Page 78 of Steamy Ever After

She squints, that trademark Jane-esque anger making her breathe fast. “I am not a bitch.”

Her lack of bite leaves me disappointed. Deep down, I know there’s a warring queen waiting to put me in my place, but even though she watches me with a severe stare, she just folds. I try to gauge where her head is at—does she truly not want to fight? Is she that tired? Or is it because she’s embarrassed about what I overheard?

I step closer and notice blemishes across her chest and up her neck. A blush or a sign of what she was just up to?

“No, you’re not always a bitch.” My eyes flicker over her shoulder toward her bed, where I spot the accomplice to her activities in the shape of a small purple wand. “Then again, maybe you’re different tonight because something cheered you up.”

She hurries to shut the door, but then stops, tracking my gaze. I lean in, inhaling her scent and watch her breathing speed up. She licks her lips, making them look even more irresistible. Even more tantalizing. Even more Come stick your cock in and…

“Goodnight, Joe,” she says, slamming the door in my face, leaving me practically panting with need.

JOE

“I told you she’s hot.”

Even if I’m not looking at Will, I know he’s smirking.

“Sure, she’s cute, but she’s such a pain in my ass.”

The line for the club moves ahead.

“So? Don’t you think her brattiness makes her that much cuter?”

“Dude, all my laundry. On the floor.”

Ahead of us, some women cut in line, hugging their friends who’ve let them under the rope.

I’m getting too old for this. I know I’m only twenty-nine, but waiting in line on the opening night of a new club, never knowing if it’ll be worth the effort, is growing stale.

“Yes, but to be fair, you’re a big boy,” Will says, gripping my shoulder. “Shouldn’t you be taking care of your laundry?”

“I take care of my laundry.”

We move up a few feet and I shove my hands in my pockets when I notice a sexy blond at the front looking my way. Cutting just below her ass, her skin tight dress highlights her endless legs, but strangely, I feel no attraction to her. Instead, I return to my conversation.

“It doesn’t matter. What Jane did was rude and annoying and fucking childish.”

“Joe, you doth protest too much. I think you two should sleep together,” he proposes, as if suggesting to pick up Thai food.

“Have you lost your mind?” I exclaim, a little too loudly, earning some curious glares. I wait until everyone has turned away to continue. “Why would I sleep with her?”

He chuckles. “It might ease the tension.”

“I doubt that would help. It would, however, make things even more fucking awkward.”

“Awkward? Why? Because she dumped your laundry on the floor?”

Though I told him about Jane’s stunt with my clothes, I didn’t go into all the messy details from last night.

I run a hand through my hair. “And other reasons. Listen, I’m not going to sleep with her, okay? It’s against the rules.”

“Your rules. Did you ever think that it could help you two relax and get along better?”

“And what about Gaby? She’ll end me. Like she’ll actually come home and murder me.”

“Would she though?” He cocks his head.

“You’ve met your sister, right? There’d be blood. Anyway, Gaby warned me before she left—nothing was to happen between me and Jane.”

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