Descent (Black Heart Romance presents Heaven & Hell)

Shaking off the errant thought, I swallow the wine and put the goblet down so I can get back to
my incredible dessert.
Even though it’s insane to be able to ignore such a decadent dessert, Calvin doesn’t seem as
interested in it as I am. He leaves it untouched on the table, his attention focused on me instead.
“I’d like to take you out again next weekend,” he states. “We can have dinner, see a show. You
like Broadway?”
My lips curve up slightly. I don’t look at him. “Yes, I do, but I’m not going on another date with
you. We’ve already discussed this.”
“We have, but remember what I said the first time we spoke about me not accepting answers I
don’t like?”
“I do,” I answer. “I also remember me agreeing to just one more date. They were even your
terms.”
“Just because that contract is up doesn’t mean we can’t negotiate a new one,” he states, like this
is a business deal instead of… whatever it is.
“Unfortunately for you, I’m not interested in the position,” I say lightly.
“Unfortunately for you, I’m not interested in anyone else,” he states immovably.
I scoop up another bite of delicious dessert and bring it to my mouth. As I chew, I meet his gaze
across the table. I can see it in his eyes, an unwillingness to relent. It’s not even a possibility in his
mind that this will be our last night together.
I don’t want to challenge him. I can sense that’s the wrong move. But I can’t spend any more time
with him, either. It would be crazy.
Rather than rebuff him outright, I try a different tack. “I don’t understand why you’re even so
interested in me, to be honest. Surely you have your pick of just about any other woman you want. You
have plenty to offer.”
His lips tug up, but with hardly any amusement. “I know what I have to offer. I also know what I
want, and right now, it’s you. It’s not like you have to agree to marry me, just a few more dates. Save
yourself the trouble and say yes now, before I have to put in more effort.”
I shake my head. “I appreciate you arranging this date tonight and I won’t forget it. I won’t forget
you, obviously,” I murmur, though less to appease him this time and more because I realize the
permanence he will have in my memory. Some memories fade, but others have staying power. You
can forget the man you had a bad date with, or even the man you had a great date with, but the man
who does the things to you that this one has done to me…
He’ll be sticking with me, all right.
Bastard.