Fortunes' Women: Mistress of Fortune

“Don’t touch me.” She brushed his hand away. “Don’t ever touch me again.”

“Sasha, sweetheart, you don’t mean that.”

“Yes, I do.” She took a deep breath as she forced herself to push the all-consuming emotional pain aside and dig deep within her soul to muster the last scrap of her tattered pride. “How could you have such little regard for my feelings? Did you even think of what it would do to me when I discovered that you were using me to get back at Creed?”

“If you’ll let me explain—”

“I don’t want to hear your excuses, Blake.” She shook her head. “You win?” she quoted him. “I think that more than sums up the reasons behind your sudden interest in me, don’t you?” Sasha held out her hand to Blake. “I’d like my apartment key back, please.”

He reluctantly placed it in her hand. “It doesn’t have to end this way, Sasha.”

“Too late, Blake. It’s already over.” She glanced from one man to the other through her gathering tears. “I want nothing more to do with either of you.” Knowing she was seconds away from losing the last of her control, she added, “Now, feel free to resume your shouting match. But I would appreciate you taking it elsewhere. I have no desire to listen to anything more that either of you have to say.”

Her heart breaking, Sasha entered her apartment and closed the door behind her. Shaking uncontrollably, she leaned back against it, then covering her face with her hands, sank to the floor as she released the torrent of tears she’d been holding at bay. How could she have been so stupid? Why hadn’t she been able to see past Blake’s handsome face and charming smile to the coldhearted man inside?

She should have known there was more behind his excuse than just wanting to get to know her better. He’d had ample opportunity in the four years she’d worked at Dakota Fortune to strike up an acquaintance with her. But he hadn’t bothered to look her way. At least, not until Creed had asked her to help him keep the fortune-hunting women in search of a great catch at arm’s length by accompanying him to various events.