Page 38 of Revenge Puck

She tilts her head. “Well?”

“That’s your cue.”

She studies me. “Are you dismissing me?”

“I wouldnever.”

Then Juliette takes a small step away from me. “That’s my cue.”

My head nods.

I watch her go but don’t follow; I will not chase a woman.

Ever.

I did that once and look where it’s gotten me. Humiliated. Caught off guard. Embarrassed. Sucker punched. Standing with my dick in my hand on the side of a ballroom, trying to make Juliette Kennedy fall for me.

When she comes back to me from Storm—and she will—it won’t be because I begged.

This time, if someone gets hurt…

It won’t be me.

SEVEN

JULIETTE

I regret saying yes to this date for so many reasons.

It’s against the rules. You know that; I know that. Everyone knows that.

I have no idea what to do with a man like Aaron Bishop—I proved that by wasting the one chance I had to seduce him and didn’t manage it.

He’s intimidating. I feel like he’s toying with me but can’t figure out how? Or why…

Curiosity killed the cat.

“You’re fine, Juliette. It’s fine. People break rules all the time! I mean, look at that sports reporter who married that football player, what’s her name and what’s his face…”

It’ll be our secret…

I repeat the mantra in my head while standing in my walk-in closet, staring at my clothes, tampering down the emotions churning in my lower stomach.

Secret.

That word alone should be enough to make me cancel.

I stop in front of the mirror.

Stare at myself.

“You are not this girl,” I whisper to no one. “You are responsible. You are dependable. You would not knowingly put it all on the line for some random guy.”

He’s toying with me—has to be.

Why else would he ask me out? I mean—look at me! He could have anyone. I look like…like akindergarten teacher! I stay home to read on weekends and wear glasses.

I alphabetize my bookshelf by author.