Page 29 of Married with Mayhem

“Then associates. Call it whatever you want. Nobody should have violated your privacy that way. Who’d you send the photo to originally?”

He blows out some laughter. “Fuck if I remember. I’m sure I got something in return.”

“How adorable. Can’t you just let me apologize?”

“No apology needed. I’m not bothered if you saw a picture of my dick a year ago.”

“But I didn’t see a picture of your dick. That’s what I’m trying to tell you.”

“All right.” He shrugs. “Your loss.”

This conversation is rapidly becoming ridiculous. “I didn’t say IwishedI could see it.”

“Good, because I’m not making you an offer.”

This guy. He simply cannot resist the opportunity to have the last word. I regret saying anything. I’m slightly tempted to throw the deck of playing cards at his head but the idea is impractical. They’d just fly all over the place and probably wouldn’t even hit him.

“I’m sure you wouldn’t have looked at my naked photo either,” I say.

His eyes slowly drag over to my face. The flicker of heat within their dark depths halts my breath. He hasn’t moved from his side of the couch and yet it feels like he’s drawing closer, inch by inch. “Are youreallysure of that, Sabrina?”

When his voice turns to molten lust, I’m sure of nothing. The vibe shift between us crackles with risk and my heart slams against the wall of my chest.

Monte awaits my reaction with a smirk of amusement. He’s a liar when he claims he’s no fan of games. He’s playing one right now.

This is destined to be one of those moments when I’ll think of a proper retort three hours later. At present, my mind is vacant and my pulse is racing.

The hour is late and I’m on his territory. If he’s simply trying to get under my skin, he’s succeeded. If he wants to make it clear that he calls the shots, we’ll see about that.

“Yes.” I raise my chin and hold his gaze. “I’m sure, Monte. You wouldn’t have disrespected me that way.”

His silence is unnerving as I set the cards down on the table, right beside his gun, before rising from the couch. It’s a small miracle that I’m not trembling.

There’s nothing new about receiving a pointed stare or a suggestive remark from a man. Just not from him. I don’t even believe he was trying to flirt. I think he sensed he had the option to rattle me and he took it.

“I’m tired,” I say. “Think I’ll give sleep another try.”

“You do that.” Monte reaches for a throw blanket draped over an armchair. “Let’s hope this next effort sticks. Being your hero today has worn me out.”

It’s on the tip of my tongue to hotly deny that Monte is any way my ‘hero’. But he did run to the airport to liberate me from cyberattack Armageddon. He meticulously shopped for every item I requested. He brought me home. He gave me his room. He charged in there with his gun when he heard me shriek.

What more could I possibly expect?

“Good night, Monte Carlo.”

“Good night, Gamer Girl.”

I’ll never know if he watches me walk away. I don’t turn around again as I retreat to his bedroom. When I swiftly close the door and lean against the wood, my sigh is a mixture of relief and confusion. This time I flip the lock.

Nico and Livy must have finally exhausted themselves. Aside from a faint giggle, the neighboring room is quiet.

It’s impossible to climb into Monte’s bed again without picturing the contours of his strong body. This bed is where he stretches out, where he sleeps. This bed is also where he fucks.

That last thought is jarring. It’s a virtual certainty that he’s brought girls back here. And when that happens, I’m sure he doesn’t stay on the couch with a throw blanket.

The sudden weight in my chest feels suspiciously like jealousy. I switch the lamp off, hug his pillow tightly, and blink at the darkness as I wonder about these other girls. If they’re pretty. If he likes them. If they yell with ecstasy like Livy when he makes them come.

I bet they do. After all, I listen to gossip. Monte has skills.

---