His challenge makes it slightly easier to stand my ground.

I tut-tut like he once did to me. “Language.”

His eyes spark and then he leans in to be sure I hear him. “Vous êtes très baisable.”

A decadent shiver rolls down my spine.

“Is that better?” he asks me.

“I don’t speak French,” I say icily.

He smiles deviously. “Should I translate for you?”

I swallow and shake my head.

I force my gaze over his shoulder, acting as if there’s someone more interesting in the crowd behind him. “Don’t bother. In fact, unless you have something you need to talk to me about—”

He steps forward, blocking the party from view, shrouding me in darkness. Then he bends his head, towering over me. “You thought you’d confess your love on Christmas Eve then run and hide like always? The little mouse, the quiet girl…I’m not buying it anymore.”

I try to swallow past my nerves. “I’m not hiding. Didn’t you get my note? I’ve called off the engagement. It’s over.”

He dips down further, very nearly pressing his lips to mine. “Non. It’s barely begun.”

Fire ignites in me so suddenly I press my hand to his shirt, just beneath his neck so it’s easy to push him away.

“Of all the ridiculous things you could say…I suppose you suddenly find it convenient to want me? It’s that easy?”

He presses into my hand, staying close. “Don’t make me sound so flippant. Neither of us was being honest before, now were we?”

I try to push him away again, harder this time, but he doesn’t move. “I don’t want to talk about the engagement. It’s done. You could have married me. You had the chance. Instead you fought tooth and nail against it. I don’t believe your feelings have changed.”

He flattens his hand over mine, ensuring my palm stays on his chest. “You have one part correct. I fought to make a choice of my own volition, yes, and I won’t apologize for that. But you were never the issue. My feelings haven’t changed one bit. I always wanted you.”

I let out a short, caustic laugh. “Oh, is that right? Is that why you went around town dating other women these last few months? To prove how much you wanted me?”

“I never dated anyone.”

His nonchalant tone enrages me even more.

I lean in, spitting angry. “Don’t lie to me. I sat and listened to the gossip day after day. The rumors only grew worse. You and some breathtaking blonde at a bar, at a museum, at dinner. You wanted me so badly…” I laugh like I find it absolutely absurd.

“Fuck the rumors. I admit I was attempting to toy with my father, buck his control whichever way I could, but I’d like you to listen when I say, I was never dating anyone. I haven’t slept with anyone—haven’t even kissed anyone, in fact—in months. Though…that doesn’t include a certain night in Italy. Do you recall?”