“You’re the one who told me to date other people.”
William angrily spat out, “Not people like that.”
I pulled William into a corner of the courtyard so we wouldn’t make a scene and whisper yelled, “You can’t dictate who I date!”
William looked down at me with a fiery intensity, and we stared at each other for an indefinite amount of time.
The days after hooking up had left us both riled, and the sexual tension was palpable any time we were in the same room. And right now, it was close to bursting. I could feel William’s aggressive energy and his jealousy and couldn’t help but feel my body being drawn closer to him. It was like animal magnetism, and I wasn’t strong enough to fight it.
William was always handsome, but seeing him volatile was a huge turn-on. My chest nearly touched his now, and our breaths came faster. I desperately wanted him to kiss me, to do something to expel this sexual frustration.
But William only grunted and closed his eyes, collecting his thoughts. “Don’t worry, your parents will never know about your artwork. All your prints sold.”
He handed me a wad of bills, then turned and left.
I looked after him, dazed and confused. If he was so jealous, then why didn’t he give in? I didn’t really want to go out with David. He was a typical stuck-up prick, but the man I was in love with clearly didn’t want to be with me. So I’d go on the date tonight, even if it was doomed to fail.
Chapter 12
Nairie
Being back at my parents’ house always brought a mixture of comfort and anxiety. I loved the happy childhood memories, but my mother only had one volume when speaking and that was loud. Baba always watched some sports game on television, yelling expletives that grated on my nerves.
I smoothed over my short, long-sleeved dress. It was cute and sexy, giving me enough coverage while still showing off the girls and my legs. Since I was going to hate the date anyway, I might as well feel good about myself. I put my hair half up with tendrils falling around my face for a romantic look.
I hated expensive dinners at stuffy restaurants. The portions were always tiny, and I felt out of place.
A knock sounded on the front door, and I came out of my room. Mom was talking animatedly and ushering David into our modest living room, complete with lace doilies, plastic-covered couches, and ornate rugs for days.
David looked at me when I entered and had a knowing smile that irked me. It was arrogant, as if he thought I was lucky to be going on a date with him. I knew a lot of guys like him and couldn’t wait for this to be over.
Mom’s voice was filled with sugary sweetness. “David, it’s so nice to see you again.”
She pulled me closer, like offering me on a platter.
David dragged his gaze over my body in a slow perusal, and it made my skin crawl. “Hi, again. It’s nice to see you both. Is George home? I was going to give him a couple of cigars.”
Apparently, that’s all my dowry was worth, some stogies.
Mom preened. “Of course, let me get him.”
She screeched down the hall, and my shoulders tensed as I winced.
Baba shuffled in shortly and shook David’s hand, thanking him for the cigars. “You two have a nice time.”
We left my parents’ house, and David opened the door of his Mercedes for me. It still had that new car smell, and I clutched my purse, not wanting it to sully his precious carpeted floor.
But a gouge on the side had a strange feeling swirling in my gut. “How’d you get that scratch?”
David bristled. “Someone keyed it in the church parking lot.”
We drove in silence for a while until I couldn’t take it anymore and asked another question just to fill the void. “So, what kind of law do you practice?”
“Criminal.”
“Do you defend good guys or bad guys?”
David scoffed. “Does it matter?”
