Page 24 of Come Here and Kiss Me

My parents never showed much love for each other, and my father always worked. From an early age, I promised myself I’d never be in a loveless marriage, but here I am, playing the part of his fiancée as if this is my very own version of a fucked-upPretty Woman.

I want to ask him where he went last night because I looked for him. This place isn’t that large, and I didn’t see him anywhere before I climbed back into bed. I desperately want to know where he went and if he was with someone.

Out of nowhere, he interrupts my reckless thoughts, stating, “We should throw an engagement party, and by we, I mean you.”As I stare back at him, he tends to his eggs Benedict. His black coffee sends a gust of steam into the air, and I realize he’s serious.

“How lovely. I’ve always wanted to have no input from my future husband. If we’re going to have an engagement party, then I’ll need to redecorate.”

“What am I missing? I don’t have enough pink pillows and throw blankets for you?”

“As a matter of fact, you don’t have any pillows or throw blankets, so yes. It needs to look like I live here too, and right now, it only screams a place where you bring women to fuck.”

My fork scrapes against the plate as I scoop up a bit of hollandaise and eggs. Perfectly cooked.

“Rest assured, my little whore, I’ve never brought a woman here before.”

Shocked, I jerk back. “You’re lying.”

“What need do I have to lie to you?”

I take a sip of my coffee, and as I’m setting it back down on the table, I respond, “Then where do you fuck them?”

“The same place I fucked you.”

I’m hurt.

Deeply.

Profoundly.

Undeniably hurt by his reply.

I don’t know why, though. It’s honestly silly and stupid. Of course, I’m not the first woman he’s fucked on his bar.

I must have made a face since he asks, “That upsets you?”

I quickly recover, returning to the woman who hides it all. Especially her feelings.

“Don’t flatter yourself, Professor Wolf.”I go back to my breakfast although I have no appetite at all now.

“Your expression tells another story.”

“If by that you mean my surprise? I guess I thought you wouldn’t be that careless to be caught on video like you were with me.”

“It was a joke, Brooklyn,” he says, and I tell him it wasn’t funny. I almost ask him then where do you fuck the women you’re seeing, but I keep my mouth shut. I don’t want to know. I regret ever asking.

I glance up at him as I take a sip of coffee, and his expression shows slight remorse. How can he possibly think that was funny. Fucking prick.

“I’m sorry.”

“For what? Fucking me and dragging me into this new nightmare so you can make jokes?” There’s enough bite in my tone to leave a scar, and I fucking hope it does.

“I don’t usually fuck students.”His tone is different, and I can’t place it.

“Usually?” I counter. “And I’m not your student.”

“You know what I mean.”

“I obviously don’t.”

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