Page 6 of Breaking Storm

Her leg slides over my thighs, straddling me, and says, “Fine! Marry, but we’ll stay together. I’ll be your mistress. Marry her for appearances and fuck me for life.”

“Not going to happen.” I grab her by the waist and plant her in the booth. To avoid any more of this conversation, I stand and say, “We’re over.”

As I’m walking out, she runs to me, clawing at my clothes. “No! You can’t do this to me. You’re mine.” I hold her wrists while she continues to cry. “Don’t do this to me! To us! We can still be together!”

One of my other bodyguards, Frankie, happens to be in the bar and witnesses our exchange, pulling Katie from behind me. Out the door, down the street, I hear her screaming and crying my name. Although I’m an asshole, I dislike hurting her. Katie worships me. She did anything I asked of her, and this is how I repay her. It’s a shitty situation, but there’s not much I can do about it.

The temperature has dropped, so I zip my jacket up, tucking my hands inside of it. Passing a park I played at as a kid, I observe an intimate couple, and then I stop. The lamp light highlights copper streaks of hair. It’s Teagan, and she’s on some guy’s lap. They’re kissing and she’s rolling her hips into him. My hands ball into fists. Rage ignites, heating things up. I watch as his hands slide up and down Teagan’s thighs, drifting to her ass, massaging it. Air is sucked from my lungs. Those aremyfucking thighs and ass.

Now, I’m standing in front of them by the bench, and they still haven’t detected my presence. Finally, dickhead’s eyes widen at me while Teagan’s lips are on his. He pulls her closer, sets her on the seat, and stands in front of her. His chivalry makes me laugh.

He rattles off words. “Look, dude. We don’t want any trouble.”

Teagan wraps her hand around his forearm to stand, and says, “Um, I know him, Ashton.”

Ashton. A pussy name. More like Asston. He’s probably a college boy who recites Keats, and drinks wine from a mason jar to show everyone how he refuses to conform to society’s norms. I don’t like him.

That’s because he has her.

Fuck off, conscience.

I tilt my head to the side and ask Teagan, “Aren’t you going to introduce us?”

Teagan licks her lips, a nervous habit I’m guessing, and swallows slowly. Damn those lips. How I fantasized about them a million times, and now this fucker has wiped out all illusions.

Her eyes shift fromAsstonto me, and she says, “Um, could you give us some more time?”

Instead of agreeing, images of his hands and lips on her have me denying her request.

“Don’t be an asshole, Joe.”

“Say your goodbyes and come with me.”

Asston’s face puckers into confusion. “What does he mean, goodbye?”

Oh, so she hasn’t told him yet. Was she planning on fucking him first to give him a banging farewell?

Her thumb and forefinger pinch the bridge of her nose. “Well, there’s something I need to talk to you about.” Teagan peeks at him through her lashes and continues, “I…”

She attempts to take his hand in hers, but I knock it to the side. Teagan glowers at me, and I smile at her cuteness.

“Go away, Joey.”

I turn to the guy and announce, “This is the last time you’ll ever touch my fiancé.” Then I step closer to her. “Say goodbye and let’s go.”

The color in her face flares into a reddish hue. She folds her arms in front of her and blows out a breath, fogging the air. I move five feet, turn, and watch them.

Teagan shifts to the guy and says, “I’m getting married.”

He falls back a bit like she slapped him in the face. “What? Married?” Asston glances back and forth, stopping and pointing at me in disgust. “To this guy?”

She lifts her right shoulder, rubs her chin with it, and whispers ayes.

“But we… we’ve been together for a year.” Teagan avoids his eyes. “How long has this been going on, Teagan?”

Again, she avoids his stare, and before she can answer, he grabs her by the arms. I’m on him so fast, he’s dumbfounded.

I cock my arm back, but Teagan jumps in front, begging, “Please don’t, Joey. This isn’t his fault.”

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