Page 168 of Glutton for Punishment

Then he extends his hand, and I stare at it suspiciously.

“What is that?”

“A handshake. A… peace offering?” He says, raising a brow.

“That is such a Greed move.” I say, rolling my eyes before continuing. “I don’t forgive you and I absolutely do not trust you.”

“So I’ve been told.” He says with his hand still out. He never loses that confidence, does he?

“But… I agree not to completely despise you. Or make it my mission to ruin your life.” I shake my head and take his hand, given it a firm shake before dropping it.

A small smile touches his mouth. “I’ll take it. "

He turns and walks away before I can respond. I watch him disappear down the corridor, feeling strangely off balance. Lately, every time I think I’ve figured him out, he does something that makes the lines blur all over again. I’m still standing there when another voice slides in behind me.

“Interesting development.”

I turn sharply to find Alexi leaning against the wall like he’s been there the entire time, arms crossed, expression half-bored, half-amused. And rage flares to life in my chest.

Why do these annoying men always have to be so close by?

“Fuck off, Alexi.”

I haven’t forgotten what he did at the ball. Sure, it wasn’t wrong per se; we’re not together. It still felt personal.

“Wow, Ryker gets gratitude and I get profanity. I feel genuinely excluded,” he says, with a fake, cruel smile. “Tell me, Arwen, are you on a mission to fuck all the entire Council’s male heirs?”

I give him a disgusted look and start to walk away. “I don’t know what’s with you, but I’m not dealing with your bullshit.”

He pushes off the wall and follows anyway.

“Oh, come on. It was a joke. You forgive him for pretending to be your boyfriend last year to manipulate you,” he says casually, “but you’re angry at me for what? Following my nature?”

I pause and turn to face him.

“Is that what you’re calling it? Following your nature? Because from where I was standing it looked a lot more like sticking your tongue down someone’s throat simply to cause chaos in your bond.”

“Oh?” His brow lifts. “You’re claiming me as your bond now? I haven’t heard you were openly admitting that.”

I open my mouth. Then close it. “Ryker’s not forgiven,” I say. “Not even close.”

“Mm.”

“But he’s helped me,” I say. “More than once. And it always makes things easier instead of harder. That’s not nothing.” I meet his eyes. “Which is a pretty low bar, and yet here we are.”

Alexi laughs. “Oh yes, Ryker’s a real white knight. Your savior.”

Something in his tone makes my skin prickle as he steps closer.

“And yet… tell me,” he adds, voice low, “have you ever wondered why your friendship with Brix crumbled so spectacularly?”

I go still. “What are you talking about?”

His eyes linger on mine, and I swear I see a little pain.

“Maybe you should ask him,” Alexi says. Then he smiles again and walks away.

Chapter 52