Page 40 of Hate You Forever (Hate 1)

“Yes sir,” Lya replies, and Zep instinctively takes a protective step forward.

As if she needs him; she’s a badass.

Randall’s mouth turns down in disgust, his eyes landing on me. “Are you playing some kind of game here?”

I open my mouth to tell him off but Marnix suddenly cuts in. “Tara.” He moves into my side, handing me a glass of wine before wrapping an arm around my waist, holding a whiskey in the other hand. “You okay?” he asks, his eyes cutting between me and Randall. I must look like I’m about to fucking pounce on Randall because Marnix’s fingers tighten on my hip.

“If you’ll excuse us, Randall, I have some people I want to introduce my fiancée to.” From Marnix’s tone and the way he’s acting—like he’s standing guard in front of me—I’d say I’m right about Randall being someone who’d want to poke holes in our relationship. It’s clear Marnix hates him as much as I already do.

Randall glares at Marnix. “Of course.” He runs his eyes up and down my body as he walks away, sending chills down my spine.

“Tara, this is my best friend Reilly,” Marnix announces, turning and gesturing toward a man who appears to be busy flirting with some gorgeous blonde chick.

Marnix lets out a low, irritated growl only I can hear. I’m getting used to that sound, and if I’m being honest, it’s kind of sexy. It’s so deep and raspy that I want to climb his— What the fuck, Tara? Get it together.

He grabs the man’s arm, spinning him toward us. When his sharp features and steel gray eyes come into view, my heart races, and I stop breathing.

Oh no.

Fuck.

This can’t be right.

No no no.

Shit.

The man Marnix is introducing me to isn’t some random dude named Reilly, it’s fucking Cohutta—the hot blond stranger I picked up at Gypsy’s, then stupidly called again.

This isn’t good.

I know what my husband’s best friend looks like naked, that his nipples are pierced, that he’s got a massive dick, and he’s just as freaky as me in the bedroom.

“Reilly, this is Tara, my wonderful fiancée I’ve been telling you about.”

He told me his name is Cohutta. Was he lying to me?

Whatever the man’s name is, he gives me a panty-melting smile. My muscles go lax, and my glass of wine slips from my hand, falling to the ground. I barely register the shattering of the crystal on the floor—my full attention is on the familiar steel eyes staring back at me in shock.

My mind is fuzzy, my pulse echoing in my head. I thought I’d never see him again. I didn’t want to see him again, and now I’ll have to see him for a year. This is not fucking good.

Shit. Why does he have to live right out back? I can’t even blissfully ignore him now.

Does Marnix know that I fucked his best friend? Judging by the way Cohutta looks like he’s about to shit his pants right now, I’m going to go with no.

My mind finally catches up to reality and I bend down, profusely apologizing while I try to pick up the glass. It’s an easy way to avoid all the eyes I’m sure are staring at me right now for causing a scene.

A hand grabs my shoulder, quickly pulling me to my feet, causing a shard to nick my finger.

“Tara, we have people to do that. My wife will not be seen cleaning.”

I ignore Marnix’s pompous comment, knowing it will only make matters worse if I call him out for it right now. I tuck my cut finger into my hand so he can’t see. “Where’s the restroom?”

Marnix points down a hall to our right. “First door to your left.” He leans in to kiss me, but I quickly swerve it and rush off to the bathroom. I’ll definitely pay for that one later, but if I don’t get out of here now, I might be sick in front of everyone. Between my finger spilling blood and a man I’ve slept with twice staring me down, it’s too much.

I hear Lya call after me, but I can’t stop. I need to get out of here and get some air.

I push the bathroom door, relieved that it’s empty, closing it behind me. Leaning my palms against the granite vanity, I hang my head against my chest as I heave uncontrollably.

I can do this.

I can do this.

Cohutta’s beautiful eyes pop into my head. Followed by his tattooed body, pierced nipples and raspy voice. The voice that I found myself falling captive to. The voice of a man I was afraid to keep seeing because he had enough charm to pull me under his spell, which I’d gladly let control me forever.

I don’t know if I can do this.

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