Chapter 10: Diamond Digger

༺RAYNE༻

Liam takes a hold of my arm and yanks me towards him. Still gripping my arm, he spins me, causing me to back him. And then he leans downwards, his body close enough that I can feel his heat seeping into me. I shiver when his hot breath fans my ear.

He holds my blonde hair in a handful and pushes it to one side, leaving the other side of my neck bare. His fingers slowly trail patterns across my shoulders and work their way to my neck. His touch turns me into a puddle of molten desire.

My body freezes for a moment and I'm unable to make sense of what's happening. Liam brings his fingers to my arm, grazing my skin upwards while lowering his face to mine from behind. And his breath. Oh my God, his breath on my neck makes goosebumps dance along my skin like excited children.

I think he's going to do what he said he'd do. The thought is awfully thrilling but terrifying at the same time. I don't want him thinking he can get in between my legs whenever he wants. I'm still a person with feelings, contract or not.

I can't let him do whatever it is he has in mind. But I'm tempted to give in.

Liam's head drops even lower, bringing his lips close to mine. Like a fool, I find myself leaning backwards into his chest for a kiss. And that's when he chuckles. No, it's more like a sinister, demonic snicker.

The son of a bitch is just messing with me!

“Look at you,” Liam husks, his fingers tracing the curve of my spine. “Eager to have me inside you again.”

“What? That's so not true! Let go of me!” I snap, trying to shake him off.

I hate him.

“Hold still,” he barks. ”I still have a zipper to fasten.”

His voice is hard and clipped. I stiffen in place, barely breathing while Liam's fingers glide across my skin. He slowly begins to pull up the zipper, inch by torturous inch. He's doing it again, touching my body in a way that sends tingles swivelling through me. Or is it just me?

“There, all done.” Liam steps away from me.

I turn to face him, cursing myself in my head. I should be careful around this man. He's so twisted, arrogant and full of himself. I have to keep my guard up and not let him get to me.

“I think I'm done shopping. I want to leave now,” I say without glancing at him.

Liam nods and follows closely behind as I step out of the changing room. He proceeds to pay for all of the things I bought with just a swipe of his card.

Swipe. A single motion.

Just like that, he paid for everything I picked out. They're worth a fortune and I bet it's more than Henry's net worth. He doesn't bat an eyelid, not even a little. He doesn't even look at the price tags or check his bank balance.

It's as if the whole world belongs to him. And maybe it does. To Liam Everhart, money is like water. He doesn't seem to care how much he spends, or what it's on. All he cares about is having everything he wants. And right now, he wants me to be the perfect wife fit for a billionaire.

Derek grabs some of the shopping bags and goes to keep them in the BMW SUV. They're too much that he has to come back a few more times to get them. I have to wait behind in the store, my eyes looking everywhere except Liam.

Liam's phone suddenly rings and he steps out to take the call. I'm left all alone, standing next to the sales counter. I'm strolling to a rack of expensive dresses when I hear my name. I quickly turn around and my face creases with irritation when I see her.

Hallie.

She catwalks over to me, along with two blondes whom I presume are her minions. They're dressed the same, wearing slinky mini dresses, their shiny blonde hair whipping as they walk.

“Well, well, well, if it isn't the gold-digging trash my brother dumped,” Hallie sniggers, taking off her sunglasses.

I roll my eyes and cross my arms. “It's good to see you too, Hallie.”

“What is a pauper like you doing in a place like this?”

One of her friends says, “I think the poor thing is lost.”

“Or maybe she came here hoping to find another high-rolling fool,” the other friend blurts and then shuts up, realizing she'd hit Henry with a stray bullet.

Hallie glares at her for a while, scowling and then faces me again. Her eyes rake me, eyeing the dress I'm wearing.

“I can't believe they let a penniless rat try on their dresses. Why bother trying on something you can never afford even if you sold your body to every man in the city?”

Hallie and her friends giggle. “What a pitiful state you're in, Rayne. If I were you, I'd go back to the dumpster I crawled out of. You don't belong in a place like this. And that dress.... Well, you know what they say. Put lipstick on a pig and it's still a pig.”

The three witches burst into a louder laughter.

My jaw clenches and my veins strain. I want to hit Hallie. So badly. But I hold myself back. This isn’t the right place. And besides, I'm not her.

“Are you done?” I ask, glaring at her. “I'm not as sharp-tongued and nasty as you but you know what I'm really good at?”

I pause for dramatic effect, leaving them staring blankly at me.

“Shutting bitches like you up,” I declare, flashing my diamond ring at them.

Liam had given me the ring the day I moved in with him. It's a showstopper, a real head turner, its diamonds glinting like icy stars against the pure gold band. It's the kind of ring that screams “I'm rich, bitches!” and I'm so going to rub it in their faces.

Hallie and the other bimbos gape at my ring, surprise flickering in their stupid faces.

“That ring is either fake or you stole it,” Hallie hisses.

I shake my head, “Tsk, tsk. Oh, you stupid little brat. Don't tell me you don't recognize a real diamond when you see one. I guess you're not as snooty and posh as you think you are.”

The insult sinks in.

Hallie's nose scrunches and her face glows red. “You're just a charity case, Rayne, a cheap golddigger!”

I smirk, still showing off the ring in their faces. “A charity case with a bigger rock than any of you fools could ever hope to wear. Just so you know, I don't dig gold anymore. I go for diamonds now. The kind that shines brighter than your fading social status.”

I give my hand a little shake so my diamond ring can sparkle in their envy-filled eyes. My smirk widens as the light bounces off its surface. Hallie gapes at me, her mouth opening and closing like she’s got a fish stuck in there.

Then she snaps out of her trance and turns to her little clones. “You hear that, girls? She’s a diamond digger now.”

This bitch doesn't know when to shut up.

I nod. “That's right. And believe me when I tell you I didn't steal it. The only thing I stole is the heart of the man who put the ring of my finger.”

“And who could that unfortunate fool be?” Hallie asks.

“Two words—Liam Everhart.” The name rolls off my tongue so sweetly as I spot Liam coming over to me.

Hallie and her sidekicks start laughing really hard. “Yeah right. Like Liam Everhart would even spare you a second glance.”

“You don't believe me? Ask him.”