Chapter 417

Everett Sinclair froze mid-step.

Rosalind Fairchild batted her long lashes at him. "Does this make me your girlfriend now?"

Everett went completely still.

She pressed closer, her voice dripping with innocence. "Only couples do what we just did. So... are we official?"

Her words hit like ice water, dousing the fire raging inside him. With deliberate slowness, he tried to pull away, straightening his posture.

Rosalind's arms snaked around his neck, yanking him back. Her plump lips formed a perfect pout. "What's this? You kiss me then act like nothing happened? Are you playing with me?"

Everett's throat worked as he fought the intoxicating scent of her skin. "I apologize."

The words struck Rosalind like a physical blow. Was he rejecting her?

Her eyes shimmered with hurt. "You don't feel anything for me?"

Silence.

Rosalind leaned in until their noses almost touched. "Tell me what's wrong with me. Not pretty enough? Not sweet enough? I'll change whatever you want."

Everett tried to pry her hands loose, but she clung tighter.

"Everett Sinclair, I'm crazy about you," she declared, voice trembling with sincerity.

His jaw clenched.

Her boldness was breathtaking - fearless in laying her heart bare. She wanted him, no games, no pretenses.

The dying embers inside Everett roared back to life. Just then, blinding light flooded the elevator as the doors screeched open.

A technician grinned at them. "All fixed! You kids can come out now."

Rosalind sprang back like she'd been burned.

Everett turned to leave.

Something soft brushed his palm. Rosalind's small hand slipped into his, fingers intertwining.

Everett stiffened.

The technician chuckled. "Young love, eh? You two make a cute couple."

"Damn right he's my boyfriend!" Rosalind chirped before Everett could react.

Speechless, he let her drag him out.

Outside the hotel, Everett hailed a cab. Rosalind climbed in after him.

He shot her a look. "I'm going home. Why are you following me?"

Her smile could power cities. "You said you were drugged. I can help."

His voice turned gravelly. "You know how to handle that?"

"I'm an excellent student," she purred, eyes sparkling with mischief and something purer. "Teach me."

The image of her engagement to Julian Blackwood flashed through his mind. The words tumbled out before he could stop them. "Didn't your ex teach you?"

Instant regret. Since when did he care about other people's pasts?

Rosalind didn't flinch. "Ugh, don't mention that creep! We never even held hands." She wrinkled her nose like she'd smelled something foul.

Everett turned to stare out the window.

Thirty minutes later, the cab pulled up to Everett's dilapidated neighborhood.

"Everett, you're back!" Margaret Sinclair called out.

Lillian Sinclair spotted Rosalind and squealed. "Rosalind! You came to visit!"