Page 30 of Cut Deeper

His lips curled.

“You’re full of surprises.”

I smiled and gauged the remaining juice in the jug before reaching for the pill beside my plate.

“Could you pass me the kitchen roll, please?”

He turned and I dropped the pill into the jug. The darkness of the juice disguised it, and I could only hope the food was salty enough for him to drink more. He tore off a few sheets and I wiped down the condensation on the jug.

“Thank you,” I murmured, but I didn’t dare look up.

That was the problem between us—we could read one another all too easily.

I used Viagra on men for my own pleasure.

Who wants to blink, and it’s over?

But for me to use it on Ethan was completely different. Payback, and then getting off—repeatedly, if I played my cards right.

We ate in silence. There was still dessert. There was still time for him to drink more of that juice.

Let’s see how savage Dr Hammond could become.

?? ?? ??

He was breathing differently, a thick, congested sound that hadn’t been there twenty minutes ago. When he looked up at me, he winced against the dining room light, his hand reaching up to rub a sudden, deep red flush that was rapidly swallowing his neck and cheeks.

“Are you catching a cold?” I asked, leaning in to press my palm to his forehead. He felt hot—unnaturally hot, like a radiator left on high.

The sildenafil sure packed a punch, and it never let me down. He’d only managed a few bites of the raspberry and white chocolate cheesecake.

He grabbed my wrist.

“What did you do, Anne?” he growled.

I didn’t flinch or look away.

“It was always going to end like this, Ethan,” I said, hoping I sounded as pathetic as those telenovela actresses.

“Poison?” he spat.“Really? I expected a little more creativity.”

“I’m sorry, Ethan. It was you or me,” I said, ducking my head before I burst out laughing.

He stood up, dragging me with him. He gripped my shoulders and began to shake me.

“What was it? What did you give me?” he shouted.

I took a deep breath and raised my head. His cheeks were flushed, his pupils dilated, and perspiration beaded beside his temple. There was murder in his eyes as his fingers bit into my arms.

“What are your symptoms, Doctor?” I asked, before biting into my bottom lip—though it didn’t deter the smile.

Chapter 16

Ethan

The smile slowly spread across her face as her words sank in. I pushed her back onto her chair, wiping my brow with the back of my hand.

“Don’t move,” I growled.