Page 12 of The Love Penalty

“Why?” He shrugs. “I enjoyed it.”

“What?” I frown at his smirk. “No, you didn't. You hate me.”

He looks to the sky with a soft groan. “I do not hate you.”

“Well, you should,” I snap. “I hate you.”

And that's when everything playful and good and nice that we'd shared tonight disappears. It evaporates after my three little words and is quickly replaced with the old, familiar stoniness that Asher and I have been building our relationship on.

His eyebrows form a roller coaster as he gives me a skeptical frown. “You hate me?”

I should tell him no. I should admit how much I was enjoying that kiss, until…

No! I can't tell him anything!

I can't let my guard down like this. I have to be strong and in control.

So, despite the burning in my throat, I look him right in the eye and say it like I mean it. “Yes, I hate you. I have no idea what possessed me to kiss you. It was probably the win or something, but I quickly figured that it was the wrong thing to do. Because I hate you. And nothing you ever say or do will make me change my mind about that.”

His eyebrows pop high, and I may as well have just kicked him in the balls. A flash of pain darts across his expression before he evens it out to that pissed-off look he was wearing when we left Denver.

“Well, thanks for that shrute-tastic comment. Guess things are back to normal, then.” He stomps around his truck while I stay in my spot, still breathing like it's the only thing I'm capable of doing. “Let's go!” he barks, yanking open the back door for me.

I shuffle around to it, refusing to look at him while I slide into my seat and secure the belt around me.

He slams my door shut, then climbs in and slams his door shut, turning on the engine without a word and reversing out of his spot way too fast. “O Fortuna” starts blasting through the stereo. It gives me chills, but not in the inspired way I usually get when listening to this music.

It's like an operatic omen.

My relationship with Asher is doomed. Not that it ever could have been anything.

You sure about that?

I snap my eyes shut against the question.

It's doomed. I can't have it any other way.

I can't let myself go falling for a guy like him.

I can't let myself go falling for anybody.

I'm better off on my own.

CHAPTER 6

ASHER

I let the music play. I have to. It’s not like I can speak. If I do, I’ll end up spilling some filth that I might regret later.

She hates me?

She fucking hates me.

Well, that’s just great.

I experience a kiss that blows my head right off, and she slaps me for it.

I’m still reeling over her sweet taste while she’s telling me I’m not worthy of breathing the same air as her.