“Ha!” Oran laughs and Ainslee is the only one who looks like this is all normal.
Layla falls to her back and wipes the blood from her mouth as she cries on the ground. “I’ll sue you for this.”
“Dead people can’t sue,” Ainslee points out and I can see the coolness in her gaze.
“True,” Oran answers, then looks at Karessa. “Karessa, you may want to wash your hand. You don’t want old man cum residue on it.” He looks down at Layla. “I see you’ve found your sweet spot. Whores just can’t seem to stay off their backs.” He bends over with his hands on his knees so she can look him in the eyes. “Keep my name out of your filthy little mouth, or I’ll show you just how childish I can be. I will fuck your life so hard you’ll call me Arthur Senior, bitch.”
Layla balks at the threat but doesn’t speak.
“I’ll get someone to escort her out discreetly,” Penny offers although I almost forgot she was there.
I almost choked Layla. I felt capable of wrapping my hands around her throat if she would have said one more fucking thing. Now, my tux feels constricting and I need some air. I walk out without a word. Karessa starts to call my name but Oran tells her I need time. She respects it because she’s beautiful like that. We’ll talk later. I really need to be alone.
Chapter Thirty
Karessa
I’m notsurprised Jagger disappeared after the conflict. I’ve learned it’s what he does and Oran confirmed it when he offered me a ride home. The night was going great until Layla showed up. Surprisingly, seeing her isn’t what set him off. Jagger promised that she wouldn’t be an issue with our marriage and the way he regarded her backed that promise. I didn’t doubt it before; it’s just more confirmation.
Layla’s actions were those of a desperate woman. I don’t doubt that she loves Arthur but that’s her fault and not Jagger’s problem. Approaching him at his event was wrong on many levels. People say a lot about me, and most isn’t true but it goes with the territory, but verbally attacking someone I care about or hurting them in any way is what sets me off.
I may have punched her in the face but she got off lucky. Everything in Jagger’s body language screamed he was about to lose his shit and that’s the last thing he needed. He’s already dealing with too much.
We’ve left each other home alone plenty of times but knowing he’s out there upset had me pacing nervously until I forced myself to take a long, relaxing bath. Now, I’m lying-in bed doing my best not to call him. Instead, I lie in the bed in the dark breathing in his scent like a lovesick teenager. A few short hours without him has me restless.
A relieved sigh escapes once I hear the elevator door. Jagger’s footsteps tap the hard floor and echoes through the silent house. He’s stripping in the dark and disappears into the bathroom without checking if I’m awake. It’s not necessary right now. I’m just happy he’s back and unharmed.
The shower shuts off ten minutes later and Jagger resurfaces. I watch his naked body move gracefully through the room. He’s sexy without trying. Jagger tilts his head like he’s watching me watch him but we cannot see each other's eyes.
Our bed dips when he climbs under the cover from the foot instead of his side. My legs automatically part when he moves up my body. His hair tickles my belly when he lies his head on it. Instinctively, I start stroking his hair. Jagger’s breath warms my skin when he sighs.
“I could hear you worrying from the lobby,” he whispers, his seriousness belies the joke.
“It’s my job. Mr. Hanlon.”
“Mr. Hanlon is the asshole who’s intent on competing with me.”
His dad pisses me off so bad but I’m not inviting him into this moment unless Jagger wants him here.
“So if I call you Mr. Hanlon during sex, you’d be offended?”
His chuckle is as soft as the kisses he places on my stomach. “Try it and find out.”
I smile in the dark although we still have much to discuss. “Jagger,” I begin but he cuts me off.
“I know, baby. I know. I just needed to blow off steam. I’m over her…”
“I know. I have no doubts about that. You know where you belong.”
Jagger lifts his head and I know he’s smiling. “Possessive. I like it, Slugger.”
More of his body covers mine and he slides up. “Not possessive, confident.” I wrap my arms around his neck, loving his solid heat. Just being near him is enough to have me ready to go but knowing we’re both naked gets me there much faster. “And that bitch had it coming. This night was important to you and she disrespected that. I get why you were upset. It upset me as well.”
He drops his forehead to mine. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Wanting to protect me, defending me, and giving a shit about what’s going on in my head. Shit like that.”
