Page 4 of Unruly Defender
I’m not judging them, or the fact Henley is a convict.To each his own.Every person has their own value in life and reasoning for being either a dick or a nice person.Though, I have to say, in my experience there’s nothing more annoying than a guy removing invisible specs from his own clothes in the window while he’s hitting on you.
Jeez, talk about unattractive and making less effort because they think their wallet is the way into your panties.I bet a man like Henley couldn’t care less about the cash in his pants or have the need to stroke his own ego through his reflection.He looks like a guy who owns—and calculates—every move he makes.It doesn’t matter.A man is still a man and the end goal stays the same; getting into a girl’s panties.
Sure, there were exceptions in my past.Those guys didn’t really want to get into my panties, they used me as a steppingstone into my wallet.Well, my family’s wallet.Exactly what Henley threw in my face the second he heard my last name.
That’s why I have lots of experience recognizing different types of guys.Mostly because my father used to push potential future son-in-laws—he deemed worthy—in my direction.Those were the ones I quickly classified as slicks.But those weren’t the only ones he would surprise me with.
Let’s just say my father functions differently and that’s the reason I walked away from him and his lifestyle.To make a long story short, the final straw and the reason I left was because he arranged nightly entertainment for me—otherwise known as a quick fuck—the day of my mother’s funeral.
You know, to get over the fact my mother committed suicide because my father was a cheating asshole husband who loved to wave his money, and his dick, around to get as much attention as he could get.I guess this says a lot about my point of view of men and my screwed-up past.And it didn’t matter if my parents had split up a few months prior to her death either, my father was a first-class asshole, there’s no other way around it.
The best thing I did was leave everything behind and just walk away.I ended up sitting on the beach where Maggie, Henley’s mother, found me.I was in tears and spilled every detail of my past up to the point where my father wanted me to screw the night away to get over the fact I just buried my mother.All while she sat beside me listening as Finn was humping Maggie’s hat that had blown off her head.
The corner of my mouth twitches and I glance down to see Finn sitting right next to his stuffed pig.He’s panting like crazy, his tongue lolling out due to the special attention he just gave his pig.
“Any energy left in that little body of yours?”I chuckle and squat down to pet his soft head.“Or do you want to get out of here and hit the beach before we curl onto the couch?”
Finn is the only man I need in my life.Henley might think it’s his dog but he’s not getting him back.No one takes my dog, even if it used to be his.Shit.He must feel the same way.After taking care of him for almost nine months now we’ve grown used to our routine.Maybe I’ll get Henley a gift certificate to a shelter so he can adopt a dog.Though, I bet he won’t settle, because I won’t either.I glance at my watch and see it’s time to wrap up here.
I scoop Finn up and grab my purse from underneath the desk before I lock up and head out to the bungalow I share with Maggie.There are a few on this estate and when she took me in, Maggie offered me a bungalow for myself or I could have her spare bedroom.Seeing I just lost my mother and left my father, I didn’t want to be alone.The spare bedroom was my choice and the reason Finn and I became a team.
The moment I stroll inside the bungalow is when I realize I forgot the fact Maggie invited her son over.There’s no escape when he’s standing in the living room and spins around to lock eyes with me.His narrow and in return, I narrow mine too.Then I become aware I’m the one intruding and even if he was rude to me earlier, I can be the bigger person.
I briefly close my eyes and take a deep breath before plastering a smile on my face and telling him, “Don’t mind me, I’m going to change real quick and then take Finn for a stroll.”
I don’t wait for a reply because clearly, I couldn’t care less what he thinks, I was being polite for my own, and for his mother’s, sake.Dashing through the hall I turn left and set Finn down when I’m inside my room.He runs off to his blanket where another stuffed animal sits.This dog never gets tired of his humping game.
Sliding the zipper down of my tweed pencil skirt, I shimmy out of it and throw it on the bed.My shirt is off next and I balance on one foot to slip out of my high heel and then take off the other one.Bending down, I place them on the floor and straighten as I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror.Noticing instantly Henley is standing in the doorway getting an eyeful of my body wrapped in sexy lingerie.
“What the hell?”I gasp and quickly snatch—and slide on—the fluffy robe I have hanging next to the bathroom door.
“Don’t cover yourself up on my account.I mean, you’re dressed to impress anyone with a sane mind for beauty.Man, just look at those curves wrapped in lace.Shit.”He rubs a hand over his face.“Never mind.I didn’t follow you here to get an eyeful, just give me my dog and I’ll leave you to it.”
He glances around and when he notices Finn, he shakes his head before his attention slides back to me.“What’s with the harem of farm animals?”
“It’s to feed his addiction, okay?”I grumble, tucking the robe closer as if it will help him un-see the goods I flashed him with earlier.“I could give him a pillow for all he cares but I had a nice deal buying secondhand stuffed animals.Finn likes to rip them apart sometimes too so it’s easier to throw them out and give him a new one.Now, do you mind?I’d like to change before I take Finn for a walk.”
Henley nods and is about to turn, but he points a finger at me.“No husband, no boyfriends, and from what I’ve heard, no dick action.So, why the garters and sexy shit when no one is giving you the right attention?”
This little sneer he throws at me pushes the wrong buttons in my head.“It’s for me.For myself.I’m the one seeing and enjoying it.Why the hell would a woman only have a guy as a reason to wear nice lingerie?”I snap.
His head tips to the side and a sly smile slides across his face.Shit.It’s not hard to guess his train of thoughts.
“Stop with overthinking, Henley.It’s not like that, you oversexed weirdo.I’m worth nice lace and things that make me feel good about myself.Even if no one knows or notices and it’s covered up by normal clothing.I could wear granny panties and a sports bra but those wouldn’t make me feel pretty or good about myself.Not that I don’t wear those too, because I do.I use them if I have my period.See?Mood.My mood.Not to get myself off because of some fetish or nympho...oh, why am I even discussing this with you?Get out of my room.”
He holds his hands out, palms up.“No judgement, little temptress.None whatsoever.I was just curious because with me just being released from prison and all, I might have missed out on a new trend.Good to know you’re—” He lets his eyes slide over my body and I need to fist my hands to prevent from letting a shiver rock my body due to a hint of this man’s attention as he licks his bottom lip before he finishes his sentence with, “Your own brand of special.”
Your own brand of special.Is that an incognito way of calling me a weirdo?Why does this guy make anger flare inside me at every turn?
“Out,” I snap, making Finn jump up and start to bark at Henley.
Henley looks crushed for a moment and weariness slides into his eyes before he gives a tight nod and spins around to stalk away.I close the door and lean against it with my forehead.What a freaking mess.And way to impress the son of the woman I consider my second mother.
It’s a good thing my bedroom has a large sliding door, leading to the patio where I can walk right onto the beach.I quickly change into a bathing suit and some shorts and head out, leaving everything behind me to enjoy some quality beach time, even if it’s getting late and the beach is deserted.I like it this way, and so does Finn.
It’s over an hour later when I stroll back to the bungalow and see Maggie sitting on the patio.Finn rushes over and crashes in front of her feet, tired from our evening stroll.Henley is nowhere in sight and this is actually how normal evenings go between me and Maggie; enjoying some careless free minutes just sitting here and watching the sea rock the beach.
“He’s good.Deep down he’s a good man.He just doesn’t trust people easily, and I don’t blame him after what happened, but he should have been nicer to you,” Maggie suddenly says as she’s staring into the distance.
