Page 85 of Cruel Obsession

“What? I’m just filling in the blanks.” She grins, then sobers. “Seriously, though. Is he treating you right? Because if this guy is taking advantage of you—”

“He’s not,” I interrupt. The certainty in my voice surprises even me. “It’s mutual. Very mutual.”

“Good.” Diane relaxes back into the couch. “So what’s he like? Apart from being rich enough to have live-in staff.”

God. What can I tell her? That he’s dangerous and possessive and that his touch sets me on fire and terrifies me in equal measure?

“He’s intense,” I say finally. “Complicated. Kind of controlling, but not in a bad way.”

“So he ties you up,” Diane smirks.

“Oh, my God!” I roll my eyes so hard they almost come out of my head.

“Okay, okay. I’m just messing with you.” Diane studies me. “You really like him, don’t you?”

The question catches me off guard. Do I? More than like, if I’m honest. But I don’t think I’m ready to delve into exactly how much right now.

“Yeah,” I admit quietly. “I really do.”

“Does he know?”

I shake my head. “I don’t think so. We don’t exactly have heart-to-hearts.”

“But you have other things?” Diane waggles her eyebrows suggestively.

“You’re impossible.”

“I’m interested. There’s a difference.” She leans forward conspiratorially. “Come on, at least tell me if he’s super-hot. Give me something to work with here.”

Despite myself, I laugh. “He’s… yeah. He’s hot.”

“Scale of one to ten?”

“Diane.”

“Humor me.”

I think of Arkady—the sharp angles of his face, those ice-blue eyes that smolder when they track over me, the way his shirt stretches across his shoulders. The tattoos I’ve traced with my fingers in the dark.

“Eleven,” I admit.

Diane whistles low. “Damn, girl. No wonder you’re glowing.”

“I’m not glowing.”

“You totally are. You’ve got that just-been-thoroughly-satisfied look about you.” She grins wickedly. “When’s the last time you two…?”

“I’m not answering that.”

“So recently. Got it.” She settles back, looking far too pleased with herself. “You know what? Good for you. It’s about time you found someone who makes you happy.”

“It’s not exactly sunshine and rainbows,” I say carefully. “There’s a lot I can’t tell you. The NDA isn’t just about his house—it’s about his whole life. His privacy.”

“Mysterious and hot. Even better.” Diane grabs a handful of crisps from the bowl on the coffee table. “He’s definitely got you wearing one of those French maids’ outfits.”

“Diane!” I grab a cushion and throw it at her. “You’re obsessed.”

“I’m creative. There’s a difference.” She catches the cushion and hugs it to her chest. “Seriously, though, Mira. I’m happy for you. You’ve been working yourself to death, and you deserve something good. Even if it is with your billionaire boss in his secret mansion.”