Page 64 of Whatever You Need

“Actually, Tamara.” He took a generous sip of the amber liquid and twirled the glass around in his hands. “My parents are expecting the West family to celebrate Christmas Eve with us. Mother would like to meet with you to discuss the wedding preparations. She also requested that you both attend mass with us and dinner afterward.”

The shrimp I was holding paused halfway to my mouth. One, Owen probably hasn’t stepped foot inside a church since the day he was baptized. And two, I already had plans.

“No can do. I’m spending Christmas Eve with Ava and her family.” It was our tradition and something I looked forward to every year.

“I’m sorry for your predicament, but my mother is expecting you. Maybe you can stop by Ava’s a little earlier in the day.”

What in the ever-loving hell? Who does he think he is? My eyes must have spoken my thoughts because my mother set her fork down and drained the rest of her wine.

“Listen, Owen.” I was just about to lay into him when a perky blonde, dressed in a short black leather skirt and a deep V-neck sweater appeared at our table.

“Owen, I thought that was you.”

“Hey, Stella.”

She flipped her long hair over shoulder. It’s Stacey,” she corrected him, but he didn’t seem to care.

“Right.” He leaned forward, and I watched his eyes do a predatory crawl up and down her body. “How could I forget?”

“Anyway,” Stacey continued. “I just wanted to stop over and say hi.” She looked between us and shifted on her feet. “And to let you know that I’m working this weekend. If you get a chance to stop by the club, make sure you ask for me.” She handed him a card and I couldn’t help but notice the stripper pole and silhouette logo.

“You got it.” He winked, and I watched a deep blush creep up on her cheeks. Funny how some women could be so affected by so little interest. I reached across the table for my water, wishing I had something stronger to drink. “It was great seeing you.” He turned around in his chair and immediately dismissed her.

My mother’s phone rang in her purse, and she pulled it out of her bag. “I have to take this. I’ll be right back.” She pushed away from the table, leaving me and Owen alone.

He shifted closer to me. “Alone at last. Now, back to tomorrow.”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t make it. You’ll have to give your mother my apologies.”

He ran a hand through his hair, looking exasperated. “Why are you always so difficult?”

I glared at him. “I have been spending Christmas Eve with my best friend and her family for years. You expect me to just cancel on her when you’ve only given me twenty-four-hours’ notice?”

He leaned forward; he was close enough for me to smell the alcohol on his breath. “This time next year you will be my wife and we will go to bed on Christmas Eve and wake up on Christmas Day together. Doesn’t that sound wonderful?”

“It’s a good thing I’m not your wife yet.” I smirked.

His jaw tightened and the look in his eyes had unease crawling up my back. “I can’t wait to fuck that smirk off your face. If you’re trying to turn me off, sweetheart, take a good look down at my dick that’s saluting you right now. It gets harder every time you speak. So, please, keep the shots coming because pretty soon you’re going to hear what I sound like when I do.”

“You’re a pig.”

He laughed and stood up. “Oh, Amelia. We are going to have so much fun together.”

I watched his retreating back as he walked out of the restaurant. I don’t know what prompted me to antagonize him, but what I did know was that I had reached my limit with Owen Eastan.

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