LOVE AND HATE (A Billionaire Romance) Read Online Free

tattooed phoenix rose from flames starting at his waist and extending to the edge of where a dress shirt would cover it. The tattoo surprised me last night. I wondered what else about Scott I didn’t know.
    He obviously spent a lot of time at the gym, and his physique showed it. Glorious six pack, bulging biceps, shapely legs. His frame was a little on the slender side, but he stood at least six feet, which made him almost a full head taller than I was.
    He lingered for a moment, scrutinizing me. I told you, I looked a mess. He pushed past me, poured me a glass of water, and got some aspirin from a bottle. He held them out to me with big, strong hands. “Here, take these. Drink this.”
    Of course I know that’s how you counter a hangover, but his assertions set me off. “I’m good, thanks,” I snapped. Bitchier than I should be, I know, but I hate being told what to do. Lucas used to talk to me in the same way, like he knew better than I did what was good for me or not. I could feel the same old rage bubbling up in me. I took it from Lucas for how long? I wasn’t going to take it from a guy I barely knew. Even if he was my husband.
    “You’ll feel better.”
    “I’ll feel better when I get back to my room and get out of this dress.”
    “You look beautiful.”
    I glared at him for patronizing me. I could feel the color rising in my cheeks. What kind of a fool did he think I was?
    “I can call my personal assistant and have some clothes brought for you. I mean, if you don’t want to go out like that. I can also do room service, get something in your stomach?”
    “I’m fine.” My stomach, the traitor, growled loudly. Scott affected this faux sympathetic look. I didn’t want his pity.
    “At least let me get you a car. Where are you staying?”
    “Linq,” I lied. I didn’t want him knowing where I was staying. I didn’t want his car, but I couldn’t find my shoes, and it was already going to be embarrassing enough going back to my room at God knew what time wearing this ridiculous dress. What was I going to do with the thing? Jesus, would he try to bill me for it?
    I pushed past him to the sink and tried to deal with my raccoon eyes. Unfortunately, my mascara is one of the high end brands, which means it’s waterproof, and sticks like superglue. Works great on eyelashes, works just as well on my face. I scrubbed at myself until my skin was red and raw.
    “What time is it?” What would Lucas say if he could see me now? Probably nothing, as I could only imagine the look of satisfaction on his face as Monica rode him like a pony.
    “Two.”
    “In the afternoon?” Jeez, Mackenzie, could you ask a stupider question? At two in the morning, I’d been standing at the altar.
    Scott wasn’t smiling at me anymore. His tone changed. I could tell he was getting pissed. “Yeah, the afternoon. Hold tight and I’ll call you a car.”
    “Hold tight” almost set me off again. What did he think I was going to do, pop down to the casino and shoot craps? I clamped my mouth shut, very aware it tasted like a baby dragon took a dump in there. I couldn’t wait to get back to my room, take a forty-minute scalding shower, and sleep until the next morning. I dreaded seeing how many messages Susie had left me on my phone.
    What the heck would Lucas say?
    I did the best I could with my hair without a brush. I couldn’t look at my reflection any longer, or I’d start to cry. I looked like crap, felt like crap, and foolish to boot. Feeling like an extra on The Walking Dead , I shambled out of the bathroom and into the suite.
    Scott had pulled the curtain back, and the bright desert sunlight flooding the room made me cover my face with my hands. More like a vampire than a zombie, I guess. Scott looked like he wanted to say something, but apparently he’s not a complete idiot because he didn’t speak until his phone buzzed.
    “Car’s here. Black stretch limo out back.”
    “A limo?”
    “You liked it last