Page 90 of Ache for You (Slow Burn 3)
TWENTY-FIVE
MATTEO
She has her arms around him.
They’re hugging.
He’s touching her.
My stomach knots. A wave of heat engulfs my body. The room narrows until all I can see is her hands on his back and her beautiful green eyes gazing at me from over his shoulder. Those eyes widen when she spots me, then narrow.
She’s not happy to see me. She’s in his arms, and she’s not happy to see me.
I’m going to break something. Probably his legs.
Kimber pulls away from her ex. It looks reluctant. He glances over his shoulder and does a double take.
His expression is more complicated than hers. He’s surprised to see me, too, and afraid, that’s obvious. But there’s something else I don’t understand. Something like . . . excitement?
Maybe he wants to fight me. If that’s the case, I’m going to mop the floor with this preppy pezzo di merda.
“What’re you doing here?” Kimber’s tone is as unfriendly as the look in her eyes.
“I was on my way to work.” That’s as much of an explanation as I can give before the snarl starts creeping into my voice, and I have to stop.
Brad moves to stand beside Kimber, nervously wiping his palms on the front of his jeans. He stares at me with a wild look in his eyes, as if he’s not sure if he’s going to bolt or start throwing punches.
I scowl, looking back and forth between them. What is this? Are they getting back together?
The thought makes it hard to breathe.
Kimber tilts her head, studying my expression. “So continue on your way.”
Beside her, Brad fidgets like a child waiting impatiently for a piece of candy.
Gazing steadily at him, I say, “You don’t need to me stay?”
At the exact same time, she says “No,” and Brad says, “Yes.”
With emphasis.
“I wasn’t asking you!”
With a sharp intake of breath, he puts his hand to his throat. Kimber looks at Brad’s face and snorts like she thinks something’s funny.
The last of my patience unravels. I snarl, “What the fuck is going on?”
Wide-eyed, Brad breathes, “So intense.”
He’s mocking me. This son of a bitch is mocking me.
I take a step forward, ready to knock
him out, but Kimber rolls her eyes and throws her hands in the air. “Cool your jets, Count, he was just leaving!” She gives Brad a little shove. “I’ll talk to you later. Go back to your hotel.”
By this time I’m vibrating with anger. I don’t know what’s happening, but I don’t like it one bit. She wanted to kill him when she saw him after the funeral. Now they’re sharing hugs?
“Matteo.”
