Page 37 of His Secret Obsession

He arches his eyebrow in an expression that says“and the problem is?”

Making long strides towards the doorway, I grab the coat off the nearby hook and jam my arms into the sleeves before zipping it up. My heart beats a little faster and I tense, watching him as I ready myself to leave. Any second, I’m expecting him to leap up and do something crazy. Like throw me over his shoulder or block the doorway with his much stronger body.

But he doesn’t do anything. He merely watches me with a knowing expression. There’s a twinkle in his eyes, his lips curling with amusement. I pull the front door open, pausing in the doorway to glance over my shoulder at him.

Still, he remains seated. He nods towards the doorway, giving me an expectant look. Is he calling my bluff? Because I will go.I’m not calling out of work, missing a day’s worth of pay, and listening to Irene bitch me out. Huffing, I slam the door shut behind me and stomp down the porch steps.

“Idiot.” I throw my car door open and sink down into the driver’s seat. “He probably just wanted to piss me off. It’s like a damn sport for him.” Pulling my keys out of my pocket, I put them into the ignition. “For someone who was so determined to keep me home, he sure isn’t doing shit now, is he?” I smirk as I turn the key in the ignition.

And nothing happens. I pause.

“What the hell?”

I turn the key in the ignition again. And again.

Nothing.

My head snaps towards the front door, realization dawning on me. I release a closed-mouth scream, pounding a closed fist on the steering wheel once.

“That fucker!” How dare he?

Yanking my keys out of the ignition, I keep my head held high as I storm back inside. The door slams behind me, and I stand in the entryway with my arms crossed over my chest. My eyes narrow. The smug bastard is still sitting in the same spot, looking rather pleased with himself.

“Did you do something to my car?”

“Who? Me?” His gaze takes a dramatic sweep around the room before pointing his finger at his own chest.

“Fix it right now,” I snap. “I have to get to work.”

He shrugs. “Sorry, no can do. I need to open my shop.” Standing up, he takes his plate to the dishwasher.

“Jax, don’t you dare leave without fixing my car.”

He winks at me, whistling a tune under his breath as he puts his coat on.

“Jax!” I hiss. “I swear on everything you love—”

He clucks his tongue at me, reaching up once to tweak my nose. I bat at his hand, and he chuckles.

“Behave,” he admonishes, his overly cheerful tone grating on my nerves.

“Jax,” I begin to warn him. “I’m not playing—”

The door slams in my face and I silently fume as he bounds down the front porch.

“—around.”

Throwing the front door open, I ignore the rush of chilly air as I call out his name. He continues walking towards his shop, only slowing to glance over his shoulder. I flip him the bird, and he throws his head back with a booming laugh. I’m glad he doesn’t notice the reluctant twitch of my lips.

So, I stay home for a third day, and I decide I don’t hate it.

Maddison

Andrew: I put an air horn under the boss’s chair like you asked me to. It got him real good! The whole shop was cracking up.

God, that sounds wonderful. Wish I had been there to see it!

Andrew: Fair warning! He’s on his way home now, and he looks like he’s out for blood.

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