"Is that what you think?"

In the dim light, emotions churned violently in his eyes. He gazed at her face, still flushed from their kiss, and his tone grew heavy.

Chloe Reed’s long lashes fluttered. She let out a soft laugh, then looked up to meet his gaze. "What else could it be? You’re injured, yet you’re still going out of your way to help me. You even agreed when I suggested we sign the divorce papers first. I really can’t find any other explanation."

She tilted her head slightly. "We were together for eight years, and we started sleeping together six years ago. After all this time, haven’t you had enough?"

Walker Grant let out a low laugh. He walked over to her and looked her straight in the eye. "That’s right. I haven’t. Are you offering?"

Chloe’s breath hitched. ’Truthfully, I’d already prepared myself for this.’

’We’re both adults. After all the help he’s given me, it would be naive to think he expects nothing in return.’

’If this is what it takes to be even, it’s not a bad deal.’

Chloe looked at him again. "There has to be a time limit, right?"

The air around Walker grew heavy. He wanted to strangle her.

He let her go, pulled a cigarette from his pocket, and lit it. The crimson ember flickered as he took a deep drag. When he exhaled, the thin white smoke obscured his handsome face.

He sat on the sofa and narrowed his eyes, studying her impassive face. "Ten times a month," he said in a low voice.

Chloe’s lashes trembled violently. She remained silent for a long time.

"Those are my terms. You can take your time to think it over." Walker finished his cigarette, but the frustration in his chest only mounted, making him even more irritated and angry.

’She wanted to be even, to lay everything out on the table. Fine. He would give her exactly what she wanted!’ 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

’Be even!’

’From start to finish, all she’s ever wanted is to be even!’

"Fine."

The room was silent for a long while. Chloe looked at him again, her lips curving into a slight smile. "This arrangement will only last until this is all over. The moment it’s done, we’re done for good."

Walker didn’t say a word. Instead, he shot to his feet, strode toward her, grabbed the back of her head, and crushed his lips to hers.

This kiss was far more savage, as if he were trying to devour her. She could feel it hurt.

Chloe’s first instinct was to push him away, but she quickly remembered their agreement and simply closed her eyes instead.

Clothes fell to the carpet, piece by piece. The covers on the bed were a tangled mess. Dim light enveloped the room, and the air grew thick with a charged, sensual energy. Ragged breaths intertwined. Through a gap in the curtains, the sky outside could be seen slowly turning white.

’It was as if he hadn’t touched a woman in centuries.’

From three in the morning until six, he didn’t stop.

His freshly dressed wound split open again, the scent of blood mingling with the air of intimacy.

By seven in the morning, Chloe couldn’t take it anymore. As she felt his hand begin to roam over her body again, she said weakly, "Are you trying to use up the entire month’s quota at once?"

A look of sated satisfaction was written across Walker’s features. His eyes softened, but his voice was still deep. "This only counts as one time."

Chloe stared at him in astonishment. "You..."

Walker simply said, "Go to sleep. Otherwise, we can keep going."

Chloe was left speechless.

She was completely drained of energy and genuinely afraid he would start again.

With great effort, she turned her back to him and said in a muffled voice, "Go buy me the morning-after pill."