls her eyes, and damn, there is something wrong with me. Because that action only makes me want to push her further.

“Still not here to seduce me?”

“I wouldn’t dare.” But my smile directly contradicts those words. “Do you have a fight tonight?”

“Tomorrow,” she answers slowly, and I’m surprised that she didn’t just lie to me.

“So you are free tonight.” I am so tempted to dip my head closer, but I’m afraid that any movement will spook her.

“I wouldn’t say that.” Her thumb keeps stroking over my skin.

“No?” I take the chance, bringing my lips to her ear. “Because I have an enticing offer if you were.”

She arches into me so subtly I wonder if she even notices it. “An offer from you sounds like a dangerous thing, Mr. Kelly.”

I’m dying to hear my name on her lips.

“You don’t strike me as someone who shies from danger, Miss Resnick.” I lift my head slowly, pausing as she turns to look at me. Our noses are nearly brushing. “Come with me. I promise I’ll make it worth it.”

Her tongue swipes out, wetting her lips as she stares into my eyes. The tension between us is so thick that I think it’s the only thing holding me back right now.

Her chin tips up, a move so slight it shouldn’t matter. But it has me focusing on that gorgeous mouth, on the way her lips part. I’m about to snap when she says, “No.”

Her hand flattens, pushing against my chest and shoving me back a few steps. There were a dozen other ways she could have gotten out of my hold, but I know that she chose to test if I’d let her go.

Which is why I don’t stop her as she walks away from me, thick hair swinging behind her. I’m still reeling, enough so that I don’t even call after her.

She told me no. No one tells me no. Well, Rohan and Lochlan will. Definitely Jude. But she knows who I am, and she still told me no.

It has me shaking my head with a smile, fighting not to laugh out loud. I have a severe reputation, and still, she didn’t back down. I shouldn’t find that so attractive, but there doesn’t seem to be a thing this woman can do that I won’t.

Just before she turns the corner out of my sight, she glances back at me with a smirk toying at the edges of her lips. “Try harder next time, Kieran.”

CHAPTER 4

KIERAN

Present day…

My wife has no clue who I am.