Page 22 of Her Filthy Grump

“Thanks.” The word is thick in my throat.

Fuck. Sweet girl?God, I fucking hate that shit. The words are like someone stomping on my heart and smashing it into the dirt. I lift my drink and turn away from him. Then, I yank the straw out and guzzle the remaining liquid. It stings my throat as it goes down.

After I return the glass to the counter, my eyes narrow. How did I get three drinks? And how’re they all gone?

“Hey?” His face is filled with concern as he studies me. “Did I say something wrong?”

“I hate being called a sweet girl, cupcake, or anything else which makes me sound like a sap. And I’m fed up with my dad interfering in my relationships.” I swivel the stool. Relationships? What a joke. But I’m not about to tell him that. I don’t need another reason for him to feel sorry for me. “Why can’t I be sexy and make guys want to ravish me?” I place my hand on his thigh and hop down from the barstool. The muscles under my fingers tense.

“I –”

“You don’t have to answer that. I know. Layla’s sweet. She takes care of everyone. She’s irresponsible and flighty. She’s never the woman who leaves a guy breathless and unable to think straight.”

Kameron stares like I’ve lost my mind. Maybe I have. I’m tired of being little Miss Sunshine. I want to have a good time.

Someone bumps into my back, and I land in Kameron’s lap. My mouth is inches from his, and his hands grasp my waist to hold me up. His eyes fill with heat, and he leans down as if he’s going to kiss me.

My entire body floods with warmth as my heart thunders in my chest. What would be wrong with taking a ride on Kameron? He’ll be gone in a few months. People have meaningless hook-ups all the time. Why can’t I?

He’s nicer than I thought. He’s smart. He’s sexy as fuck. I’m sure he knows what to do with a lady.He’s perfect.

His mouth settles close to my ear. “Layla, you’re too good for me. I would suck you down into the darkness. Don’t hate the light you bring to the world. It’s a rare and beautiful thing.” He pushes me back, stands, and walks away without a backward glance.

Tears fill my eyes until I can’t see the people in front of me.Do not cry. Not here.I blink furiously.Get to the bathroom, now.George steps in front of me.

“What did that asshole say to you?”

“Nothing.” I wrap my arms around my chest and scan the room for Harbor.Damn her.Of course, she’d leave me high and dry.

George waves to the bartender. “I’ll buy you another.”

I don’t need another, but I’m too tipsy to drive, Harbor’s nowhere to be found, and it sure beats the hell out of dancing with him. “Fine.”

He bristles, and the muscles in his neck bulge. “You don’t have to act so excited about it.”

“I’m sorry. I have a lot on my mind.” The last thing I want to do is piss George off and cause a scene.

“Sit down.” He places his hand on my back and helps me onto the stool. “You lied earlier, didn’t you? You don’t have a sexually transmitted disease, do you?”

“No.”

“I figured as much. I should take you over my lap and discipline you.” He leans closer. “You’re a naughty girl.”

Oh, I’m going to hurl.Does he think he sounds sexy? If Kameron said it, my entire body would go up in flames. When George says it, I need to scrub the grossness off.

“That’s a cute trick to keep the boys away, but it doesn’t work on us men. And you need a real man in your life. One who can teach you all the tricks in the bedroom.”

My head spins. Someone pinch me and wake me up from this nightmare.

“Uh….” I groan inwardly and move to the opposite edge of the seat. Why is it that the only guy I’m interested in thinks I’m a little girl and won’t sleep with me? And this pervert wants to sleep with me because he thinks I am a little girl. Karma is laughing her ass off today.

“Who was that guy?” George jerks his head backward in the direction Kameron went. By now, he’s probably left the bar and on his way home.

“Kameron Willoughby. He’s new here in town. He’s staying at Roman Clarke’s house for the fall.”

The bartender brings us new drinks, and I stare at mine. God, I should go home and crawl into bed.All my bravado has disappeared, leaving me as weak as a ragdoll.

“Are you dating him?” George’s hands ball into fists.

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