Page 40 of Wild Hearts

Mick grabs my phone from the holder and opens the text.

“It says, ‘January. You and me. You got the job, sweetheart! Can’t wait to spend a week with you. I’ve missed your fine ass. I’ll pick up your favorite bottle of wine and we will have ourselves a damn good time,’” Mick chokes out, gripping my phone hard. Very gently, he slides it back into its holder.

“Oh fuck. You’re still doing business with that guy?” Josh questions from the back.

“Not. Now,” Mick says calmly, flexing his fists.

I pull into the airport and put the Jeep in park.

“I’m just going to go,” Josh says from the back. “See you later, sis.” He leans forward, squeezing my shoulder.

“Call me.” I smile back weakly.

Josh jumps out, taking both their bags with him, and walks toward Grant.

“Who is Steven McQueen?” Mick asks calmly, holding back his anger.

I turn in my seat, facing him. “He’s a client.”

“Yeah? Has he ever been more? Because it sure sounds like it,” he says, heated.

“Mick, jealousy doesn’t look good on you. I only want you.” I lay my hand on his.

“Answer the question, Shane. Have you ever been with him?”

“No, I haven’t, but honestly that shouldn’t matter. If I tell you I only want you, I mean it.” I cross my arms.

“Don’t get me wrong, Shane, I trust you. I know you only want me, but seeing shit like that? Right before I’m about to leave?” He points to my phone. “Doesn’t sit right with me.”

“It’s my job,” I grind out.

“Yeah, well, my job has me away from those I love more often than not. You may say there’s nothing, but nothing can turn into something.”

“Get out,” I demand, pushing his shoulder.

“No.”

“No? you basically just accused me of being a whore,” I yell out.

“I didn’t say you were. I was trying to tell you what it could look like if you were me. How would you feel if you saw another woman text me something like that, huh?”

“I’d fucking kill the bitch and then you.” I push him again.

“Exactly, so let me be fucking pissed!” he snaps.

We both stare forward, trying to get our breathing under control.

“You’re going to be late,” I tell him.

Mick leans over. “Kiss me.”

“Can’t believe I’m going to say this, but I think I’ll pass. I kind of don’t like you right now.”

“Yeah, well, consider this a ceasefire. I love you too much to walk away without kissing you, no matter how mad I am. You never know what will happen once I walk away.”

“Fuck you for being logical.” I grab the back of his head and pull him in for a hard, angry kiss. “I love you too, even though I want to punch you in the face right now.”

“I love you.” Mick gets out of the Jeep and starts to shut the door, but stops. “Shane?”

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