Jasmine’s Reviews > The Dirty Duet > Status Update

“I live my life so that it’s an impossibility. So that there is no chance that someone will get that close, and I’m not changing that for anyone. Not even for you.” He pointed an aggressive finger in my direction. “Especially not for you.”

“I haven’t slept with anyone else either,” I confessed.

“I know.” He grinned as he devoured a piece of Gouda.

“You’re so cocky.”

“I’m perceptive.”

“Canceling dinner”

“Why?”

“You’re an asshole.”

“Neither new nor relevant. Dinner is still on.”

“I didn’t want Weston. I’d never wanted Weston. The most attractive thing about Weston was that I’d believed he could keep me from Donovan.”

“Completely innocent. I promise. We aren’t the only people here. What could I possibly do to you?”

What could he do to me? What a loaded question. He could torture me completely in front of a crowd of people, and no one would ever know. He tortured me completely all the time without even being in the same room with me, and he didn’t know it.

“I’m not sure if you meant that as a compliment, but I am sure it’s sexual harassment.”

Donovan’s mouth lifted into a slow grin. “Oh, but sexual harassment used to be our thing.”

It pissed me off to a new level. I slapped him so hard my palm burned.

Donovan rubbed his cheek, and his eyes sparked. “Is this how you fought off Theo?” he asked, evenly.

“No,” I said tentatively. Something shifted between us.

“Fight me like you fought him.”

“He wasn’t ever what I’d call friendly before that, but he’s harder now. Sharper too. In some ways I think he’s become a better businessman, if that makes sense.”

“Of course I wanted to press charges. Except… I thought about it again. Went quickly through the scenario—white rich boy accused of assault by a nobody girl. Alcohol involved. No actual rape. Scholarship at risk. There was no way this would end in my favor, as much as I wanted it to.”

“I got it. He had the power. I did not. Lesson learned. Lesson fucking learned.”