Page 60 of Manic

"Cut the crap, Lexi," I say, my voice steely. "You damn well know I have an ol' lady. You need to respect that, or I swear I'll bring it up at the nextkirkjathat we should vote you out."

The threat hangs in the air between us, heavy and real.

I mean every word of it, and from the flicker of uncertainty in Lexi's eyes, I can tell she knows it.

But then her expression shifts, a sultry smile replacing the pout. "Ooh, I like it when you get all spicy and dominant," she purrs, stepping closer.

Her hand trails down my chest, and I resist the urge to physically push her away.

I grab her wrist, removing her hand from my body. "This isn't a game, Lexi," I warn, my voice low. "Back off. Now."

As I stare her down, I can't help but think about how different she is from Meghan.

Where Meghan is genuine and warm, Lexi is all fake and cold calculation.

It only solidifies what I already know—Meghan is the only woman for me, and no amount of flirting or manipulation from Lexi is going to change that.

I hear the familiar sound of footsteps approaching, and my heart rate picks up.

I know those steps anywhere—Meghan.

She comes into view, her ashy blonde hair swinging as she pulls it up into a ponytail.

Her light sage green eyes narrow as they lock onto Lexi, who's still standing far too close to me.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing?" Meghan's voice is sharp, cutting through the tension in the air.

Lexi turns, a smirk playing on her lips.

She chuckles, the sound grating on my nerves. "Whatever I damn well want to, sweetheart. After all, I'm the one who kept his bed warm while you were away."

My blood boils at her words.

I can't let Meghan think that's true. "Uh, no," I interject, my voice firm. "Anyhoradid that I wanted, not just your ass."

I watch Meghan's face carefully, worried about how she'll react.

But to my surprise, she looks right at Lexi, her expression cool and collected.

"If you're trying to make me jealous, it's not going to work," Meghan states, her voice steady. "We weren't together, so anything that happened in the time we were apart doesn't matter."

I feel a surge of pride at her words.

That's my girl, standing her ground.

But Lexi isn't backing down.

She runs her hand over my chest, her touch making my skin crawl.

I want to push her away, but I'm curious to see how Meghan will handle this.

"You're gonna wanna stop doing that," Meghan warns, her voice low and dangerous.

Lexi, oblivious to the storm brewing in Meghan's eyes, laughs. "Oh? And why would I want to do something like that?"

I can see the shift in Meghan's stance, the way her muscles tense.

I know what's coming, and a part of me is eager to see it.

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