Calum waited for Vonny to fall asleep before he slipped out of bed and crept next door into the living room of his suite. He felt around in the darkness, eventually happening upon the bottle of whiskey he’d brought back with him after leaving Laurella in the restaurant.

After pouring a healthy amount into a glass, Calum went to sit by the window. Sweeping a hand over his face, he stared at the closed bedroom door. He must have had rocks in his head to bring Vonny back here. When she’d told him she was moving to Chicago two years before, he’d pretended to be disappointed that their on-off relationship would have to come to an end, but in reality, he’d been thrilled. She’d saved him the job of finishing it between them, whatever ‘it’ had been. And yet, in order to stick it to Laurella—figuratively speaking—he’d stuck it to Vonny. The sex had been average, although Vonny would have disagreed, if her screams were anything to go by. He’d come only because he’d closed his eyes and pictured a dark-haired vixen who was invading his thoughts far too often of late.

Laurella… why did she get under his skin so much? How could he be so attracted to a woman he abhorred? How did that fucking work?

He tossed back the whiskey, the burn in his throat a welcome distraction from the fire in his gut as he thought of the woman sleeping next door. The walls at this hotel weren’t exactly soundproof so, no doubt, she’d have heard his nocturnal activities. And that bothered him. He didn’t have a clue why it would, but facts were facts.

Vonny appeared at the bedroom door, naked, bleary-eyed, hair a holy mess, mascara smudges beneath her eyes. She yawned then stretched her arms overhead, the movement thrusting her breasts forward. He waited for a twinge in his groin. Nothing.

“Baby, what are you doing up? Come back to bed.” She held out her hand and beckoned to him.

“Can’t sleep.” He ignored her invitation, and her hand fell to her side. It didn’t stop her from walking over to him, though. He ground his teeth. She never could take a fucking hint.

“Who said anything about sleeping?” She began to straddle his thighs until he stopped her.

“Not now,” he snapped.

Vonny scowled. “Same old Calum, I see. Gets what he wants and then casts you aside like trash.”

Calum raked her with a cutting gaze. “Believe me, I most certainly did not get what I wanted.” Because what I want is on the other side of that wall.

“Charming.” Vonny sneered. She tossed her head and stomped back into the bedroom.

Calum huffed then got to his feet and followed her. She’d better be getting dressed. He opened the door. Vonny had burrowed back underneath the covers and was staring at him, a painted-on expression of hurt tightening her face.

Fuck’s sake.

“Get out, Vonny,” Calum said. “I’ve got an early start in the morning.”

“You’re kicking me out?” She frowned and glanced at the clock on the nightstand. “It’s two in the morning.”

“You’re staying in the goddamn hotel. It’s hardly forcing you to sleep on the street.” Irritated when she didn’t move, he sighed. “Why are you behaving differently? This is how it’s always been between us, Vonny. You had an itch. I scratched it for you. Now it’s time for you to go.”

She paused for a second, probably wondering whether he’d change his mind. He wouldn’t. Even when Vonny had lived in New York, they’d never spent the whole night together, and she knew that.

He kept his gaze trained on her, and eventually, she pouted and flung the covers to one side. “I thought it might be different this time.”

He frowned, genuinely confused. “Why would it be?”

“You can be such a bastard, Calum.”

He ignored her, his shoulder propped against the doorjamb, arms folded, watching as Vonny pulled on her panties, followed by her dress. She shoved her feet into her shoes and slung her purse over her shoulder.

“Do me a favor,” she said. “Next time you fancy a quick fuck, pick on some other idiot.”

Oh, darling, now you’re pissing me off. He yawned and scratched his cheek when he could have ripped into her. Hell, in the past, he would have ripped into her. “Are you still here?”

Vonny’s jaw tightened, and she pressed her lips together. When she passed by, she made a point of jolting her shoulder into his chest. Calum didn’t react, and when the door slammed behind her, he let out a huge fucking sigh of relief. Taking Vonny up on her offer of emotionless sex had been a mistake—one he wouldn’t be repeating.

His gaze fell on the rumpled sheets, and a sudden urge came over him to strip the bed. He tossed the sheets on the floor then opened the closet door, took out the obligatory blanket all hotels kept on the top shelf, and spread it over the mattress.

He lay in the dark, listening to his own breathing, and reached a hand behind his head to touch the wall. Beyond the thin layer of drywall and paint was Laurella, probably fast asleep, her thoughts and dreams far from him.

If only he could say the same.