Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 119184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 596(@200wpm)___ 477(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 596(@200wpm)___ 477(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Why did they let her up?
Lena slides off my lap, rushing to fix herself, running her hands through her hair and over her clothes to smooth everything back into place. “I think you’re going to have to answer.”
I wish I didn’t, but there’s no point delaying the inevitable. And with the announcement, it’s not like Nancy Loomer’s dropping by for an ice cream social.
“What the hell?” I snarl as I walk over and rip the door open, but Nancy bolts in without waiting for an invitation.
I shouldn’t be surprised.
“Oh, good. She’s still here,” she snarls the second she sees Lena.
“Watch it,” I warn.
“Seriously, Brady?” Nancy whirls around and jabs me in the chest with one long nail. “This is what you picked over me? This . . . this nobody? This budget bitch who can’t even look happy for a three-minute Insta Reel?”
“Enough, Nance. Walk yourself back out. Right the fuck now,” I growl. Lena’s on her feet behind me, her face flushed with anger. If I’m not careful, I could have a brawl on my hands. “I told you how it had to be the other day. Made it clear we’re not right for each other. Now it’s time for you to accept that like an adult.”
“That.” Her laugh is more of a cackle, high pitched and grating.
“I let you down gently. I tried,” I say, folding my arms. “But hell, Nancy, if you keep barging in here with your insults, I won’t be gentle at all.”
She staggers back like she’s been shot.
In another setting, it might be amusing. But when she straightens herself enough to look at me, her eyes are seething.
Whatever. She thought she had me in the bag.
She wanted our arranged mismatch to work from the first time my mother set us up, but until now I could never figure out why she was so damn invested.
“Okay, Mister Man. Fine. Enjoy it when the shit-talkers come calling to rip your balls off. I’ll tell them you’re a two-pump chump too. Gladly. You’ll regret walking away.”
I swear I can feel my blood pressure spiking.
I’m on the verge of picking her up and throwing her out by those fake-ass hair extensions when I feel two small hands winding around my waist, hugging me from behind.
“Sorry you’re salty. You lost,” Lena says with the sweetest venom in her voice. “But honestly, can you blame him when you’re such an entitled freak?”
“Entitled? Who do you think you are, you little—”
“Wasn’t done yet. The only thing Brady should ever regret is every second of misery he wasted with you. He’s found better company now.” The acid in her voice should be criminal. “We’re in a happy mood today, and that’s why I’m going to give you a choice—pick yourself up and go crawl off to lick your wounds, or we’ll have you in handcuffs. And not the kinky kind. You’re not welcome here, bitch.”
Holy fuck.
Nancy doesn’t even blink. Two screaming red blotches surface on her cheeks.
It’s like Lena just repeatedly slapped her across the face.
And she did, without lifting a finger.
Nancy’s a self-propelled ego. I have no doubt this isn’t how she imagined this conversation going.
I also have no doubt she’s about to start swinging, so I step up, lodging myself between the two women.
“You heard her. Get out,” I order, pure violence in my tone. “Get the fuck out! And if you know what’s good for you, don’t ever show your face again.”
I regret nothing, even if this causes a hurricane-grade shitstorm.
After all the times she’s barged in like she lives here, like she has a right to me, this feels glorious.
Cutting Nancy loose—that’s a huge win.
When she still doesn’t move in her paralyzed state, I turn, wrapping Lena in my arms and pulling her in for a kiss until the other woman stumbles back.
Then the door slams in Nancy’s face.
I don’t stop when she’s gone.
Neither does Lena, attacking me but staying where we are. Almost like there’s this unspoken agreement binding us from moving to the sofa.
You can’t go there, no matter how fucking tempting. Here, there be dragons.
“She’s gone.” Lena’s soft mouth curls into a smile under mine.
“She’s smoldering ashes. That was you, hellcat.” I kiss her again, my arms locked around her waist, bending her body into mine. She doesn’t resist. “Do we always need an audience for this?”
“This is supposed to be fake.”
“Doesn’t mean we can’t have real moments.” I groan raggedly, taking her mouth again.
This wasn’t what I intended.
Hell, if anything it reminds me why kissing a beautiful woman like her is so recklessly dangerous. Still, I can’t bring myself to regret it, much less to stop.
“Nancy Loomer had that coming since the day she was born,” I mutter. “I’m just glad you were the one to dish it out. You’re tough as nails, Sass.”
“You aren’t pissed I didn’t save you the honor?” Her eyes dance as she leans back, holding my hands.