Page 37 of Miss Understood

“But?” Kennedy prods.

“But this is business. We might be playing this out for work reasons, but he’s still my boss. So if we’re going to get out of this thing unscathed, I need to stay frustratingly unfucked.”

Sex with Jesse wouldn’t be the distraction I’m used to sex being. It would bemore, meanmore.

“I get naked for orgasms, not feelings,” I say.

Kennedy throws her head back in a laugh. “God, I miss your foul mouth when you work so much.”

“I’ve missed you girls too,” I say, squeezing her hand. “How are things with you both? Is Mon good?”

“More than.” Kennedy smiles. “She’s in LA with Carson, getting the last of his things for the final move. Then she can finally plan her dream wedding. Although I think both of us are still in shock that you, Ms. Lifelong Bachelorette, are somehow the first one of us to walk down the aisle.”

“You and me both.” I chuckle. “I blame Elvis.”

“Ladies.” Jesse catches us both off guard as he walks into the apartment dripping sweat. He’s fresh off a run, in a white T-shirt that hugs every muscle in his masterpiece of a chest. His shorts just tight enough for his bulge to catch my attention.

Either the temperature in the room just went up twenty degrees, or I’m imagining things.

“If it isn’t your beloved hubby.” Kennedy chuckles, standing up and giving me a devious wink.

Jesse pulls up the bottom of his T-shirt to wipe the sweat off his face, giving the whole room a peek at the slabs of abs that run the length of his stomach.

Damn.

When we were setting the rules, I really should have put those rock-hard muscles on lockdown. Because, whether I like it or not, there is no pretending this sinfully sexy man has no effect on me physically.

“On that note,” Kennedy says, turning toward me and fanning her face with a smile. “We’re going to head out. But let me know if you need anything.”

“Thank you,” I tell her before waving at Zac and Mark, who have returned for her. “And guys, I appreciate the man muscle.”

“Anytime.” Zac shoots me that billion-dollar smile and plants his hand on Jesse’s shoulder. “Treat our girl good, man.”

Zac and I haven’t spent much time together, and I get the feeling he doesn’t understand my sometimes-abrasive personality, but those words to Jesse sound like a bit of a threat.

“Of course,” Jesse says as they share a nod of understanding.

Kennedy slips her arms around Zac and melts against him, no doubt ready to reward him for his protective display.

When the door closes behind them, it’s quiet, and it finally hits me.

It’s just me and Jesse.

Alone in his apartment.

Ourapartment, for the time being.

He props himself against the wall and takes a long drink of his water. A bead of sweat runs down his thick neck, and I have to remind myself that we set rules for a reason—even if those reasons now seem as thin as the fabric of the gym shorts that currently separate me from his glorious dick.

“I wish I’d known you were moving your things in this afternoon,” Jesse says, setting his water bottle down on the counter.

Mateo had passed along the key, and Jesse wasn’t here when I arrived. I was secretly relieved that I was able to take everything in without feeling like he was watching me for a reaction. But now, I’m thinking I should have waited for him to be home.

“Sorry, I thought I mentioned it was happening today. You said anytime.” My defenses start flying up. I shouldn’t have to explain myself. Husband or not, the last thing I need is a man dictating what I do and when.

Jesse comes closer, and I’m on the edge of telling him this is a big mistake and he can go stick it where the sun don’t shine, but he cuts off my thoughts.

“I just meant I would have helped,” he says, angling his head toward a box in the hallway. “It’s your place as much as it is mine now; I wasn’t saying you aren’t welcome.”

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