Chapter 60
Evelyn’s POV
I can’t move as Kane’s face comes closer, completely frozen in place as my heart wildly pounds in my chest. I’m sure he can sense it, but he’s not deterred.
Somehow everything seems to slow down despite how my mind moves at one hundred miles per hour. I’m stuck in a spin, so caught off guard that Kane wants to kiss me.
And even more caught off guard that I haven’t pulled away. That I haven’t stopped him.
Maybe it’s the wine we had or I’m still caught up in our conversations that weren’t just civil but even…lovely. As I replay it in my head, I realize we’d managed to go a full hour without arguing – a new record.
Or maybe…maybe I’ve completely just lost my mind.
Because even as I feel Kane’s breath brush against my lips, I don’t pull away. Something in me is stupidly accepting… willing. All reason empties from my head as my eyelashes flutter and my eyes begin to shut. I part my lips, readying to meet him.
But then the world goes bright as a bright light flashes from my right. And then it flashes again.
Startled, I swiftly pull back from Kane, my head snapping in the direction of the flash as I notice a paparazzi standing there. He wears a wormy smile, seeming pleased with himself. Lips parting, I look from him to Kane to the table and then back to the paparazzi.
All at once, my head stops spinning as my sense of logic and reason abruptly come back to me. My heart continues to race, but replaced with anger rather than surprise.
This was a set up.
The date proposition, the fancy dinner, Kane being tolerable for once, and the way he leaned in. It had all been a ploy so we’d kiss for the paparazzi so they could spread the photo and some wild headline, most likely.
“We didn’t kiss,” I state aloud, the words aimed at the paparazzi. But really, the statement is more for me, as if reassuring myself with the truth and Kane’s failed mission.
The paparazzi laughs, turning the camera to show me the photo on his screen. “Don’t think that matters, lady. It looks like ya did to me.”
Sure enough, there’s a photo of Kane and me. And it does look like we’re kissing. The vase of flowers on our table blocks our mouths, but based on the way our eyes are closed and Kane’s face is less than an inch from mine, it does the trick.
Fuck.
I turn from the paparazzi, looking at Kane instead. He’s expressionless as he meets my gaze. I know what reflects in my eyes – betrayal and anger, And yet, there’s not an ounce of regret on his face.
“What is going on?” I ask him in a whisper, the words coming out between my teeth.
Kane shrugs. So unbothered, so fucking satisfied with himself.
I shake my head at him.
“You set this up,” I toss at him. “How dare you.
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Out of all the things Kane has done to me, this somehow feels the cruelest. He could have at least told me what he was planning instead of using me like a prop.
Kane scoffs then, shaking his head. “What did you expect, little wolf?” he murmurs. “Did you really think I was going to kiss you?”
I scowl at him, hating his mocking words.
His smirk continues to grow.
“I’m not that desperate,” he tells me. “This is all just for survival.”
Kane’s POV
I can see the flash of hurt that comes over Evelyn’s face, but she’s quick to dismiss it. However, she does slowly stand from her chair, trying not to make a scene as she grabs her bag. And then she gives me a tight smile, something behind it vicious and threatening.
“Good to know,” she states. “Well, then I’ll see you at home, honey.” She then turns and walks away from the table, not looking back once.
My eyes follow her as she goes, my jaw rolling as I let the aloof expression drop my face. I almost jump up to go after her, but stop myself. Why the fuck would I run after her?
I should be ecstatic that my plan worked out, even just satisfied. But I’m not overcome with either emotion. Instead, I’m indifferent. Empty.
It’s clear that I’ve upset Evelyn, I’d expected her to be annoyed with me, but I hadn’t expected her to look hurt. There was no denying that I’d ruined dinner, which had been strangely…nice. Up until the incident.
Thanter 19
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