He’d backed her up against the cool brick of the house, behind a large potted tree. She could still feel his breath on her cheek and smell the alcohol.
“Why are you being so uptight, Maisie?” he’d asked as he lewdly pressed up against her, his hand reaching up to cup her breast. “You’re bigger than the women I prefer to sleep with, but you’re all the same in the dark. And trust me, there have been a lot of them in the dark. Some who didn’t even know it was me.”
Then he tried to kiss her, and she shoved him away.
“You’re disgusting,” she spat, even as he laughed.
“I’m not the disgusting one,” he sneered after a moment. “Look at yourself. You should be thankful someone like me is willing to marry you.”
She’d been too stunned to speak.
Then he moved in close again and groped her a bit more before licking her cheek. “See you soon, wifey.”
“Maisie? Maisie, are you even listening to me? Honestly, now you’re just being rude,” her mother said with a huff.
“I’m not being rude, Mother. I’m just not going to listen to you sing the praises of a man that I have repeatedly told you I want nothing to do with.”
“Fine. We’ll talk about something else.” She paused. “Your cousin Victoria’s wedding is coming up. You’re in the bridal party. I’m going to assume you’ll be there.”
Damn. She’d forgotten about that.
She and her cousin were close, and she’d hate to miss it, but…
“Is Bryce going to be there?” she asked sternly.
“No. Your Uncle Jasper and Bryce’s father had a falling out, and their family is excluded from the wedding. It’s been all everyone’s been able to talk about.”
At least if he wasn’t there, she’d be able to relax and enjoy herself.
“I’ll be at the wedding,” she said wearily. “All the pre-wedding festivities were over weeks ago, but I should check in with Vic and make sure I haven’t missed anything since being banished.”
“You did it to yourself, Maisie. You were the one who insisted on being on your own.”
“And why is that a bad thing?” she demanded, tears stinging her eyes. “All I wanted was a chance to have a career that I’m passionate about! To have a life of my own! Why do I have to live under your and Dad’s thumb? You both acted as if wanting to strike out on my own was a crime!”
Silence again.
“I’m good at what I do,” she said after several long moments. “I have talent, and I have every right to want to be in control of my life.”
“You act like an arranged marriage is the worst thing in the world. Your father and I were an arranged marriage, and we’re both very happy.”
That was one of the biggest lies she’d ever heard.
There were many words she’d use to describe her parents’ marriage and happy wasn’t one of them.
“I’m not you, Mom. I’m never going to want this.”
“Have you made any strides in getting clients? You know your time is running out.”
Ugh…
As much as she wanted to say yes, she wasn’t ready to. Until Walker and the rest of the guys signed the contract, she was keeping that info to herself.
“I’m working on a few things,” she said vaguely.
“So, no,” her mother said with a hint of amusement. “Well, I’ll just leave you to it and plan on seeing you at Victoria’s wedding. Take care of yourself, dear. Goodbye.”
She went to say goodbye, but her mother had already hung up.
