Page 44 of The Woman

“I’m pretty sure it is true,“ Mario joins in. “Someone my cousin works with picked a WOUN, and she kept it hidden for about a month before he found out, and she was sent away.”

A bang sounds from the kitchen, and my eyes want to search her out, but considering the subject at hand, I feel it’s best to ignore her.

“How are they cracking down on them?” Leonard asks, grabbing another handful of veggies and dropping a few on the table.

I chew slower and focus on Edison, not wanting to miss anything that he’s saying since he’s talking in a low voice as if someone is listening in.

“I don’t know, some random sweep thing, whatever that is. I overheard some of the partners at the firm talking.”

“How are things at the firm anyway?” Mario asks Edison.

I’m grateful for the change in conversation, and my focus returns to Avery, although I still keep my eyes on the guys and the game.

Avery returns with some napkins, and I just know it’s on purpose when she drops one into my lap, especially when she reaches down to pick it up, rubbing a hand across my crotch and over my cock a lot harder than need be. My body reacts to it. Of course, it does. So I wave her hand away and shove a chunk of cauliflower into my mouth, angrily chewing it.

Back and forth she comes after that with different items or to refill drinks, and each time, she’ll find some reason to touch me, and somehow, more often than not, it’s done in a sexual way.

This woman is successfully fucking with me and getting me worked up.

She heads back to the kitchen once again, and then comes back with a plate of cut meat and cheese, but this time, after placing it on the table, she runs a hand over my shoulders.

“You look tense. Would you like me to rub your shoulders?” Her voice is soft and sexy as she asks.

I turn my head, ready to tell her no while attempting to refrain from scowling, but then Mario pipes up next to us, circling his shoulders repeatedly. “I wouldn’t mind one–”

“Thanks,” I cut in, reaching up and keeping her fingers clamped down where they are. “That would be great.”

I lift my cards and try to ignore her hands running over my shoulders, pressing into my muscles and releasing some of the tension.

It feels good. Too fucking good.

We start placing our bets, and then she leans in really close, pretending to be working on a particularly tight spot, but really, it’s to whisper in my ear. “Should I massage your friend?”

With barely any words, she’s managed to make the recently loosened muscles tense up once again, along with making the pain in my jaw return. My nostrils flare.

“You guys need to leave,” I announce loudly.

They’re all suddenly quiet, looking at me confused.

“What?” Edison asks.

“I have a headache coming on. I’m going to bed.”

Mario smirks. “If you want to fuck her, you could have just said that. Or just go do it,” he adds, gesturing to the couch. “We don’t mind.”

I’m about to tell him to get the fuck out when Edison speaks up. “Nah, come on, guys. I actually feel like a drink. Let’s head to the bar.”

They all start getting to their feet, and I follow them to the door, offering Edison a grateful glance before saying goodbye and closing the door behind them.

That woman has driven me crazy long enough.

Chapter 20

Phoenix

After the click of the front door, I stalk slowly toward her, my chest heaving and heart pounding. The headstrong woman in my apartment stands straight as I approach, her chin tilting up ever so slightly as it so often does.

“You have been testing me all night.” My voice comes out more lethal and lower than I intended. But it doesn’t seem to faze her.

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