Page 98 of The Proposal Pact
“What it’s supposed to.”
“I thought you didn’t want to get rings.”
“I still don’t.”
“Then why get this one?”
“For the motherfuckers,” I answer dryly, and catch Sophie rolling her amused lips to hide a smile. “You’ll wear it all the time.”
It isn’t a question, but I can’t explain the relief I feel at her small nod and even a bigger one when she changes the subject and says, “A game’s about to start. I know you’re all busy, but wanna watch with me? I got chips and guac. Store bought, so don’t worry, you won’t get poisoned.”
My lips twitch with a faint smile. “Well, if it’s store bought. Sure.”
She rolls her eyes and mutters, “Asshole,” all while wearing a smile.
“Well, this game sucked big time.” Sophie falls back on the couch, huffing. I’m surprised she can talk with the amount of yelling she did. I’m also surprised her favorite Outlaws didn’t hear all her game tips withhowloud she was yelling. “You should’ve seen the one on Wednesday. It was amazing! Outlaws won five to nothing. What the hell was going on with Sava, their goalie, tonight? I have no idea.”
“Wait, you watched a game without me?” I sit up, feeling irrationally disappointed about that.
“Well, I didn’t see you home, did I?” She quirks an eyebrow at me, and shit, I got nothing to say to that because I was, indeed, avoiding her.
I needed to avoid her and her infectious personality, her teasing smile, her sharp wit, her mint scent, her sweet lips, her…anddd I need to go back to avoiding this woman. I don’t know what is it about Sophie that makes me burn but it’s not something I can allow.
It’s not like I like her or anything. I just don’t need things to get complicated or confusing for her sake because I’m not the one she needs.
Sophie gets up from the couch without waiting for my response, drops the empty bowl from chips at the sink, and looks at the clock.
“Okay, I need to go change,” she says, more to herself than me.
It’s not that late yet, but maybe she goes to sleep earlier on normal days. I wouldn’t know now, would I?
Absentmindedly, I start scrolling through channels and then freeze, eyeing the closed bedroom door. Sophie’s been there for a while now, so she must really be getting ready for bed and… Hell, ifshe comes out in one of her huge T-shirts she sleeps in right now…and then what? There’s a reason I come home late at night when I’m sure she’s no longer awake.
Suddenly, feeling as nervous as a sixteen-year-old boy who’s around the girl for the first time, I freak out because no, I can’t be here for that.
I chose Sophie for this because I thought she’d be the safe bet. But there’s nothing safe about the woman. She’s like a still water that makes you believe there’s no danger underneath and then the Loch Ness monster drags you under with no hope for escape. Hell, I’m not sure I’d even fight all that hard.
Jumping off the couch, I slip my shoes on, pull the jacket I forgot earlier on and try to convince myself that I’m not a chicken-shit.
Another peek at the door.Nope, fuck it, I’m totally a chicken-shit when it comes to that five-foot-nothing little menace.
“I’m heading back to work,” I shout, rubbing the back of my neck, watching that closed bedroom door for a beat too long. Am I hoping she does come out or not?
Fucking hell.I squeeze my neck. I’m losing it.
There’s no answer from her so, deciding she most likely heard me and doesn't care, I turn, my hand already on the handle to open it, when the door behind me squeaks open.It’s just a T-shirt, man, keep it together and turn the fuck around.
It is not just a fucking T-shirt…
My fake wife from my personal hell is striding up to me in one of the black lace bodysuits I got for her at Grace’s boutique. The one that sticks to her like second skin and makes her tits pop up like they are on fucking Fourthof July parade, which she paired with an even shorter and red leather skirt.
If you think that’s all, wait a fucking minute.
There are fishnet stockings on her legs and her favorite old Converse.
Her hair parted off to the side. Those sweet lips of hers are bloody red and glistening like she just spent the whole evening with them wrapped around my cock. Exactly like I’m imagining them right now. And she’s putting large hoop-ring earrings through her ears.
“Have a good night at work,” she says sweetly.
