Chapter 213
KESTER.
I never believed the journey from the Crimson Valley pack was such an effortless adventure as June made it seem–twice in twenty–four hours, she showed up at my doorstep like a stray with nowhere else to be.
I had just finished crafting the perfect plan to handle Karina when a knock at my bedroom door shattered the satisfaction I’d barely begun to savor.
She didn’t even let me bask in the moment of my anticipated victory before she ruined it
with her tedious presence.
“What are you doing here, June?” I asked calmly, my voice a perfect description of
disinterest wrapped in civility, as I pulled on my shorts and vest, carelessly tossing away the towel from my waist.
Her eyes followed my movements until they stopped at the slight swell in my shorts.
I sighed, not bothering to hide my impatience. “Is there something you need, June?” I asked, pulling her out of whatever stupid fantasy that must be running through her head
already.
“I… Uh…” She swallowed, forcing out a breathless laugh. “I just thought I should drop by.”
She replied, wiping her palm on her straight, red gown that stopped just slightly above
her knees.
I leaned against the table, exhaling slowly. “You can’t keep dropping by so frequently,
June. I don’t have all the time in the world for… leisure.”
“I’m sorry,” she murmured, flashing a nervous smile. “It’s just… with all the preparations
and everything, it’s been overwhelming. I could use your help, too.”
Her designer bag landed on my bed with a feeling of entitlement.
I scoffed, sitting on the chair beside the table.
“Tell me, June…” I placed a finger to my temple, “What’s your father’s plan for me?”
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“My father?” She asked, tilting her head slightly.
I arched a brow. “Yes, June. Your father.” I rested my elbow on the table, tapping my temple with a lazy finger. “What’s his plan for me?”
She hesitated, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. “You know the plan, Kester.”
“I want to hear it from you.”
A flicker of frustration crossed her face before she sighed. “He wants the engagement to be official first. Then he’ll start pulling strings for your company.”
I huffed a laugh, shaking my head. “How generous of him.”
“Kester-
“No.” I cut her off, sitting back in my chair. “That doesn’t work for me.”
She blinked. “What?”
I laced my fingers together, watching her with the same disinterest I reserved for pointless negotiations. “Your father’s influence should already be working in my favor, June. Not waiting for some arbitrary engagement date. If you truly value this arrangement, you should be showing it now.”
Her lips parted slightly like she wanted to protest but wasn’t sure how.
“I don’t like being tested. And that’s what your father is doing. Testing me to see if I’d be loyal to the arrangement,” I continued, “And his conditions? They displease me.”
June inhaled sharply. “And what would please you?”
A slow smirk curled my lips. “Your father making himself useful immediately.”
For a second, I thought she would argue. I thought she would dig in her heels and tell me I was being unreasonable. But instead, she stepped forward, closer than necessary.
Too close.
Then, with ease, she perched herself onto my thigh, her warm weight pressing against me through the thin fabric of my shorts.
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I went still.
Patience.
Patience…
I would let her say whatever nonsense she needed to say before I shoved her off. Can’t stand her touching me in this manner.
She turned slightly, her hand trailing up my chest before settling on my shoulder.
“Kester…”
I clenched my jaw. “June-‘
”
Her arms wrapped around my neck, fingers skimming the back of my head, her breath warm against my ear.
“If this is what would make you happy…” Her voice was barely above a whisper, sweet and slow, meant to sink into my skin. “Then I’ll talk to my father.”
I exhaled sharply, about to pry her off me when the door flew open.
I didn’t have to look to know.
A sudden weight dropped in my stomach, heavier than the woman in my lap.
Kasmine.
Fuck.
Her eyes held so many questions that made my head spin with regrets.
And just like that–whatever control I thought I had shattered.
Kasmine’s eyes barely met mine before she muttered something that sounded like an apology before turning away.
And then she was gone before I could get a single word out or before I could even reach
for her and explain fucking anything.
June had barely comprehended anything when I shoved her off me. Hard.
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She yelped, stumbling off my lap, but I didn’t give a fuck. I was already on my feet, moving.
“Kesten-
I didn’t hear the rest.
I was out the door.
Kasmine’s footsteps echoed ahead of me, fast and frantic. I picked up my pace, closing the distance between us, but she was already at her door.
“Wait-
Too late.
The door slammed shut.
Right in my face.
My palm hit the wood, fingers curling into a fist as my heart pounded against my ribs.
“Kasmine,” I called, barely able to control myself.
No response.
I exhaled hard, forcing my grip to loosen before I put a hole through the damn door. “Open up, please.”
Silence.
I could hear her breathing on the other side. It sounded shallow and unsteady.
I leaned in, lowering my voice. “Kasmine. Let me explain.”
Nothing.
I let my head rest against the door for a second, jaw clenched. “It wasn’t what you think, I
promise.”
Still nothing.
Chapter 213
A bitter laugh scraped my throat.
Of course.
She didn’t believe me. She didn’t even want to hear me.
And the worst part?
I couldn’t blame her for it.
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