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Hugh stood at Gabrielle’s door an hour later with a bouquet of red roses and a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon. “My god.” His eyes glazed over. “You’re stunning.”
She groaned, holding the door. “I’m wearing sweatpants and a tank top.”
“You’d look great in anything.” He handed her the gifts and entered. “I hope you like Cabernet Sauvignon.”
“Uh...” She studied the bottle. “What the hell is this for?”
“It’s a special occasion.” He walked around the living room, sniffing. “What a charming place. It has your touch.”
She set the wine and flowers on the table. “This isn’t the occasion for wine and flowers.”
Hugh seized her, trapping her lips between his.
“Mm!” She shoved at him as he wrapped his arms around her, forcing her in place.
He tore his lips from hers, face red. “I knew you wanted me.”
“What the...?” She struggled to free herself. “Let go of me!”
“What?” He kissed her again, causing her lips to go numb. “Still playing hard to get?” He pushed her on the couch and got on top of her.
“Hugh, what are you...” She whipped her head back and forth, as he tried to kiss her. “Are you insane? Get off me.” She yanked his hair.
“Ow.” He got up. “What the hell’s the matter with you?”
“Me?” She stood, fixing her top. “I’m not the one with the problem here.” She wiped the remnants of his kisses from her mouth.
“You serious?” He fixed the collar of his shirt. “Shit, you called me over here. I thought you were giving me the green light.”
“I’m not giving you no damn green light you moron.” She rushed to the other side of the room and stood beside the entertainment system. “I called you here to confront your ass.”
“About what?”
“Don’t play dumb with me.”
He rubbed his hair in place. “What the fuck are you talking about?”
“You know what I’m talking about.” She grabbed a pillow from the two-seater and hit him with it. “You sleazy piece of shit.”
“Stop.” He ducked, covering his head. “Tell me what the hell I did.”
Gabrielle hit him as he ran across the room. “You low-life, sexist, two-faced, disgusting, arrogant, sex-crazed lunatic.”
“Give me that.” He snatched the pillow and threw it across the room. “Are you crazy?”
“You...you...” She curled her fingers in his face. “I want to scratch your eyes out I’m so mad. You manipulated me. You’re a business partner with Iris International. Admit it!”
“Yeah, so?”
“You never told me!” She hit his arm.
“I’m confused as shit right now.” He raised his arms. “Why would I have to tell you who my business partners are?”
“I’m sure you heard I’m the spokesmodel now.” She tapped her foot.
“And?”
“I’m supposed to believe you had nothing to do with it?”
“I didn’t even know Iris signed you until they announced it in the press.”
“I wouldn’t believe your ass if you said the earth was round.” She got the pillow off the floor and placed it back on the two-seater.
“That’s good because it’s not round.” He massaged his neck. “It’s flat.”
She balled fists. “I want you to admit you manipulated this situation.”
“I swear I had nothing to do with it.” He fidgeted, switching his gaze to the floor. “I wouldn’t have dared told them to hire you because I knew you’d be mad if I had something to do with it.”
“Look me in the face and say it.” She stood in front of him. “You can’t because you’re lying.” She pushed him. “You made Iris International give me a contract. Tell the truth for once in your sorry life.” She lunged at him. “Tell me.”
“All right. I might’ve suggested that they offer you a contract, but they decided.”
“All because of you.” She swung her hand at him. “They probably wouldn’t have looked my way if not for you.”
“That’s not true.”
“Jesus.” She shoved her head into her palms. “Do you realize how embarrassing this is?”
“You have nothing to be embarrassed about.” He reached for her then dropped his arms. “Gabby, if they weren’t interested then nothing in the world would’ve made them sign you.”
“Am I supposed to be grateful that you finagled this behind my back?”
“I was hoping you’d be flattered.” He rolled his eyes. “Guess I got that wrong, huh?”
“You can’t keep doing this. My life isn’t a board game you can control. You have no right to be in my business.”
“I have every right because I care about you.”
“You only want one thing.” She pointed a shaky finger at him. “I’m getting that restraining order. Get out!” She went into the kitchen.
He traipsed in behind her. “I’ve never met someone so ungrateful in my life.”
She got a cup from the cabinet and filled it with tap water. “Eat me.”
“I wish.” He stood by the island, grinning. “However it happened, you got a deal with Iris International so you owe me.”
She exhaled between sips. “I don’t owe you a damn thing but a kick in the ass.”
“I didn’t do this to get you into bed, Gabrielle.”
“Right.”
“If this doesn’t prove that I’m in love with you, what would?”
“How can you be in love with me when you don’t know me?” She spread her arms. “You’re in love with a fantasy I present, but I’m not a fantasy, Hugh. I’m a human being, and you have no right to control me.” She crossed her arms, bowing her head. “I never wanna see you again.”
“Tough because it’s gonna be hard not to see the guy whose movie you’re starring in.”
“What?”
“I meant what I said in my office. We belong together. I’ll do whatever it takes to have you.”
She did her best not to jump across that island and strangle him. “Meaning?”
“You signed a contract with Iris International.” His mouth formed a conniving grin. “That means you signed one with me.”
She raced from behind the island. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“Did you read your contract?” He touched her hair. “Or were you so anxious to sign you skipped that step? See, Iris and I are a packaged deal. When you signed the contract, you agreed to do the movie.”
“You’re crazy.” She shuddered. “You can’t make me be in your movie.”
“Oh, yes I can.” He nodded. “A contract’s a contract.”
“You son of a—”
“Who’s the desperate one now?” He placed his hand on her back. “It seems shady but you’re gonna thank me in the long run.”
“Get out.” She slapped him. “Get out of my house and out of my life.”
“Ain’t happening, sweetie.”
“I’m not doing your film and you can kiss the crack of my black ass.”
He patted her cheek. “You wanna be sued for millions bringing you even more embarrassment? I think not. I can’t wait to work with you.” He cackled. “I hope we put in a lot of long hours.”
“Go to hell.” She shoved him out the kitchen. “No one makes me do what I don’t want. I’ll be the spokesmodel for Iris International, but I won’t be in your film. I’m getting my lawyers on this.”
“Fine.” He sauntered across the living room, toward the front door. “We’ll set up a meeting if you want but it’ll be a waste of time.”
“You’re a waste of a human being.”
“Ouch.” He touched his chest, flinching as if she’d stabbed him in the heart. “You won’t win this battle, Gabrielle.” He opened the door, backing into the hallway. “Might as well surrender and realize the blessings you’ve been offered.” He blew a kiss.
“Get out!” She raced toward him, swinging fists.
He left.
She punched the door. “Asshole.”