Chapter 146

Vivian Laurent leaned against the headboard, a slender cigarette between her fingers.

Smoke curled around her as she studied Ethan Roscente through half-lidded eyes.

The man who'd been a starving wolf last night now looked every inch the polished CEO.

"What's this?" She blew a smoke ring with a mocking laugh. "Mr. Roscente taking responsibility?"

Ethan adjusted his cufflinks, his gaze lingering on the red marks along her collarbone.

"You were a virgin." His voice was deep.

The cigarette trembled in Vivian's fingers, ashes scattering on the silk sheets.

"Bullshit!" She sat up abruptly. "I've slept with more men than you've ever laid eyes on!"

A smirk played on Ethan's lips.

He bent to pick up the bunny ear headband from the floor, twirling it around his finger.

"That's not what you said last night."

Vivian's face flushed crimson.

She hurled a pillow at him. "Get out!"

Ethan caught it effortlessly and tossed it onto the sofa.

"Get dressed." He checked his watch. "The registry office opens at nine."

Vivian blinked. Had she heard him right?

"Have you lost your mind? We've only been divorced for three months!"

Ethan straightened his tie, his eyes unreadable behind his glasses.

"Perfect. Saves us the waiting period."

Her hands shook with rage.

Wrapping the sheet around herself, she stepped onto the carpet barefoot.

"Ethan Roscente, do you think sleeping with me means you have to marry me?" Her laugh was bitter. "This isn't the dark ages!"

Ethan closed the distance between them in one stride.

He caged her against the wall, his breath warm on her face.

"Then why were you a virgin?"

Vivian turned her face away.

"None of your damn business!"

Ethan gripped her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze.

"Marry me." His voice was rough. "Now."

She slapped his hand away.

"In your dreams! Consider last night a dog bite and get the hell out!"

Ethan straightened his suit jacket.

"You have three days to decide."

At the door, he paused and held up the bunny ears.

"Oh," he said, "I'm keeping these."

Vivian grabbed the ashtray and threw it.

The door clicked shut just in time. The ashtray hit the wood with a dull thud.

She collapsed onto the floor and reached for her phone.

Texted her best friend: "I slept with Ethan Roscente."

The reply came instantly: "??? You finally bagged him?"

Vivian typed furiously: "He bagged me!"

Another vibration.

"So...remarriage?"

She tossed the phone onto the bed.

In the bathroom mirror, the evidence of last night covered her skin.

As hot water streamed down, Ethan's words echoed in her mind.

"Vivian," he'd whispered against her ear, "let's start over."

She scrubbed her skin until it turned red.

"Bastard..."

Steam fogged the mirror, hiding the tears on her cheeks.