Page 66 of Return on Love

I take a deep breath to calm my racing heart. “You never loved me or even respected me. You just wanted me to be the woman you could flaunt to your friends. To make sure I stayed, you constantly belittled me, saying I was inferior, not good-looking or intelligent enough. Guess what! I finally realize that it was all you, your insecurities that made you speak like that. I finally know I’m better than you… in everything.”

Bob’s eyes open wide. His smirk is gone, replaced by a gaping mouth.

I have to finish what I want to say before I change my mind. “I can only thank Priscilla. Because of her, I could break free from your clutches and understand I’m more than what you made me believe. I don’t wish anything bad for you. Actually, I don’t even want to think of you. You were a bad chapter in my life, one that forced me to grow, and it’s ended now. And I’m so glad that I’ll never ever see your stupid face again.”

I take a deep breath, full of relief. Who knew I had so much bottled up inside me? I turn to Ryan, who is smiling. Before I know it, he holds me by the waist and reels me to him, so close that I can feel his heartbeat. I look into his pool-like eyes and want to dive inside. He pulls me even closer, and my entire body is on fire. I can feel him even through the layers of clothes between us. With his one hand still on my waist, he buries the other in my hair. Then he lowers his face a little.

“I want to devour you right now, this strong, independent woman who stands before me. You make me feel so lucky, Eva.”

His breathing has quickened, so has mine, as he brings his face so close that his features blur. I close my eyes as his lips brush against mine. I can’t take it anymore and go up on my toes to bridge the remaining gap, parting his lips slowly with my tongue. Our tongues play with each other, not desperate, not hungry, but with an ease as if we have all the time in the world. As if we can keep doing it till the end of time and still not have enough. It’s a long, slow, beautiful kiss that has me completely wet.

We stop when Bob clears his throat.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” Ryan says, pulling away and licking his lips. “Almost forgot you’re here. Eva has that kind of effect on me, y’know.”

I walk out, a little smile on my face. I hear Ryan’s voice as he follows me. “And Bob, you don’t even know what we plan to do tonight. I doubt you even have the imagination to think it. I can’t thank you enough for breaking up with the smartest and sexiest girl on earth.”

My heart is still pacing as we exit the building. I look at Ryan. “Thank you.”

“Why?”

“For standing by me and saying things to make Bob feel a punch in the gut.”

“Well, you had told me to not punch him physically, but I couldn’t let him say false things about you. And the best part is, I didn’t even have to lie.”

What? I shake my head. He just wants to make me feel better. That’s all that statement meant. Don’t read too much into it.

“So, did you get all your stuff?”

“Yeah, I did. At least the one that mattered. You wanna have coffee? The café is right there.” I say, pointing to a small coffee place that had been my haven while I stayed with Bob.

The box is small so we can easily take it along with us. Once we’ve ordered our coffee and a blueberry muffin, my thoughts go back to the problem at hand. I realize that since last night, I’d been unconsciously thinking about meeting Bob and worrying so much about what he might say to me that it was taking up more than half my focus. With that dealt with and, if I might say so myself, in a very satisfying way, my brain is in full blast mode.

“Why do you think Weber’s framing Bernard?”

Ryan shrugs. “For partnership? More control?”

I shake my head. “It doesn’t make sense. I mean, sure, they disagree on many things and probably with Bernard out, Weber will have more influence, but would he frame him not just for negligence but for swindling money from the firm?” I pause as I wait for the waitress to serve our coffees and muffin. “Going to crazy lengths for influence? No. It has to be more.”

“If you put it that way, I agree. There’s always a chance of getting caught. The returns are not commensurate with the risk.”

“Exactly. And Weber may try bizarre ways to achieve his plans, but he wouldn’t do it for such measly returns. That’s what Bernard had also said when I talked to him. I’m starting to see his point now. We’re missing something.”

“What about CashCross? Do you really think the two are linked?”

“My gut tells me they are. But as of now, I’m not sure of anything. The only good thing that happened was the meeting with Bob. Y’know I’d been dreading meeting him since we broke up. He always makes me feel so….” I just press my lips together.

Ryan stands up and takes a place right next to me. He holds me by the shoulder. “You did well today. The look on his face when you told him off was priceless.”

I grin. “It was, wasn’t it?”

“Shall I tell you something? If you promise not to take it otherwise.”

I look at him. “No such promises, mister. But now you’ve piqued my interest, so go ahead.”

“No. I don’t want you getting angry or anything.”

I shake my head and take a sip of my coffee. “Ok. Fine. I promise. Now spit it out.”

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