Nathan’s hands were around my waist, holding me in a dip position. His sparkling hazel eyes were sending me mixed signals. I wondered if our lips would touch as they did in the bathtub. I could still feel the tingles of his soft lips brushing against mine. Was he interested in me? Or was it a part of his sick games?
No! That twisted individual wasn’t worth my attention. He must have put something in the way after I had left. I didn’t expect him to play that dirty. I stood up and pushed his arms away from my waist. Upon scanning the room, I found a tall footstool to be the culprit behind that accident. I could feel the blood rush through my veins. That stool was close to Nathan’s bed the last time I checked.
I wished to throw my fists at that asshole, but then I noticed the mess. The food and broken pieces of glass and ceramic were everywhere. I made my first mistake in the first few hours of the challenge. Now, that merciless man would kick me out of the mansion without a second thought.
“I am so sorry. I was careful. That stool wasn’t there before. Someone must have put it there deliberately,” I indirectly called him out.
Nathan clicked his tongue. “Are you trying to place the blame on me? Because no one else was here but me.”
His fake display of innocence was making my blood boil. He knew what he had done, and I was sick of him. “We both know who put the footstool there.” I dropped the act of niceness. “I can’t play this game where you make all the rules, have the final say, and still cheat!” My courage baffled him, but I didn’t care about what he thought. He would fire me anyway, so I at least wanted to leave with my dignity and some peace of mind.
“Bravo!” Nathan applauded. “Now you’re back to your authentic self. I admire your honesty. Unfortunately, it takes more than that to make your place here. The rules were clear. One mistake will get you your termination letter. It was nice making your acquaintance.”
“Oh, please!” I almost yelled. “Have I ever had a chance? You try so hard to push everyone out of your life. If you had put half as much effort into finding inner peace and happiness, you wouldn’t be such an angry, petty man.” I removed my heels and threw them close to his feet. “I am out of here!”
Before I could walk away, Nathan grabbed my arm and pushed me against the wall. His intense stare studying my face was indecipherable. “You have crossed a line,” he began. “I have done worse to others, but none dared to insult me.”
“I salute them for their patience because I have suffered enough at the hands of jerks in this life,” I insulted him again.
Nathan pinned my hands above me, and his face came incredibly close to mine. In fear, I closed my eyes, expecting the worst. Our noses touched. Was he about to kiss me for being a bitch? “I may have less empathy than average, but I am fair. Let me give you a chance to stay as I am generous today.”
I opened my eyes to find his eyes uncomfortably close to mine. “What?” I asked.
As he moved his face away from me, he maintained a steady gaze. “Say you want me.”
What the heck? Was he kidding me, or was his fragile ego dying to hear that?
“Be serious,” I said. “I am in no mood for jokes.”
“Neither am I,” he replied with a dead serious look.
Embarrassment replaced my anger. I dropped my gaze to the floor. “Why do you want me to want you? I am a nobody for you.”
“Because I am very desirable… Just say it. Don’t test my patience,” he commanded in an oddly sexy way.
“Do you expect something to happen after I say it?” I asked confusedly.
Nathan rapidly covered the distance between our mouths, stopping less than an inch before they could touch. I couldn’t breathe out of shock. That man was an arrogant fool, but each time he came close to me, I froze without a clear reason.
“Only time will tell,” he replied with a smug smile.
“I will not feed your ego, not even for money. Give me another good reason to say that, and I will think about it,” I said, trying to release my wrists from his grip, but he wouldn’t let go. “You don’t spare a chance to come close to me. Are you in love with me or something?”
Nathan chuckled. “Love? What is that? Let me tell you a secret.” He moved his mouth close to my ear. “I have never experienced romantic love. No woman ever succeeded in stealing my heart, but now I want someone to steal it,” he whispered. What the heck did that madman mean by that?
“Then why do you keep pushing girls away? You have to give someone a chance to fall in love,” I spoke anxiously.
“I know. What can I do when no one piques my interest? They are all the same. My wealth attracts many, but why doesn’t my personality? Why doesn’t anyone want to learn about the real Nathan Sinclair? The one trapped between these walls. The one who gradually lost all his emotion and eventually himself,” he said.
Probably because he was the most unlikeable person I had ever met. I thought he was self-aware, but he was just another delusional jerk.
“You’re too difficult. You must show yourself authentically to be seen and heard. No one is a mind reader,” I answered.
Nathan’s finger landed on my lips. “Sh! Amelia, I want you to chase after my heart.” My eyebrows shot up. “I want you to love and seduce me. Try to make me feel things I have never felt before for anyone.” His breathy voice gave me tingles. “For the first time in a long time, I want someone to do this. I can’t guarantee that I would fall for you. But you’re already doing better than everyone else. I like you, Amelia Walter.”