Page 70 of Impending Consent

Rival chuckled. "He also said if I hurt you, they would never find my body."

I nearly choked. "He didn't."

"He did. Very calmly, with a smile, while shaking my hand."

I groaned, covering my face. "My family is embarrassing and a lot."

"Nah, they’re cool. They care about you."

"They're overprotective. There's a difference."

Rival shrugged, turning into the restaurant parking lot. “Either way, I get it, they love you."

We parked and he opened my door. After I was on my feet, he jerked me into his chest and his mouth was on mine. The kiss had me ready to say fuck food, but Rival took my hand and dragged me toward the entrance.

Comfort Food was busy, as expected for Sunday brunch, but our reservation secured us a table near the windows, so I was happy.

"You come here often?"

"Not as much as I would like to. Work keeps me busy, and when I do go out, it's usually to places with more of a social scene."

"You mean places where you would meet your next victim." I cringed but he kept his tone neutral.

"That's not always my motivation for going out."

"But it was a motivation."

Before I could respond, a waiter appeared to take our drink orders. I opted for a mimosa, Rival picked just juice. Whenwe were alone again, I studied Rival's face, trying to read his expression.

"Does my past bother you?"

"It's not about bothering me. It's more about me understanding who you are and what you want."

"What do you think I want?"

"That's what I'm trying to figure out."

“I don’t know what I want, but this feels good.”

He stared at me for a minute. “So stop fighting me then, because making you feel good is easy, Sail.”

My pussy received the message even if that wasn’t his intent but our conversation was interrupted when our drinks arrived. I sipped my mimosa and noticed Rival's attention shift to something or someone behind me. His expression turned dark, which had me tense.

"What’s wrong?" I asked, turning to follow what shifted his mood.

That was when I saw the problem. Julian Parker, a hedge fund manager I'd hooked up with a few times, one of which had him picking me up from my apartment one evening Rival had stayed late enough to cross paths with him. He was making his way through the restaurant with his eyes locked on me. I assumed Rival remembered him until he spoke.

"Don’t you know him?"

"Just an acquaintance.” I really fucking hoped Julian wouldn't make this a thing but no such luck.

"Damn, Sail. What a surprise. I haven’t seen you in a minute."

I plastered on a polite smile. "Yeah, that was intentional?"

His eyes moved over me appreciatively before landing on Rival. "And who's this?"

"My husband, Rival Hassan." The words felt strange. “Rival, this is Julian Parker."

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