Page 9 of Til Divorce Do Us Start

“And you’re the source of that scorn. Seems fitting that you get my anger instead of silence. By the way, I like working to music,” she says before turning around and sashaying away.

The way her ass sways back and forth, how she makes sure to stomp in her sneakers, all of it should piss me off. Instead my anger warps into the need to make her obey and remind her, in ways she wouldn’t forget, thatIset the rules here.

When I take a step forward to give her a stern talking to, she bends over. I stare at her ass, perfect and pert. Her legs spread slightly, the slight arch in her back. It would be so easy. I practically see myself walking across the room, grabbing her hips, pulling her against me. She’d stand up, all fire and attitude, trying to wrestle back control. And I’d kiss her—hard. And whenshe bites, because of course she will, I’ll remind her just how long that night really was.

And how much we both still remember.

She’d remembereverything—every breathless moan against my lips, every desperate plea for more. The way she gave in, completely lost in her own pleasure… and in me. One look, six steps, one firm grip, one kiss—and it would all come rushing back.

But then she picks up a box and disappears into the guest room, leaving me alone with the heat crawling under my skin.

I force a breath, but it’s useless. My cock’s already half hard just fromthinkingabout having her under me again—writhing, gasping, begging. I want to shut her up with my mouth, make her swallow every sharp, ridiculous comment, remind hershewas the one who pulled me back in for round two that night.

And that’s exactly why I hate her even more.

Chapter 5 - Noelle

It’s been three days. Three long, passive-aggressive days.

When I get back from work, I make sure to beloudin the kitchen—especially since Colin apparently doesn’t believe in doing dishes. There’s no room left for mine, so guess who’s been stuck scrubbinghiscoffee mugs and protein shake blender?

And let’s not forget this morning. Hestolethe bathroom. As if he even leaves the house.

I slam the utensil drawer shut, letting the clatter echo through the apartment like a warning shot. Then I start singing—off-key and intentionally obnoxious. It always irritates him, which feels only fair, considering I had to show up to work with wet hair and do my eyeliner in the car like a lunatic on a time crunch.

If I’m suffering, he should too.

The sudden shiver down my spine followed by the near threatening heat of Colin’s gaze says I have his attention. I raise my voice until I feel him in my bubble. I turn and he braces one hand on the counter next to me. He’s so close I can almost feel him panting.

“We’ve talked about this.”

“Says the man who took the bathroom for an hour! Anhour, Colin! One bathroom that you don’t need when you don’t go anywhere for work!” I say sharply.

Which starts another round of arguments. The more flushed his face gets, the more I want to pick at him. I want to get him to the point where he doesn’t have an answer, when he’s quiet and can only stare at me with something between fury and something I don’t want to name.

But the closer he gets, the more I’m swamped in his cologne, the more it threatens to ruin me.

“You’re already taller, but now you need to get closer to prove your point?” I demand, cutting him off.

“You’re in my house and you feel the need to be a bigger pain in the ass,” he snarls.

“You invited me in!”

“You were evicted. Maybe your neighbors were tired of you too!”

“I’m a fucking delight!” I bite back. “You want to compare friends? You want to compare-”

“If you’re so delightful, why am I your only option?” He asks as he stands, crossing his muscled arms over his chest.

Arms shouldn’t look this attractive. Tanned, toned, so thick and ...

“Nothing to say to that,wife?”

I want to bite him. Not a playful bite either. “You’re my only option because I can’t leave the state without upsetting a judge. Because being more than an hour away from you would make it pretty unconvincing that we’re trying to make this work.”

“Because you signed the wrong line,” he retorts.

“So did you! Like you want to remind me that-” I shut my mouth.

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