Page 303 of The Heart You Kept

Her eyes hold mine. “You didn’t think to call me when you got back to the office.”

“Well, it was late, and I knew I would see you soon anyway.”

“Hmm.” She sips her wine and gets off my lap as if annoyed, she kicks off her high heels, sits down on the couch opposite and curls her legs up underneath her.

“How was your day?” I ask.

“Annoying.” Her eyes hold mine.

“How so?”

“I don’t want so much security anymore.”

“What?” I frown. “It’s nonnegotiable, you know that.”

“I had six men out the front of my store today.” She widens her eyes. “Six.”

“And your point is?”

“It’s overkill. Enough is enough.”

“You will be having security. End of story.”

“Don’t end of story me,” she snaps. “I have a say in my life too, you know.”

I sip my wine and slosh it around in my mouth, annoyed by her tone.

“I am well aware of that, but you have guards for a very good reason.”

“Such as?”

“Such as.” How do I say that my gut is telling me something is off? I try to word it right so as not to scare her. “Dangerous people are everywhere, Alora.”

“You’re being overdramatic.” She rolls her eyes.

“What’s with the fucking attitude,” I snap. “Cut it out. I don’t like it.”

“You know what I don’t like?” she fires back. “I’m under guard and can’t even fucking sneeze without your men watching what I do, and yet you can go missing all afternoon and that’s okay.”

“I was at a work lunch,” I spit.

“Really?”

“Where else would I fucking be?”

“Who knows.” She widens her eyes at me in a silent dare.

She’s looking for a fight.

“I don’t know what fucking mood you’re in tonight but snap out of it.” I get up and walk to the stairs. “I’m going to have a quick sauna before dinner. Are you coming?”

“Nope.” She sips her wine. “I’m very comfortable.”

“Really?” I snap. “You’re looking kind of pissy to me.”

Her eyes flicker red.

“Maybe you should come and take some of that anger out on my dick?”