Page 108 of Rush of Jealousy

I raise my hands in the air. “I sure did.”

“But I’m not worth fives?”

“Hmm, maybe a few of those. But only if you give me a worthwhile lap dance. This girl has a healthy sexual appetite, so I expect some fancy moves. Maybe even a headstand or a cartwheel.”

He shakes his head at me, and I join him in laughter. That is how it is with us. One second we are fighting, the next laughing. We can go from serious to fun like the flip of a switch. I fix my hair into a messy bun on top of my head and secure it with a band from inside my purse.

When Graham is in his solid black trunks, he wraps me into a thick blanket and helps me into a pair of slip-on shoes.

“Ready?” he asks softly.

“I think so.”

The air outside is very chilly, but the steam rises like fog from the hot tub, giving me comfort in knowing I won’t be cold for long. Graham removes the blanket from me and places it on a neighboring chair. I kick off my shoes and step down into the tub. His hand on my upper arm steadies me, and I sink into the water.

“Ow, this is hot,” I yelp.

“It does take some getting used to,” he confirms with a laugh.

Graham pours us two glasses of wine and places them along the decorative brick edge. I eye my glass and take the first sip.

“Truth serum?” I ask with a smirk.

His smile brightens. “Whatever it takes.”

He joins me in the water, and I move over to sit on his lap. Being this close to him is therapy for my soul. He feels so good. I cuddle up with my back to his front and lean my head on his shoulder, feeling the hair at the base of my neck getting saturated.

“Is it safe to say I am missing class tomorrow?” As soon as I ask the question, I realize I have a writing assessment for Human Behavior. Shit.

“I’ll get you there on time. We are leaving very early in the morning. I know how dedicated you are to your studies and wouldn’t want to cause you added stress.”

I turn so he can see my face. “Thank you,” I mouth.

“But I cannot keep you unguarded. I am not willing to budge on this topic.”

“Can we at least discuss it?”

“It won’t change anything.”

“Graham…” I move so I can sit beside him and still see his face.

“Angie.” His face is stern—unyielding.

We sit like this with the only sound between us coming from the roaring bubbles surrounding us and the rustle of leaves from the swaying trees. I lean my head back and look up at the stars and the moon. It’s like we are in another world. We are protected here, from any outside influences. While I know this feeling is only temporary, I yearn to hold on to it with all my might. To resist change with everything in my soul. Here, we are finally coexisting—trying to figure out how to be together without completely jeopardizing the things we each find nonnegotiable.

“I need you to be upfront with me about your plans in regard to my protection. Do you think it is really necessary?”

“Yes,” he answers, his volume raised. “It is one hundred percent necessary.” His eyes move out to the water, and I can tell his shoulders tense up. When he looks back at me, he is shielded. My heart skips at how affected he is from all of this chaos. Between the Mark situation and the girls getting drugged…to me getting drugged and his quest to find justice for Penny. It is all taking a toll on him.

“Can you please just try to let me know what you plan to do? I’ll do my best to cooperate, unlike I have in the past. Can you please still let me drive my car? If you take away all of my independence, I can’t keep myself from lashing out in defiance. I’ve been doing things on my own since I left home for school, and it’s hard relinquishing all of the control over to you. Please understand that.”

He takes a sip of his wine and hands me mine. It is a delicious blend, and the smell itself is intoxicating.

He clears his throat and places his glass back down along the side. He scoops me back up and I straddle his legs. He kisses the strap around my neck and runs his hands over my bare ass cheeks. This suit barely covers anything. I suppose to him, that is the point.

“Can I buy you a new car?”

“What? No.”

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