Undeniably Enemies (Boston's Irresistible Billionaires #5)

by J. Saman

Yes. But I was very young and insanely naïve and didn’t know you were such an asshole. You can’t hold it against me. The hot older brother’s best friend trope is real.”

“Something about you made me think you’d love being punished under the right circumstances.”

“Oh, and just so you know, since you told me you think I’m scary hot. You’re fucking gorgeous. Makeup, no makeup, whatever.”

“Just be careful with her. She’s fragile and doesn’t understand that poison can taste sweet when served just right.”

“Oh my gosh! You guys should totally join us,” Keegan exclaims, and I’m ready to strangle my cousin. She’s family. I can do that, and her parents and twin will still have to love me. Because what the fuck, Keegan?! Is she kidding me?

“If you were mine, Cinderella, I’d take you over my knee and spank your beautiful ass red for intentionally being a brat and disobeying me.”

Me: Don’t text me again. Wren: I won’t, but you should probably stop thinking about me so much. Good luck with that. I’m irresistible. Me: Unfortunately, beautiful girl, I’m starting to learn that the hard way. Good night, Wren.

“Sweetheart, the last thing I’m doing is judging. I’m too busy trying to decide if I want to tie you up and use them on you until you come so many times you pass out or sit back and watch you do it yourself.”

“I mean it, Jack. I’ll be civil with you, but I don’t like the line we’ve flirted with. I will not be anyone’s regret again.” His eyes vacillate between mine, an opera’s worth of emotions flickering over his features. He opens his mouth but quickly closes it, and finally, after a long beat, nods in what almost appears like defeat. He turns to return to his apartment, but before he shuts the door, I hear him say, “I never regretted you. It was everything else I didn’t know how to handle.”

“I’ve decided brunch tomorrow works better.” “What?” Wren cries out from her bedroom. “Why? I’m almost ready.” “Because our hot new neighbor is here to return the bracelet you left at his place last night. But you take your time getting ready, girl. It’s good to make a man wait.” “Just take the bracelet and shut the door in his face,”

“You have your safe word. Now let’s see if I can make you use it.”

I like her fight, but I love her surrender.

He might have just ruined me—and I have no illusions he did—but I’ll ruin him in return. I’ll be sore, but he will be too. I’ll feel him all week, but I’ll haunt him for years.

Sometimes all wrong leads to the right happily ever after.”

“Nothing happened.” “But that man wants you, and did you see the bulge in his track shorts? That is no joke dick.”

“Honey, I am a giant gay man. I am not who should be welcoming him.” I roll my eyes. “You welcomed me.” “With wine and cupcakes.” I smile wryly. “Now you know why we’re friends. And he’s already met you and thinks you’re just as fabulous as you are, so cut the shit.” My hand pans toward the door across the hall. “He could be the love of your life.” He gives me an unimpressed look. “The love of my life is built like Zeus and fucks like Hades.”

It’s so easy for her to say goodbye to me, and for me, it’s the fight of my life.

“I was benching like two of you.” “Too bad that we’re just friends or I’d let you bench me for real.” My jaw drops and my dick jerks, liking that idea far too much.

“I’ve tried to let you go so many times, but I can’t. I’m done with this bullshit. I’m done pretending I don’t want you every second of every minute of every hour of every day. I can’t let you go. Now let me take you home. Let me take care of you.”

“Yes, she’s my neighbor now. Or didn’t you know?” Layla snorts out a laugh, clearly thinking what everyone else thinks about this. “No, I didn’t know, and the fact that you not only haven’t killed each other yet, but you’re taking her home, makes me not only believe unicorns could be real, but that there can be peace for all in this world.”

“It’s already too late for me. Wren, I love you. I do. I’ve loved you for…” He trails off with a half-chuckle. “Fuck, I think I’ve loved you since that night at the party. I loved you even when I shouldn’t have. Even when I swore I hated you. It’s a love I haven’t come back from, and I know I never will. It’s a love that no longer gives a fuck about anything but you.”

Now that I know I can stop him. Now that I know how he truly feels and that I am safe with him, hopefully this panic becomes part of my past and no longer a part of my present. In its place will be strength, conviction, and love. A love I still don’t know how it will work, but I have to trust him. Just as he said.

I’ve been obsessed with you for five years. Only a total masochist would fall for a woman who hates him so entirely.”

“Rub your clit, baby. I want your lips on mine and your moans down my throat when you come.”

“Love you, my beautiful Wren. My perfect Cinderella. The prize I never thought I’d win.” His eyes find mine. “Not in a million years did I think you’d be mine.” I tilt my head and throw him a saucy look. “Who said I am?” A smile spreads across his lips, and he swats my ass. “Fucking brat.” He lands a hard kiss on my lips. “Who said I was giving you a choice?”

“You really love me?” “I really love you. Probably a bit too much.” “No such thing. It’s always the best when the guy loves you more than you love him.”

“Your heart is my end piece. My checkmate. The place I’d like to start calling home if you’d let me.”

“You had me at romance books.”

“You’re sure about this?” I ask Jack as we stroll into the bookstore in the Prudential Mall, three hours after he bought us breakfast. Yes, I hate to admit it, but I lost. First time he didn’t let me win either. “Why wouldn’t I be?” he asks even as he throws me a questioning look. “I’m just saying, once you start down this road, there’s no going back.” “They’re books, Wren. I read those two you suggested and I’ve listened to a few others. No biggie.” I raise a dubious eyebrow. “How late did you stay up listening to the one you finished the other day?”

“They’re just books.” “Oh no,” I correct him with a hand on his chest, my other panned toward the stacks of books. “These are not just books. These are feels. These are swoons. These are screams. These are strength. These are oh my fucking god, did he just do that? These are holy shit, I want that done to me. These are I’ll never be the same after reading that, and this now lives rent-free in my head for eternity.” “Shit. I’m so out of my league here. You pick.”

There’s nothing worse than feeling helpless, especially when all you want to do is right the wrong you created for your loved one.

He helped me remember I’m a phoenix, but now he’s burning in my flames.

I just love her. All of her. Forever. ’Til death do us part.

“Should I take this off too?” “I believe I already gave you an order. One you’re disobeying.” She smirks. “It’s what I do.”

“Fuck my face, sweetheart. Dance all over it till you come. But after that, I’m going to fuck you so hard, you’ll have trouble walking for a week.” She smirks down at me. “Promises, promises.”

I can never decide which way I like taking her more. Pushing her limits or fucking her like a queen.

My girl. My woman. My Cinderella. My dream. The one I refuse to lose, no matter the cost or stakes.

“Buy me tequila and the good margarita mix I like.” I scowl. “You think so little of me that I wouldn’t have automatically done that.” She smiles. “This is why I love you. You remember the important things in life.” “Like tequila. Call me if you think of anything else you want.”

“Owen, help me down the stairs,” Octavia demands. “Grandma, you got up the stairs just fine on your own.” “Owen, I am a ninety-one-year-old woman who recently fell down the stairs and broke her wrist. I believe that makes me a fall risk. Do you want my broken hip on your conscience?”

“I love you. For always. Thank you for being my everything while giving me everything.” “Not just for the dirty fun I give you?” I smirk at her teasing tone. “No reason why both can’t lead to a happily ever after.”