Page 33 of Mine Forever
“Nope.”
She lifts her chin. “Why not?”
The defiance in her tone pisses me off, as though I owe her an explanation.
The fact that it pisses me off just shows I give a fuck about what she thinks.
And I really don’t want to care.
Parking the truck under the covered part of the driveway, I shove out, slamming the door behind me.
She comes around the truck, ready to talk while I yank groceries out of the back seat.
But I’m done.
Before she can say a word, I round on her, dropping the bags to the ground, barely able to rein in my temper.
“You know why I’m not going to answer you, Eden? Because it’s none of your fucking business. You don’t get to know how I spend my time or who I spend it with. You made that crystal clear the last time I saw you.”
With her hands on her hips, she stares into my eyes and her jaw tightens. The wind blows the strands of hair that escaped her ball cap into her face. “I…” She swallows and tries again. “I’m jealous.”
“Jealous? Of what?”
“The woman from the Red Parrot.”
My brow furrows. “How do you even know about her?”
She looks at the ground, kicking at it. “Charley and Odette may have mentioned it to me.”
I rub my hands over my face.
“Why are those fucking women being a pain in my ass?”
“And here I thought I was the only woman who’s a pain in your ass.”
I step toward her and she retreats, her back hitting the side of the truck. I cage her in and lean close.
With the wind kicking up around us, her scent surroundsme like a cocoon. Her eyes soften, desire bright in them. Lips parted, her tongue flicks across her full bottom lip.
That small motion is enough to scramble my circuits.
I want to strip her out of the snug tank top and little denim shorts that are driving me crazy and fuck her against the side of my truck.
There’s something about Eden, always has been, that makes me want to possess and protect. I’ve always thought of her as mine, ever since the first time I saw her.
Part of the guilt I carry regarding my late wife stems from the way I’ve always felt about Eden.
I never cheated on Heather physically, but mentally, I’d been somewhere else the whole time.
But no matter how badly I want Eden, she’s no longer mine to take. I’m not that kind of guy.
And even though I have to keep her at arm’s length, I want to drive her a little crazy as well.
Let her see how it feels.
“You’re not only a pain in my ass, you make me crazy. You’re not just beautiful, you’re my every fantasy come true. It’s all I can do to keep my hands off you when you’re so damn close.”
Moving in closer, I lower my voice. “And there’s no need to be jealous of another woman. Rest assured, Eden. You’re the only one that plagues me.”
