“Is this going to pose a problem for us working together, Lawrence?”
He wrapped his arm around my waist like a possessive lover and then cupped my chin. I tried to pull away, but he tightened his hold on me. My heart was beating rapidly in my chest, and fear dug a dagger in my heart. There were others around, but I didn’t want to make a scene. If they thought we were lovers, then so be it. I would hold my own against this man.
“It might. I’m a man who’s used to getting my way and?—”
“And ya ass ain’t gon’ be getting your way with her tonight.”
The voice shocked me, along with the hand on my arm that snatched me away and shoved me backward. I looked up to see the hard back of my boyfriend, Bryson, who stood in front of me. He stared down at Lawrence. With his fists clenched by his side and his shoulders hunched, he walked Lawrence down.
“I suggest you listen to her words the next time and respect what she’s saying, or there will be problems in your life that you can’t handle.”
“And who the hell are you?”
“Her man.”
I was mortified. People in the restaurant were looking in our direction, and I could tell that Lawrence was extremely angry. I knew that just might mean that we could lose this contract, and I didn’t want that. I couldn’t believe that Bryson showed up and showed his ass.
“I don’t want any problems. We were having a nice business dinner, and I expressed my interest. I meant no harm.”
“Unfortunately, I’m about to mean a whole lot of harm if you don’t step out of her face.”
Lawrence held his hands up and apologized. “Kennedi, I’m sorry about all of this.”
Lawrence turned and walked away before I could respond. I turned my angry gaze onto Bryson and shook my head. Grabbing my purse, I headed out of the restaurant, and he was hot on my tail.
“Did you stalk me tonight?” I demanded as I blew through the restaurant doors.
“Hell nah. I was picking up dinner for us. Why’d you bring him here? This is our place, Kenni!”
“River & 3rdwas convenient. It’s only twelve minutes from the house, so I told him to meet me here.”
I continued storming down the sidewalk and around the building until I reached my car, and his was parked right beside it.
“What the fuck was that?” he growled when we reached the parking lot.
“That . . . was a business dinner that you just ruined. I have no idea if that man is going to consider being in partnership with us after tonight.”
“Do all ya little partners take you out to dinner at night at eight-o-fucking-clock in the evening when you should have your ass at home? All of ’em make passes at you?”
“You’re being ridiculous, Bryson. You take work meetings for your clients at all times of day and night, including the weekends.”
“My clients need their lawyer at all times of the day and night. And the majority of them are men, not women who’re expressing an interest in me, Kennedi. Maybe you should consider getting another job, because this shit ain’t gonna fly.”
Tears flew down my face. “I can take care of myself, Bryson. I don’t need you to pull this type of shit on me. Why are you so demanding, Bryson? What happened to being supportive of my career and my goals, huh?”
“When your career and goals start keeping you out at all hours of the night for the last few months, then that shit is dead!”
“You’re not my boss or my husband, Bryson. You’re my boyfriend!”
Bryson’s hands clenched at his side, and he worked his jaw back and forth. “At the rate we’re going, I’m not sure I’ll even be that for much longer.”
He jumped into his car and sped out of the parking lot. All I could do was stand there and let the tears fall down my face like rain.
Chapter 2
Kenni
TWO MONTHS LATER
