Page 19 of Chasing Storm

With the drink in hand, peering at Teagan, I swivel the chair and incline backwards. “I’ve got a lot of work ahead of me.”

She slides her lower lip between her teeth. “What’s wrong, Joey?”

The chair rotates toward the skyscrapers, and I take a sip of my drink. “Nothing.”

I gaze at Teagan’s reflection through the window as she rounds the desk, leaning against it behind me. “Joey.” Her hands rest on my head, bending over the back of the chair to kiss my hair. “I know you. Something’s wrong.”

My lips purse after another gulp of bourbon. I face her, grab hold of her waist, and yank her onto my lap. She gasps, straddling my lap, observing me while my hands draw circles over her hips and thighs. Her perfect little body fits to mine. I lay my hands on her waist, resting my forehead on her chest, and inhale her mixed scent of apple, honey, and lavender. It fogs my brain.

No matter how much I explain to Teagan what she means to me, she could never fully understand the bruises and cuts her actions cause me. From the most innocent of touches to speaking to another man, it feels like betrayal, rooting my soul in darkness. Disemboweling my emotions. Teagan’s my Achilles heel.

In a war-torn voice, I ask, “Do you like him?”

She applies pressure to my shoulders to capture my face, but I refuse to budge. I can’t allow her to see my weakness. To smear what little dignity I have left.

“Do I like who?”

“Elijah.”

Teagan’s hand grips my chin, forcing my head back. “What’s this about, Joey?”

I move my hands to the armrest and my head against the chair. “You and Elijah.”

“Me and Elijah, what?”

My eyes narrow on her, and then I turn away. “You know what. Don’t make a fool of me.”

Teagan’s hand slides into my hair, latching on, and jerks me toward her. She’s angry when she hisses, “Don’t you dare insult me. I’m your wife. I’ve been by your side, on the run, risking my life with you.” Her face comes within an inch of mine. “Do my actions sound like a woman willing to risk her marriage? A woman who is insanely in love with her husband?”

She shoves my head back, rises, and tries to escape me. I stand, seize her arm, dragging her into my arms.

“You drive me crazy, Tea.” I’m breathing heavily into her face. My hand coils through her long locks. “Every word spoken, smile, or laugh aimed at Elijah is a spear to my heart.” Teagan wiggles in my arms, trying to break free. I tighten my hold. “Remember? You’re my everything…but it appears you have a stash of affection for other men.”

She knees me in the balls, and I release her, grabbing hold of my dick. It wasn’t full force, but enough to cause me to fall back into the chair, squeezing my eyes shut to battle the pain.

Grabbing my hair, she tugs my head upwards, plants her face in front of mine, and spits out, “Affection for other men? Are you fucking kidding me? I’ve been nothing but loyal to you. In your rulebook, talking, smiling, and laughing with the opposite sex equates to cheating. Collect your fragile ego along with your balls and shove them up your ass.”

My eyes widen, surprised by her reaction. A reaction I did not expect. She’s gone before my breath normalizes and fuck me if it didn’t make me hard even after her knee to my groin. The Teagan I’ve known for years has appeared. Being on the run has left us brittle, but it’s also toughened her. She’s biting back.

I rotate the chair to look out onto the city. Lights twinkle along buildings like fireflies. Tea’s like a firefly, lighting up from passion and anger, and dimming when she’s content. Since our relationship took off, she hasn’t been this angry with me. My possessiveness and jealousy have pushed her to the edge. I can tell myself over and over how irrational it is to think Tea would cheat. Except the beast inside me, the part that’s hooked its claws onto her, doesn’t understand rationality. Part of my brain blows a fuse, and there’s no reasoning with my territorial tendencies.

The door opens, and I turn to see Elijah walking toward me.

“Listen, you dumb fuck. If you don’t go and apologize to your wife about acting like a dick, I can guarantee it will bite you in the ass.”

Who the fuck does he think he is telling me what to do with my wife?

“My marriage is none of your concern.”

He reaches over, grabs my shirt, and hoists me up. Out of instinct, I throw my arms upward, breaking his hold, and cock my arm back.

“One swing, Joe. That’s all you’ll get before you’re pulling goddamn splinters from your face after it’s smashed into the floor.”

I drop my arms and level a stare at him. “We’re out of here tomorrow.”

I’m by the door when he asks, “What if Teagan doesn’t want to leave?”

My body whips around so fast I shake my head from its dizzying effect. “You sonofabitch.”

---