Page 62 of Unleashed

Again, I open the door without a preview. It’s not like I would turn away a serial killer or the Grim Reaper.

My eyes land on a throat. As they travel up, they glide over Greg Rodwell’s sexy face. I straighten with a gasp and blink away the surprise, hoping I’m not hallucinating. “What are you doing here?”

His gaze lands on my tits, and my hardening nipples beg for him to notice. I wish I regretted taking off my bra, but I don’t. Greg’s eyes meet mine, and instead of looking away, I hold them with mine. I’ve stared into his eyes while making love, but now they’re indifferent. His voice breaks my staring. “I forgot my key.”

“For?”

As I grapple with not knowing what to do, Greg pushes past me into the entryway. From the living room, my father watches us. Greg waves and then faces me, mumbling, “Let’s get this shit done.”

Through my teeth, I whisper, “But why? You said—”

He slices his hand through the air, mumbling, “Five minutes is all you get.”

I nod, stunned. Greg isn’t letting me do this alone. I could kiss him—but I won’t. “I’ll do the talking,” I mouth, and Greg shrugs. He follows me into the living room. Instead of sitting down with me on the couch, Greg offers my dad a handshake. Nice touch, but we’re ending this, not winning him over. His black watch accentuates his sexy wrist, and I lick my lower lip to keep from drooling.

Going along with the last-minute plan, I say, “Dad, this is Greg. Greg, this is my dad, Marc Garrison.” Dad doesn’t stand up and hesitates before returning the handshake.

“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Garrison. Like South Park, huh? Where is Mr. Hand?” Greg snorts, and I cringe as my dad wrinkles his nose like he smells rotten cheese.

“It’s Dr. Garrison. I thought Simone told you I’m an orthodontist?”

Greg releases Dad’s hand and steps back, slipping his hand into his dark hair, and it mesmerizes me. I hate that. “Oh, I’m sorry. Yeah. I fell on my head a lot as a kid.” Jesus Christ, Greg.

I shoot Greg a look, but he sits on the couch without looking at me. He’s still wearing a jacket, so he wasn’t kidding about not staying long. And then I see he’s wearing his silver wedding ring. My heart stops. Dead. Out of order. Gone for good. I don’t know whether to be shocked or furious. Sad or... I know what I can’t be.

Dad’s horror escalates, and I warn him with a glare, but it’s fucking useless since he’s soulless. Ignoring me, my father continues to judge Greg. “I’d also like to say it’s nice to meet you, but we’ll see.”

Greg mutters, “I get it. I’m not for everyone.”

Slapping on a smile I learned from my brother, I sit beside Greg. His citrusy musk cologne makes my mouth water, and I lick my lips again, no doubt looking like a thirsty lizard in a desert. Narrowing his eyes at me, Dad sighs as if I failed out of school. “I was thinking you were a figment of my daughter’s imagination. Maybe even a scam.” I wonder if Greg would kick my father’s ass next.

Greg smirks and my heart flutters because I drank too much caffeine. “No figment. I’m as real as a heart attack.” Classy.

We sit in uncomfortable silence, with Dad studying Greg more than he’s ever cared to learn about me. “Simone tells me you work at a gas station.” No, no, no. Greg is so going to ruin this.

Tripping over confusion and his words, Greg laughs but then frowns. He starts, stops, and sighs several times before saying, “Uh, I sure do.” My heart surges, but his clenched fists on his knees tell me he’ll never help me again.

My dad throws his hand out and then touches his mustached lip before asking, “Where have you been, though? It’s evident you don’t live here.”

Before Greg answers, I say, “Dad, please.”

Greg sits back against the couch and rests his folded hands between his thighs. “I’ve been around. It’s like this...” He sighs, and it both scares and thrills me. He could say something that blows this to pieces, but I can’t help but watch him lick his bottom lip as he shakes his head. “I’ve been staying with a friend. Simone and I had an argument.”

My father chuckles like he heard a nonsensical knock-knock joke. “It’s obvious, but that shouldn’t explain why you don’t live with Simone as man and wife. Or are you hoping she’ll be the breadwinner? Since her father is wealthy, you may see pumping gas and cleaning the soda machine as a joy ride.”

Surprised even he would slither that low, I gasp, “Dad, that’s not fair! Greg isn’t here for you to critique his life!”

As Greg struggles with a response and I stare at my father, expecting an apology, Dad doesn’t give a shit as disappointment laces his words. “Now, Simone, I will not tolerate a man you just met and married shirking his duties. As a wife, you should know this.”

I shrink against the couch but keep my thigh against Greg’s. It comforts me a little. Greg clears his throat. “I’m sorry. My duties?”

My father’s eyes narrow as he locks his gaze on my ex, his words dripping with annoyance. “I expect you to act like a husband.”

Greg pushes up his jacket sleeves, and I bite my lip. Christ, it’s hot in here. Greg’s voice is a sharp razor blade slicing through the unbearable friction. “Oh, really?”

I twitch my leg against him, bouncing his against mine. I mumble, “Greg...”

He waves his hand to shut me up. “No way. Your dad needs to hear this. We shouldn’t be ashamed.”

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