Lahat ng Kabanata ng The Duchess's Game of Seduction: Kabanata 71 - Kabanata 80

Rick was lounging lazily in one of Adrian's armchairs, a beer in hand, listening to Nathan recount a story about a politician on the island throwing herself at him. Suddenly the door to Adrian's suite burst open so violently it slammed against the wall.Dante stormed in, his face flushed red with fury, his hair disheveled as if he'd been running his hands through it. His dark eyes immediately locked onto Rick with an intensity that made the room's temperature seem to drop several degrees."You lying piece of shit!" Dante roared, pointing an accusatory finger at Rick.The conversation in the room died instantly. Nathan nearly choked on his drink, Gabriel sat up straighter in his chair, and Adrian's face went pale behind his glasses."Dante, what the hell..." Nathan started, but Dante cut him off sharply. "Don't you dare try to defend him!" Dante's voice was raw with anger now. "This bastard has been playing us all for fools!"Rick remained perfectly still, his expression unreadable as

Valerie stared at Dante, her patience wearing dangerously thin. Every second he stood there was another second Rick might appear, and she absolutely could not have them both in her hallway at the same time. Her fingers gripped the door handle so tightly her knuckles went white."Where the hell is Rick?" she thought frantically, her eyes darting past Dante to scan the empty corridor."Valerie?" Dante's voice cut through her mental questions. "I asked you a question. You said you weren't feeling well, but you look..." His gaze swept over her emerald dress again, lingering on the way it hugged her curves. "You look absolutely stunning."That snapped her back to reality, and the fury that had been simmering within her finally erupted."I AM sick," she hissed, her voice low and venomous. "I know my body system, and when I say I'm sick, I definitely mean it. Please leave now. I need my privacy."Dante's mouth opened, clearly intending to argue, but Valerie cut him off before he could speak.

Valerie's eyes fluttered open to the soft morning light streaming in from the window. For a moment, she felt disoriented, her body deliciously sore in places that reminded her of last night. Then reality crashed back - Rick. They'd actually done it. He'd actually dedicated his time giving her the most incredible night of her life.She turned her head, expecting to find the sheets empty beside her, but there he was, his dark hair tousled against the white pillow, his breathing deep and even in sleep.Her heart did something strange - a little flutter that she quickly suppressed. This was not supposed to happen. Rick was never meant to stay. His constant cold attitude towards her was enough to send him running, especially after she'd gotten what she wanted from him.But yet, here he was. Shocking her into silence once again.She propped herself up on her elbow, studying his face in the morning light. His strong jaw was relaxed, the usual cold lines gone from his features. His thick lash

Valerie opened her mouth, but no words came out. She was drowning in his eyes, lost in the intensity of his gaze, and for a moment she forgot what she wanted to say. The air between them crackled with tension, and she felt her mouth going dry with lack of words. Rick had to clear his throat before she caught herself, blinking rapidly as reality crashed back in."How... how are you doing?" she asked weakly, immediately cringing at how pathetic she sounded."I'm fine," he replied curtly, his voice giving nothing away.She nodded, fidgeting with her hands. "And work? How's work going?"Rick's jaw tightened, and something dangerous flashed in his green eyes. "Is that why you came here, Valerie? To make small talk about my job?"His voice was sharp enough to cut glass, and she flinched. He wasn't going to make this easier for her, she realized. Not even a little bit."No," she said quickly, taking a shaky breath. "I came to apologize. About that morning, I mean. I shouldn't have spoken to

The Jessica lady was smoothing down her hair, adjusting her clothes in a way that left no doubt about what she'd been doing inside.Valerie felt something cold and vicious unleash in her chest. Jealousy. Pure, burning jealousy that took her completely by surprise with its intensity.She watched Jessica get into a small red car and drive away, her taillights disappearing into the night. Only then did she allow herself to breathe.Her hands were shaking as she got out of her car and walked up the stairs towards Rick's front door. She didn't knock - she pounded, her fist releasing some of the fury building inside her.Rick opened the door, wearing nothing but jeans, his hair disheveled, his lips slightly swollen. The sight of him - obviously fresh from Jessica's bed - made Valerie's vision blur with rage."Valerie?" He looked genuinely surprised to see her. "What are you doing here?""What am I doing here?" she repeated, her voice dangerously quiet. "What do you think I'm doing here?"Ri