Page 144 of Naughty & Nice

My nostrils flare as I fight to drag in the air I need as I continue glaring at Wilder.

“Go on, listen to your woman. You’ve given her your balls now, after all.”

Lifting my hands, I shove him back and out of my space.

“Fucking pussy,” he taunts.

“Go and find your whore to take your attitude out on. We’re not fucking interested in your little tantrum.”

His lips curl into a snarl, but I refuse to back down.

In the past, I would have. But now, I’ve got something—someone—to really fight for.

He can say anything he wants about anyone in the world. But not her.

Especially not after the week we’ve had.

“I will. She’ll be better than anything else I’ve had recently, that’s for sure.”

My arm is moving before I’ve processed the thought, and my fist lands on Wilder’s cheek a beat later.

The front door to the house slams, and someone comes running over to us at the same time Noelle screams my name.

“That’s enough,” Benny, one of Wilder’s teammates, barks as he steps between us.

“We’re done anyway,” Wilder says, his shoulders relaxing as he swipes his bag from where it fell on the ground.

“Are you okay?” Noelle asks, lifting my hand to inspect the damage.

It hurts. Fuck, does it hurt. But it was worth it. And I’d do it a million times over if he’s going to spew shit like that.

“Yeah, never better,” I lie.

“Come on, let’s go home,” Noelle says, taking my hand and leading me back to the car.

I keep my focus on Noelle and the road ahead as I pull my seatbelt back on. My hands are still trembling with the anger simmering just beneath the surface.

I tell myself not to look back.

He’s an asshole, and he doesn’t deserve it. But right before I pull away, my head twists around of its own accord.

I find him immediately—twin intuition or some shit—and the second our eyes collide, my heart sinks.

He’s standing at the kitchen window watching us, and he no longer looks angry.

He just looks sad.

Noelle reaches over and squeezes my thigh, dragging me from any concerns I might have.

Wilder is big enough to look after himself now. The person who deserves my full attention is sitting beside me.

“Ready to show me your bedroom?” I tease.

“I might have to tidy up first. I’ve probably got panties all over my floor,” she laughs.

“Doesn’t matter. We can add another pair,” I retort before pressing my foot to the gas and speeding away.

“Home sweet home,” I announce as Noelle opens our front door and I haul our luggage inside.

---