“Tell me you’re not seriously thinking of marrying this guy. He doesn’t treat you right, and you deserve much better.” Panic strummed through Brad, and a sense of urgency came over him.
“Brad, you have no right.” Her body stiffened. “You don’t even know him.”
“No, I don’t, but from what your landlord told me, along with some of the women at the magazine, I don’t need to know him. He’s a real jerk.”
“Tom and I have been with each other for five years,” she defended in a tight voice.
“And that gives him permission to tell you what you can wear and how you can look every day of your life? Does that give him permission to choose your friends, as well?”
Moisture gathered in her eyes and she blinked. “He’s only looking out for my best—”
“He’s looking out for him and only him,” Brad snapped. He grasped her shoulders. “Tyger, can’t you see he’s kept you wearing outdated, over-sized clothes for a reason? He knew how beautiful you were and he didn’t want other men to see it.”
A tear slid down her cheek. “Please, Brad. Don’t say that about him. You don’t know him.”
“I don’t want to know him, because I’d be tempted to slam my fist into his face for treating you the way he has.”
She choked on a sob and tried to pull away. Instead of letting her go, he pulled her closer and wrapped his arms around her to keep her up against his body. She trembled, but she didn’t fight him.
“Don’t you see,” he said, kissing her forehead. “You are a woman who needs to be happy. You have so much passion, and he’s keeping you from expressing it.” He pressed his cheek against hers. “You need a man who will shower you with gifts. You need a man who will make you smile and laugh. Oh, my sweet Tyger, you need a man who will make you feel special, and beautiful... and loved.”
He placed his mouth on hers, coaxing her into a kiss. At first, she remained stiff, but the more he kissed her, the faster her body relaxed. Soon, she slid her arms up his chest and linked her fingers around his neck.
A soft moan came from her as she opened her mouth for him. He deepened the kiss, holding her tightly and showing her through the kiss, how much he wanted her. His chest restricted the longer they kissed, but he didn’t want her to choose Tom. Brad was right here. He wanted her to pickhim.
Suddenly, she stopped and pushed against him, pulling out of his arms. “Brad, this is wrong.”
“No, Tyger, this is right.”
“Please...” She wiped away the tears in her eyes. “I can’t do this to Tom. I’m... so confused.”
Brad breathed slower, trying to think straight again. If she was confused, that could only mean she was pondering which man was right for her. That was a good thing.
“Fine, I won’t say anymore.” He walked to the door, but stopped before reaching it. He looked at her from over his shoulder. “My parents are having a dinner party this Thursday evening. I would love it if you would be my date. It’s at six thirty. Formal dress. If you change your mind about me between now and then, please consider keeping me company so I don’t go crazy alone with my family.”
“Sorry, Brad,” she said softly, “but I can’t cheat on Tom.”
“And you’d pick a man who treats you like leftover dog food than a man who treats you like a princess?” His voice choked, but he didn’t care. This particular subject upset him so much he wanted to scream.
“I’ve only known you for two days. I’ve known Tom for years. And... he has a decent job, and he’s settled. Who else would I chose?”
It was as if she’d shoved a knife through his heart. The pain of rejection was real, and it hurt more than he’d expected. Not knowing what else to say to convince her that Tom was wrong for her, Brad left her apartment with his heart around his ankles, not knowing if he could ever recover from this blow.
