“I know that.” Alexander’s deep voice cuts through the room as he closes the door and locks it, closing us in the tiny space together. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” I sigh as I stare at him through the mirror when he walks up behind me. “What are you doing in here?”

He raises one eyebrow. “Is it wrong that I came in to check on you? You’ve had a lot to drink. I wanted to make sure you weren’t in here puking your guts out.”

I turn to face him and fold my arms over my chest. “So what if I was. It’s not like you care.”

He flinches. “Do you really think that I’m that big of an asshole that I wouldn’t come to check on you? While we’re out here, you’re my responsibility to keep safe.”

“No. I’m not. I can take care of myself,” I fire back.

“I’m aware that you’re fully capable of handling yourself, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t . . .”

“Don’t what?” I prod.

“Care, all right? I’d care if you were all alone in here sick. ” He pinches the bridge of his nose and shuts his eyes for a brief second. “I’m not a dick all of the time.”

“Just most of the time, then?” His omission causes me to smile. Maybe I need to give Yamada some credit. He might not be so far off the mark, after all.

Alexander shakes his head as he closes the distance between us and backs me up against the counter. He drags his teeth slowly over his bottom lip as he reaches up and cups my face. “Why can’t I leave you alone?”

The question seems more rhetorical than directed at me, but I’m curious as well.

“Why didn’t you come to breakfast this morning?” he asks as he stares into my eyes.

“I couldn’t bear the thought of seeing you after last night. I was angry at myself for letting things go that far with you . . . again, after I promised myself that it wouldn’t,” I admit.

He nods like he fully understands where I’m coming from. “We really do need to try to stay away from each other.”

I let out a shaky breath and try to pretend that being so close to him, feeling the warmth of his breath on my face isn’t sending my body into overdrive. “Any idea how to make sure that happens?”

“Touching is a bad idea. It leads me to think about that sweet pussy of yours. And how good it feels when I’m inside you. We should avoid doing that if we don’t want to end up fucking again, but that might be complicated.” He traces my jaw with his thumb. “I’ve tasted your sweetness, and I know what I’d be missing out on by denying myself, and I never tell myself no if it’s something that I really want.”

I swallow hard as his gray eyes remain locked on me. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying since I’m sure by now that you know there’s no swaying Yamada away from me with whatever plan you came out here with, we might as well enjoy the rest of the weekend . . . and each other.”

My brows furrow. “You want me to be your fuck buddy for the weekend?”

His shoulders rise in a noncommittal shrug. “If you must put a label on it, then yes. I want you to willingly give yourself to me for the weekend, whenever I want to fuck.”

“No,” I instantly respond and push him back a bit so that there’s more space between us. Having him so close clouds my judgment. “I told you before we came out here to not expect me to be one of your paid whores. I don’t work like that.”

“Who said anything about paying you? You’ve fucked me twice already for free.”

My nostrils flare as I pull back and smack him with all my might. “You’re such a bastard.”

The spot on his cheek where I made contact turns scarlet, and he raises his hand to rub the spot. “So that’s a no then?”

I flip him off. “That’s a hell fucking no.”

I don’t give him another minute to say anything else before I storm out of the bathroom. The party is still in full swing, but I don’t feel like having fun anymore. I’m mad as hell. It’s one thing to make a mistake by sleeping together, but it’s an entirely different thing when he insinuates that I’m an easy slut.

That bastard will never get into these panties again.

Yamada stands in front me, blocking my path as I head toward the door. “Whoa there. Where are you running off to?”

“I’m going back to my room.”

“Why?” Yamada asks. “King pissed you off, huh?”

“He’s an asshole.” It’s all I can manage to say.

Yamada smiles. “He is, but you already knew that. He’s testing you.”

I flinch. “Testing me? For what?”

He shrugs. “To see how much of his bullshit you will put up with before you leave him. He’s trying to push you away so that he doesn’t have to open up to you. It’s a defense mechanism. Every woman he’s opened up to has left him.” I stare at Yamada with my mouth agape, which only causes his smile to widen. “Come on, Dime Piece. Don’t look so shocked. Yamada is not only devastatingly handsome with an amazing personality, but he’s an intelligent madafucka too with a minor in psychology.”

I stand there flabbergasted. “So you’re saying that I should stay?”

“Yes,” he answers. “Show him that he doesn’t intimidate you, and that you’ll stand your ground.”