"Wh-what?" she chokes out.
I look into her eyes, willing her to play along.
I know the exact moment recognition dawns on her, and she realizes that I’m doing this for the benefit of her loser ex, for she draws in a breath. “You have feelings for me?”
I take her hand in mine. “I understand how overwhelming this must be for you. But I want you. It was killing me that you were planning to marry this loser. ButIunderstand your value in my life. I can’t do without you, sweetheart."
Her features soften. “That’s a very sweet thing to say.”
"I want you to come home with me, so I can introduce you to my family."
She blinks rapidly.
The expression on her face shows she’s game to play along, but also, that she’s confused. Then she seems to pull herself together. “I’d love to meet your family, honey.”
She snuggles in closer.
For a few seconds, I revel in the feel of her body close to mine and the sound of her calling me “honey” in that sweet voice of hers. I used to wince at how couples used such saccharine endearments, butsomehow, coming from her, it feels different. It feels right. And with her curvy body melting into mine, I’m in heaven.
Then the douchebag who caused her so much grief clears his throat. “Umm… That’s my fiancée.”
“No, she’s not,” I growl.
“Not anymore,” she snaps.
He looks between us. "Uh… What… What’s the meaning of this. Lark… You, what are you doing? This man?—"
"Is going to take care of her the way you never would. You had your opportunity, buster, and you lost it." I jerk my chin in the direction of the doorway. "Get gone."
"B-b-b-ut I?—"
“You’d best haul arse before I call security. AndKeith,aw, that’s sweet.” I bare my teeth. “Is your middle name mediocre? No wait, I bet it’s shitstain.”
I have the satisfaction of seeing the twatface turn purple in the face. "Look here, there’s no need to get personal,” he blusters.
Without taking my arm from around Lark, I swipe out my free hand and grab the other man’s collar.
I shove him with enough force that he stumbles. He also seems to get the message, for he makes tracks to the doorway.
Where he pauses. "Good luck, dude. You'll need it with that dead fish. It won't be long before you're looking elsewhere too.”
Lark winces and curves into herself.
What. The. Fuck.How dare he talk like that about this gorgeous woman?
When I narrow my gaze, whatever he sees on my face is enough to have him swallow audibly.
"Leave. Now.” My voice, like a whip, cracks out in his direction. It seems to catch him with the impact of a body blow, for he shoves the door open and lurches out.
It swings shut behind him.
Lark trembles against me. Tension leaps off her body. When I look down at her face, it’s to find that rage has her in its thrall, not disappointment.
“Oh my God, I’m so mad at myself.” Her voice quivers with furyas she clenches her fists, stamping her foot like she’s trying to drive her anger into the ground.
She’s fire. Defiant. Glorious in her fury. And hell, if that doesn’t make her even more irresistible.
“I can’t believe I was engaged to that…that sorry excuse of a man.”
