Page 34 of Runaway Bride for the Boss

“And?” I query, not seeing what the problem is.

“You know what? I don’t think I’m that hungry anymore. We should probably take a rain ch—” But she’s interrupted by the waitress returning.

“Follow me sir, madam.”

We trudge through the throng of diners, Rosie leading us toward the back of the restaurant. A tinkling laugh suddenly hits my ears, and a chill runs down my spine. My head snaps in thedirection of the sound. I immediately spot Ezra, seated facing me, but he’s not what has my attention. It’s the woman across from him.

I don’t realize I’ve stopped walking until Charlie runs into my back. “Ouch. Give a girl a warning, will you?”

But I’m not paying her any mind. I’m stuck staring at the familiar back of my brother’s date. Strawberry blonde curls falling past her shoulders. The woman turns slightly to me as she grins at her companion. She’s wearing a pair of gold-rimmed glasses.Autumn.

She laughs heartily at something Ezra says, like she always does, never holding back and making the recipient feel like the funniest person she’s ever met…on top of the world. Then raises her hand to push her glasses up her nose. A loud roaring starts in my ears, and I see red as I march to their table.

CHAPTER 20

ALEXANDER

“What the hell is this?” My voice is louder than I intend. My body shakes with rage. How dare he?

Ezra glances up in surprise, then his gaze slides behind me. “Charlie?” He looks blindsided, but I don’t give a shit about their history right now.

“A–Alex. What are you doing here?” Autumn stammers, her eyes widening. If that doesn’t sound like an admission of guilt, then I don’t know what would. My jaw is practically cracking, I'm clenching it so tightly.

“Seriously man, what’s up?” Alex has the nerve to chime in.

I’m about to lay it on him when I notice we’re garnering quite a bit of attention from the other diners. Instead, I stare down at Autumn. “We’re leaving. Now.”

“Alex, what are you doing? I’m not done eating. Alex. Alexander!” Her protests fall on deaf ears as I pull her chair out from the table. When I move to pick her up, she smacks my hand away. “Don’t touch me! I’m coming.” The patrons watch our interaction in horror, clearly expecting me to explode. No one talks to me like that and lives. Let alone physically hits me. To my relief, she stands and storms out of the restaurant, my long strides hot on her heels.

We make it to the sidewalk; and for the first time, I realize that she’s wearing a provocatively short dress. The material clings to her curves, and my mouth waters as I take in the expanse of bare, pale skin. A gust of sharp chilly wind blows, and I growl angrily when she shivers.

I take off my jacket and am about to drape it over her shoulders when the firecracker lifts her hand to slap me, Alexander Beaufort. The nerve of this girl. To her surprise, I catch her wrist midair and see her furious gaze, challenging her to keep fighting. Our eyes lock, and I note the rapid rise and fall of her chest. Her lips part, and the air between us thickens. Before we collide mid-sidewalk, either out of anger or lust, I continue my original task and cover her shoulders with my jacket before glancing around for my car.

“Alex, what are you doing? Why are you mad at me?” I ignore her questions as I text George.

“Alexander! What the hell?” I spin around to face Ezra. I rush him, catching his cheekbone with my fist. Caught totally off guard, he staggers backward, cupping his face.

Autumn screams and runs to him. Seeing her dote over him in concern ignites my anger further, and I wrap my arm around her waist to drag her away. George pulls up at that moment, so I carry her to the side of the car.

With my mouth next to her ear and her ass pressed to my groin, I can barely focus. “I had my tongue down your throat a few days ago, and you were all too eager for it. Now you’re on a date with my little brother?” She tries to pull away, but I don’t let her, tightening my arm instead. “Not on my watch.”

“What are you talking about? I can’t even have dinner with my friend because we’ve kissed?”

I rapidly spin her around and press her body against the car. “Your friend?” My lips curl up. “You think Ezra is your friend?He doesn’t want to be yourfriend,Autumn.” I spit out the word like it offends me.

“Let me go, Alex. You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Autumn says breathlessly.

“My brother might be friendly to women but he’s not friends with them. No, he fucks them and discards them.” I press myself harder into her, every plane of our bodies connected.

Autumn gasps, but before I have a chance to accuse her of more, two hands grab my shoulders, ripping me from the heat of Autumn’s supple body. As I’m ready to voice my further annoyance, one hand turns me by the shoulder, and my head snaps to the side from a powerful punch. A throbbing pain starts in my jaw where Ezra’s punch lands. I wiggle it as I turn to face him.

“Enough! Enough!” Autumn shouts, stepping between us. “That's quite enough, Alexander.”

I pause as she glares at me. For some reason, I feel chastened so I glare back. I’m not the one in the wrong here! George starts to get out of the car, surely dreading having to back me up against my brother, but I hold up a hand to stop his advance. I snap open the back door.

“Get in,” I order. Autumn doesn’t move, and I take a threatening step toward her. “Don’t test me, Autumn. I’ll bundle you in that car myself if you don’t get in right this moment.”

She narrows her eyes at me and marches forward, but Ezra holds her back. An angry rumble escapes my throat.

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