Page 76 of The First Time

I’m the one who will love and support her while he will just treat her like a trophy wife. She will be there to look pretty and cook for him.

“I think we can let Layla decide what she wants. She has a brain and even knows how to use it,” I reply sharply.

Before William can respond, Layla steps in. “Well, it was so nice to see you, William. Congratulations again on the promotion.”

She grabs my hand and pulls me away even though I wasn’t done with the guy. I turn back around to see if he’s watching and am met with a cold look filled with jealousy. I could be the nice guy and just walk away like Layla is trying to do, but I’m not.

This man made me think I wasn’t good enough for her, and we lost ten years together because of him.

So, instead of walking away, I whip her around and slam my lips down on hers. I let my tongue mix with hers in a grueling kiss. I want him to see how hot we are for each other. I want him to witness what my lips can do to her.

When I pull away, she’s breathless. Thoroughly kissed with swollen lips and a dazed look in her eyes.

I smile down at her. “Just so he knows whoyou belong to.”

“I thought you made it pretty clear that I’m my own person to him,” she raises an eyebrow.

I grab her ass and pull her against me. “Baby, you are your own person, but you are alsomyperson, and he needs to know that. Got it?”

She nods her head and then leans in for a kiss. “I like you being all jealous and possessive of me.”

I growl into her mouth. “I can show you possessive anytime. We can go home right now, and I’ll give you possessive.”

“I look forward to it,” she says with a wink, then walks over to Charlotte.

I walk over to the guys and do my best to shake off our little interaction with her ex, but it wears on me the rest of the night. The stupid past is somehow repeating itself. Why did we have to run into him, of all people? And why is he still trying to go after her? Can’t he find another woman to marry him for his money or is his personality that repellent?

Chapter Twenty-Five

Layla

“Okay, so she’s already had some dinner, but since it’s still kind of early, she will want a snack. She can have fruit and some milk,” Charlotte says as we try to shuffle her out of the house.

“Got it. Fruit and milk,” I agree. “Now, go out and have fun.”

Josh is holding Brie while I get rid of Charlotte and my brother. Asher wants to take her out to dinner, so Josh and I agreed to babysit.

“Thanks so much for doing this,” Asher says. “We owe you two. Bye, baby girl, have fun with Aunt Layla and Uncle Josh.”

Wow. Josh has always been called Uncle Josh, but hearing our names together like that, like we’re married. It makes my entire body break out into goosebumps. I want that, and I want it with him.

I close the door and turn around. Josh and Brie are smiling back at me, and I think my heart explodes into a million pieces.

“So, what does my favorite niece want to do?” I ask as I walk back into the kitchen with them.

“I want to play hide and seek.”

“Ooh,” Josh replies. “I must warn you that I’m awesome at hide and seek.”

Brie giggles in his arms. “I bet you can’t find me.”

“I’m seeking first?” Josh asks.

She nods her head. “Uh huh. Come on, Auntie Lay-lay. Let’s go hide.”

Josh winks at me then covers his eyes and starts counting. “I’m only counting to thirty. You guys better hurry.”

He begins counting while Brie and I run up the stairs.