Page 123 of Unhinged

Simone nods, but her eyes remain desolate. I put my hands on her upper arms. “I won’t go. I don’t even want to.” That’s the truth. When Simone started working at the bar, I knew I was done for, and I canceled my date with Kleo. That’s before I ran off and got married. I feel bad now for not telling both Simone and Kleo, but it’s fucking hot, seeing Simone get jealous like I told her to do to Officer Cum Stain. I want her to feel what I did then.

Maybe I’m a dirty bastard.

Simone sighs. “I can’t tell you whom to date.”

I argue, “Yeah, you can.” She laughs but, it’s more cynical than funny. I ask, “Why’d you tell Cynthia we were dating? I’m not your boyfriend, Simone.”

Simone’s mouth falls open, and I want my tongue there. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything.”

Above her head, I put my left hand on the side of the truck and prop my other against the open passenger door. “You didn’t say enough.” I lean down, and Simone’s racing breaths match her darting eyes over my face.

“Like what?”

I whisper, “Like what am I to you?”

Simone’s gulp echoes between us and makes me swallow too. Her soft laugh is nervous, which is unusual, and she whispers, “A royal pain in the ass?”

“Besides that.” She stares up at me but says nothing. I tilt my head and ask, “While you’re thinking of that, can I give you an early kiss goodnight?”

Her grin is bright, like her sweater. “Yes.”

We meet each other halfway. Her lips are soft, eager, and still taste like maple syrup. I keep it at two seconds like she teased. It’s one of the hardest things I’ve had to do.

Simone puts her hands on my cheeks as I pull away, and the look in her eyes is messing with my head and pulse. “Kiss me better than that, baby. You’re my husband.”

Nothing else exists as those words sink into every part of me. Sort of dazed, I whisper, “Hot damn, I’m hard.”

She jerks my head to her and kisses me like I’m the CPR dummy, and she’s first in line. And I kiss her like a husband who wants his wife for more than just a goddamn year.

Oh, shit.

Shaking again, I end our kiss with a stiff laugh. “I guess I scored another date?”

“I don’t want this one to end.”

My smile melts. “I don’t, either.” I shrug and crook an eyebrow. “I know it’s only our first date, but—”

“I really want to spend the night with my legs wide open beneath my husband.”

I bend and kiss her again so fast that Simone stumbles against the seat with giggles against my lips.

Simone pushes my chest so I’ll stop kissing her. “Wait. I work tomorrow.”

“You don’t need clothes.”

“I will in the morning.”

“Call off. I know your boss really well.” Simone rolls her eyes. “Tell her you’re screwing her son for his mental health.”

She scratches her pink nails into my Henley beneath my coat. “I can’t do that.”

“Then, I will.” When I see her not budging, I sigh. “I’ll take you to Amos’s early. Just be with me tonight. It’s kind of the way it’s supposed to be, right?”

Simone nods but then shakes her head. “I want to, but I… I don’t want to set myself up for heartbreak, either.”

“You’re not. I swear to God.”

She pulls her dubious frown to the side but then grabs my shoulders and kisses me before whispering, “Screw it. I need this with you.” I moan against her lips, and she again pushes me. “It’s cold out here. Let’s continue our date in bed.”

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