Pleasure Extraordinaire 2 (PURSUIT) Read Online Free Page B

about her fair share of miscarriages
     before bringing five healthy kids into the world.
    After the dessert, Michael spends a few minutes at our table, discussing some work-related
     things about the construction project with Taylor and Adam, proving Edric correct
     about his workaholic attitude for talking about work during a party dedicated to his
     daughter. Then he takes me for a couple of rounds of dancing.
    I let myself relax in his arms as we swirl on the dance floor, marveling at his energy
     and enthusiasm. I wonder about his lover, whether he’s here among the guests, perhaps
     eyeing us with jealousy and resentment for not being able to dance with the man he
     loves and instead watching him in the arms of another person. Despite my curiosity,
     I don’t ask Michael about his lover, not wanting to deepen his wounds. It’s his night
     as a father; he should enjoy it to the full and not be reminded of what he’s missing
     in his life.
    I catch both Zane and Ace glaring at us more than a couple of times, but ignore their
     glowers. They’re nothing but two lost souls, taking extra pleasure from using people
     for their satisfaction without caring about if they hurt them in the process or not.
    I figure the best way to take revenge on egotistical brats is to behave as if they
     don’t exist and that their presence is no more significant than that of nonliving
     things. So, I just do exactly that. Whenever my eyes get caught with Zane’s, I laugh
     loudly at something Michael says and turn my gaze back to Michael, brushing off my
     thrumming heartbeats. If I accidentally encounter Ace’s death glint on me, I make
     it my purpose to not spend more than a few seconds before I land my eyes on something
     more interesting, say the empty glasses on a table or even the creamy texture of the
     walls, making sure to not display any emotion on my face.
    Yet, my ploy seems to have its limits, because when Ace comes forth and requests the
     next dance from Michael—and Michael happily complies—I can’t keep my regard emotionless
     and distant. Not when he’s so close and exhaling his hot breath on my face. Not when
     he’s holding my hand so tightly as if promising me he’ll never let me go. Not when
     the grip of his fingers on my hip sends jolts of electricity all over my body.
    Ahh, fuck the Hawkins brothers. I was more satisfied with my life before them, without
     having any man in my life, than now with two men attempting to get me on all fours
     at the first opportunity.
    “Have you sworn off talking to me?” Ace asks after a long minute of silence.
    “I usually keep my interaction with liars to the bare minimum,” I retort, scowling
     to channel my loathing to him, and it seems it’s working because his usually blank
     face is beaming with a hint of uneasiness. Good.
    “I didn’t lie to you.”
    I roll my eyes in effect, dropping my gaze to his chest to keep my boiling anger in
     control, for if I continue looking at his hypocritical face, I might just throw up.
    “I deserve some benefit of doubt,” he claims.
    “Not when someone came close to getting hurt because of you.”
    “What can I do to make you believe that it wasn’t my idea to apply coconut on you,
     and I just did what was requested?”
    I shake my head and shrug my shoulders. “It’s a hopeless case for you because there’s
     nothing you can do to make me believe you unless you prove it. If you can’t, I suggest
     you not tire yourself with empty words.”
    “Look at me. Look at my eyes.” He pulls his hand that’s holding my hip and reaches
     for my chin to lift my gaze up at his face. “It’s not the first time Zane had a client
     over at PE. In fact, he’s been working as an external contractor for longer than three
     months, and I’ve done nothing to sabotage his work or his health. I’d never do anything
     dangerous to my employees, not even if he’s the brother I have and hate.” His eyebrows
     rise and his eyes grow