Page 15 of Twisted Temptation

A psychopath. That’s who. A man who doesn’t need warmth and probably sleeps in a coffin. Or hangs upside down from a roof somewhere.

John Marco checks his phone, and whatever he sees makes his face light up. "Well, as much as I would love to stay and witness the thrilling next chapter of this love story⁠—"

"It's not a love story," Dante and I both say at the same time.

We look at each other. I refuse to look away. As does he.

John Marco clears his throat, and Dante’s gaze finally slides to him.

"As I was saying, I have to leave you two lovebirds to your own devices. I have a date tonight, and I have no intention of keeping him waiting." He steps into the elevator. "Dante, try not to be a complete nightmare. And, Sunny … good luck."

He presses the elevator button, the doors close, and he's gone.

Leaving me alone with him.

The evil twin.

Dante walks to the bar against the far wall and pours himself a drink.

"Your room is down the hall, third door on the left," he says, his back still to me.

“And your room?” I ask, praying it’s nowhere near mine.

“Next door to it,” he says.

Of course it is.

Meaning there will only be six inches of drywall between me and this lunatic when I’m asleep.

"The kitchen is through there." He gestures without turning. "Help yourself to whatever you want. The gym is on the floor below. The pool is beside it."

He turns and leans against the bar, glass of scotch in hand. The city glows behind him, and in the dim light he looks infuriatingly handsome.

"You have free rein of the entire penthouse," he continues. "Every room. Every floor. No restrictions."

I wait. Because there is always a but.

"Except one."

And there it is.

"The room in the far-left corner." His eyes find mine. "It stays locked. You don't go near it. You don't try the door. You don't ask about it."

"What's in it?"

"What did I just say?"

"You said don't ask about it. But look at me, I'm asking about it."

"And I'm telling you that room is not your concern."

I wrap my arms around myself. "So, you're giving me free rein of the penthouse except the one room you're specifically forbidding me from entering. Do you realize how that sounds?"

"Like a reasonable boundary."

"Like a setup."

He pauses with his glass halfway to his lips. "And how did you come to that conclusion?"