Page 78 of Married With Lies

“You should be careful,” Grant says.

“Of Cale? Please, I don’t care what you’ve heard. Cale is a teddy bear and we’re very happy together.”

“You should be careful,” Grant repeats.

Then he smiles the kind of pointy, evil grin that isn’t often seen outside of comic books.

My breath catches. I’ve worked hard to block out the shame but now it’s back. His threat is clear and he might be foolish enough to carry it out.

“Go to hell,” I whisper and stand up so suddenly that I end up knocking my water glass into Grant’s lap anyway. Score!

But when I try to flee there’s a broad chest in my way. Cale steadies me and takes a good look at my face. Anger flares in his green eyes. He turns his attention to Grant, who is too busy mopping up his pants with a napkin to realize he’s just incurred the wrath of Cale Connelly.

Cale doesn’t even know what just happened. I’ve said almost nothing to him about my relationship with Grant. He simply sees I’m upset and that’s enough for him to be furious.

Now in full protective mode, Cale cradles me to his side and waits for Grant to finish wiping his crotch. Cale’s rage is almost palpable and if anyone other than Grant was on the receiving end, I might feel sorry for him.

Finally, Grant throws the wet napkin aside and looks up.

I’ve never actually seen the blood drain from someone’s face. This is a first.

“We’ve never actually met,” Cale says. “I’m Cale Connelly.”

Grant’s Adam’s apple bobs. “I’ve heard your name.”

Cale nods. “Yeah, I’ll bet you have. And you’ll want to remember exactly what you’ve heard the next time you decide to bother my wife.”

Grant lets out a weak croak, then recovers and clears his throat. “It’s just that Sadie and I go way back and I wanted to say hello.”

“Now you’ve said it. So get your soggy dick up out of that chair and get the fuck out of my sight before I get annoyed.”

Grant doesn’t exactly jump. But he also doesn’t waste any time scrambling out of his seat and hurrying in the opposite direction without looking back.

I tip my head back to look up at Cale. “You’re so cute when you’re being scary.”

His face relaxes and his right eyebrow peaks with good humor. “I’ve had a lot of practice.” Then a shadow falls over his face. “You’ll never have any reason to be afraid of me. You know that, right?”

“I do know that. But I’ll be more convinced if you dance with me,” I say, and try to pull him towards the dance floor.

He hangs back. “Hold on, give it a minute.”

“Why? And where did you go anyway? From what I could see you didn’t even touch your food.”

“Wasn’t hungry. I had to make some calls.”

“Something important?”

“It’s work,” he says, evasive as usual. “Plus I needed to pay a bribe.”

“A bribe to who?”

He grins. Cocks his head to the side. Within seconds I hear it. The opening notes of Don’t Go Breaking My Heart. The bribe was obviously to the wedding DJ.

This man, I swear. He gets me.

Letting out a squeal of delight, I throw my arms around him. “You’re wonderful.”

Then I start dragging him to the dance floor because we’re missing the song and Cale Connelly is dancing with me whether he feels like it or not.

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