Page 177 of Embriagado

“You sound like a hyena,” I hissed, averting my gaze when he leaned into my space.

“As sexy as you are, mon poussin, not even I’m willing to take the risk of defrosting your heart.” He poked my chest before going back to his cigarette.

“Of course you wouldn’t. You’re a coward.”

He laughed, saying something about how only a man with a death wish would chase me.

Do I mean anything to you?

Somehow, Mr. Rivas’s odd question hadn’t left my mind. Not wanting to linger on it, I returned my attention to the party, zooming in on a couple making out inside the pool.

“We would have never worked to begin with,” I said, not bothering to take my eyes off them.

“And why’s that?”

They were getting riskier with each second, basically trying to eat each other out with how they were kissing so passionately.

“To start with, you smoke.”

He tossed the cigarette over the balcony. “Done.”

Not amused by his games, I shook my head. “We’re too alike in all the wrong ways.”

He turned back and leaned against the railing to face me. “Ain’t that the whole point?”

Leaving the couple alone, I eyed him, taking in every detail of his appearance. On the surface, he was an ideal choice for me when it came to finding a partner. He had the looks and the background, and the energy to make me interested, and yet⁠—

“Have I ever told you my philosophy about names?”

He shrugged, running his fingers through his dark, tousled hair. “Not yet.”

“I believe one can learn a lot about a person just from their name,” I said when he looked at me, amusement in his wicked eyes.

“Is that so?”

I hummed a yes.

“What’re you getting at, Ariyan?”

“I’m saying that the same as me, yours is fake.”

For a split second, I saw his mask slipping, but the bastard put it right back as he showed off his signature smile.

“And what about him?”

He didn’t need to say who he referred to, as I already knew.

“He’s different,” I said, not meeting his eyes.

“Different how?”

I’ll fight and win for you until you’re free. I promise, Ari. I won’t quit until you pay off that last fucking dime.

My chest tightened, a genuine smile threatening to take over my lips before I stepped closer to the safety railing.

“He has a strong heart.”

Dion snorted, the raspy sound bothering me.