Page 56 of Legal

“How’d he get in?”

“Um, he still has a key.” I looked up toward the house. “It was never an issue before, but now I know I need to get it back. Or change the locks.”

I saw that jaw tick again. “Asking for it back seems the most logical.”

“I know.” None of this was Chase’s business, but I felt strange about it anyway.Why should I care what he thinks about another man in my house? I could have a reverse harem if I wanted one.“Look, again, I’m really sorry this happened, but I need to go see what he wants, and I can’t let him drive. It’s also probably not the best thing for you to be there when I talk to him. Please understand?”

I felt bad… to an extent. I’d done my part letting Chase know about my past, basically holding up a neon sign with an arrow pointed down that read:Baggage claimed here.

My eyes skimmed his face, trying to decipher it. I kept telling myself that I shouldn’t care what he thought… yet, I did.

His lips were hard on mine and completely unexpected. Fingers twisting in my hair, drawing me in, taking my breath. I tried to fight the building arousal because I knew it couldn’t lead anywhere. Not tonight. “Chase,” I spoke softly into his mouth when he let me come up for air. That only instigated another kiss, his tongue taunting me, making me hate my ex all the more for showing up and keeping that expert mouth away from the rest of my throbbing body.

He broke free, and I wanted to crumble. I so badly did not want him to leave. It was then that I noticed the living room light out. Did Mike go back to sleep? He better not have. I needed an explanation why he was there, and if it wasn’t a damn good one, I’d string him up by his balls.

Chase touched his forehead to mine and stroked my hair. “Just so you know, Jillian, you may not get jealous, but I do.”

I watched Chase leave, and then I braced myself to go back inside and rip Mike a new one. I stormed up the steps, threw open the door, and immediately switched on the light. He wasn’t sleeping at all. He was sitting up straight.

“Thought you said he’s a friend.”

“He is.” My blood started to boil. “Were you spying on me?”

“Friends don’t kiss like that, Jillian.”

Hewasspying on me, the asshole. That’s why he turned off the light. “Why don’t you just tell me what you’re doing here. And I think it’s time you gave me back that key. You don’t live here anymore, and I can’t have you popping in whenever you feel like it.”

“Little young for you, don’t you think?” I closed my eyes. I did not need this conversation. “What, are you one of those pumas now?”

“God, Mike. It’s cougar. How do you not know that? If you’re going to insult me, at least get it right.”

“It’s not a word I thought I’d ever use, especially not with you.”

I stomped into the kitchen and opened the fridge. If he drank even one of my beers, I’d lose it. All six were still there, but when I eyed my vodka sitting on the counter, he’d definitely tapped into that. I grabbed a bottle and popped it open.

“Once again, why are you here?” I said when I came back into the living room. “You said you’ve been here awhile. Don’t you have patients to see?”

“Not at this hour.”

I snickered. That’s not what he would have said toward the end of our marriage. He had no problem keeping his office open for late appointments then. Fortunately for Candace, Mike was a skilled shoulder surgeon. She’d come in with a torn rotator cuff and left six months later with a shiny new muscle in the form of Mike’s dick.

“Something funny?” he asked.

“Nope.” There was nothing even remotely humorous about any of this. And I had to remind myself there was no evidence that he cheated on me, so I couldn’t be a bitch about it. But I had every right to be one about other things. I plopped on the opposite couch. “Dammit, Mike. You can’t just show up uninvited whenever you want. How’d you feel if I did that to you?”

I was ready to lay into him, but his entire demeanor changed, and he slumped back down. “I know. I won’t do it again, I promise. And you’ll get your key back.”

“Mike, why are you here?” I asked in a softer voice.

He scrubbed his hands over his face. “I think Candace might be screwing around on me.”

I had to bite the insides of my cheeks to keep from laughing. Nowthatwas funny. I took a lengthy swig. Damn, his long face sucked all the joy out of it, though. I wanted to gloat, throw ‘what goes around, comes around’ back at him—even though I had no proof—but I wasn’t cruel.

“Why do you think that?”

“Well, what I should have said is that I’m worried she’s going to.”

I swung my head back, banging it against the wall. “That’s hardly the same thing.”He crashed my orgasmfest for that? Because he’s insecure and paranoid?

---