Page 50 of Worth Loving You

“Always.”

The seatbelt clicked into place and we both stared at Wyatt. Clearing my throat, I wiggled my finger at the keys dangling from the ignition.

“Uh, that’s your cue to turn the vehicle on and drive.”

His fingers curled into a fist, almost crushing his forgotten cigarette.

Blinking rapidly, I grinned innocently and whispered, “Perhaps you need some pointers in that department, as well.”

“Goddamn motherfucking bitch,” he grumbled, cranking the engine and yanking the gearshift into drive. Hitting the gas, he screeched his tires and pulled away from the curb without checking traffic. Cars honked their horns, but he just zipped back and forth between lanes, continuing to spew profanities under his breath.

My ankle on my knee once more, my elbow on the window, I gazed at the scenery darting by while tugging at my ear. I had to talk to Milo about replacing Wyatt. We just were not going to get along and I refused to live with and spend my days with a man who made me feel inadequate because he resented me based on my appearance.

Wyatt had to go. It was time I put my foot down again. Either the overgrown ape went away, or I did, but I would not continue suffering because of a man’s shallow egotism.

I hated him, he hated me…that made for a hostile living arrangement I wasn’t willing to tolerate.

Chapter 19

Chastity Monroe

I flung myself to the suede sectional, sinking low in the soft cushions and spreading my arms to my sides. Smiling, my legs stretched out in front, I swayed my knees in and out while petting the soft fabric.

“You like this?”

Jennifer rolled a shoulder. An arm over her stomach, the other propped on top, she was chewing her thumbnail, staring at me. “It’s all right, I reckon.”

“You really want leather, don’t you?”

She curled her fingers to her palm and held it out to inspect her nails. “It’s whatever you want, sugar. This is your choice, not mine.”

Picking up on her displeasure, I sat up and set my ankle on my knee. “What’s going on with you?”

A shoulder rolled while gazing around the expansive furniture store. “Nothin’.”

“Why are you lying to me?”

Her eyes rolled before casting sheepishly over my head. Craning my neck, I glared at Wyatt hovering behind me. I clucked my teeth and sat up, twisting my waist to hold the back of the couch.

“Okay, Kevin Costner. I get you’re my bodyguard and all, but you don’t need to be right up my ass. You can still watch and protect me from twenty feet away.”

He sneered, curling his lip over his teeth.

I flipped my wrist and said, “Shoo! Go on, scat cat.”

His mouth was moving to a bunch of silent curse words, his hands balled into fists at his sides. Shaking his head, he stomped a few feet away, crossed his arms, and widened his stance, leering.

I sighed and spun around. “Sorry. He doesn’t understand personal space.”

She was chewing the inside of her cheek, still watching him. “Doncha think this is weird?” she muttered, sitting on the far end of the sectional. “I mean, in just over a month, you met Milo, he got you fired.”

My insides shrank, those warning bells ringing in the distance.

“He got you in bed, he got you a penthouse, and now you’re on an allowance with a bodyguard, and are one of many lovers.”

“No…n-no.” I shook my finger, wiggling around to sit upright. “I am his woman, they are the lovers.”

“Semantics, Chazzy. I just…” She huffed, tapping her fingers on her knees. “This ain’t you, sugar. You’re changin’.”