Descent (Black Heart Romance presents Heaven & Hell)

totally not his girlfriend,’ but now that I’m your captive or whatever, he’s just… he’s not going to
believe me.”
“It doesn’t matter,” he states.
“You don’t care if he thinks your girlfriend is a trifling ho-bag and you’re being made a fool of?”
“No,” he says simply. “Unless there’s a reason to, perhaps a business merger or something of
that nature, I never concern myself with what other people think of me.”
“Why not?”
“Because I don’t care,” he answers simply. Opening the refrigerator, he takes out a pitcher and
grabs a spotless glass from the cupboard. “Hollis is on his way to keep an eye on you today. It won’t
always be like that, but this is obviously new and I can’t trust you yet.”
in.
I think it’s funny that he’s the one who thinks he can’t trust me.
He places the crystal glass of orange juice down in front of me. As a matter of habit, I thank him.
I feel a pinch of annoyance immediately after the fact, but it’s not as if I can reel the words back
He smiles faintly without looking at me as he grabs a second glass and pours a glass for himself.
It’s not nearly as full as mine. It’s as if he’s used to pouring alcohol, so he measures it out the same
way. “So polite.”
“Yes, well, some of us are taught to have manners.” It’s a stupid snipe, but I’m mad at him about
so many things and I just want to lash out about something.
He deflects my blow easily, turning back to look at me as he takes a slow sip of orange juice. “I
know. That’s why you’re so easy to take advantage of.”
My spine stiffens at the barbed comment and my chest seems to contract the tiniest bit.
Before I can summon a response, Calvin says, “Let’s not do this, hm? We can jab at each other
all day, but I’ll win, and that certainly won’t endear me to you.”
“You think anything can at this point?” I ask in mild disbelief.
“I do.”
I shake my head. “You’re insane.”
“Perhaps.” He doesn’t seem all that concerned as he throws back the juice like it’s whiskey, then
sets the empty glass on the counter. He turns his wrist just slightly and checks his watch. “I have to
leave now, unfortunately. I’ll be home for dinner.” Looking back at me with a knowing smile, he adds,
“Try not to miss me too much.”
Yeah, right.