Page 56 of Marry Lies
He cocks his head. “Where’s your husband, then?” he asks. I can tell he means well, and I give him a small smile.
“He’s working late,” I answer.
The server presses his lips together as he shakes his head. “His loss. If I were the one married to you, I wouldn’t—”
“Is there a reason you’re still flirting with my wife?”
I spin around to face a seething Miles. His jaw is clenched, and his hands are in his pockets. He doesn’t look at me—he just continues staring at the server.
“Miles, he was just being nice,” I explain.
His eyes flick over to my face, and I can see the unmitigated fury in his flared nostrils and flushed cheeks. He turns to face the server again.
“I suggest you leave,” Miles grits out.
The server holds his hands up. “I was just speaking the truth, mate. You have a beautiful wife.”
“Get. Out.”
The server chuckles. “All I’m saying is I’m a nice bloke, but the next guy might not be. I’m just a fellow Brit watching out for her.”
I hear a deep, low growl emitting from Miles’s chest. He steps forward. “If I see you speak another word to her, I will ensure you’re unemployable for the rest of your life.” The server’s eyes widen, but there’s a hint of skepticism. Miles must see it too, because he takes another step closer. “Go ahead and underestimate me. I’d love to prove you wrong,” he snarls.
The server must realize he’s in a losing battle, because he gives me a small nod before turning and leaving Miles and I alone in the dark hallway.
“That was unnecessary,” I tell him, crossing my arms.
Miles slowly turns to face me. His darkened eyes skirt from my feet to my face slowly, like he’s drinking me in. His expression softens slightly when he meets my gaze, and he rubs his mouth with his hand.
“You look lovely,” he says curtly.Formally.
I roll my eyes. “So nice of you to grace us with your presence,” I retort, suddenly feeling angry at his jealous antics. He hasno rightto stake a claim over me like that. Not when he doesn’t seem to give a single fuck about me.
“I’m sorry I’m late,” he offers, walking closer. And despite really needing a wee, I can’t help but be transfixed by him. His crisp suit. His intense scowl. His light green eyes. I go still until he’s right in front of me. Reaching out, his hand comes to my straightened hair. “I like it better when it’s curly,” he says, his voice husky.
I get a whiff of green apples, and I fight the urge to kick him in the bollocks. “I’ll take yourpreferencesinto consideration next time.”Next time.As if getting drinks with his brother and new sister-in-law will become a regular occurrence. Which means more days of solitude and solo drives into Crestwood. More being the third wheel until Miles deigns us with his presence. Wondering if he evenseesme most days, or if there’s ever a time he doesn’t act like a robot.
A new rush of anger floods me. “You know, if you’d heard the conversation I was having with that man, you might’ve heard me tell him that I was married,” I tell him. “I promised you monogamy and I intend to keep my word.”
Something akin to surprise flashes over his expression. “You think I’m worried aboutyou, butterfly?”
His nickname for me turns my knees to jelly. He’salmostclose enough to brush the front of his body with mine, but not quite.
I shrug. “It sure seems like you don’t trust me.”
He laughs at that, and I’m thrown off by the way it floods me with warmth, and the way the sound is almost light—like a purr. I haven’t really heard it before.
He should laugh more.
“You think I don’t know that you’re mine?” My breathing hitches as his hand brushes against my hip, gripping it firmly. “You’re lucky he didn’t touch you, Estelle.”
“And why’s that?” I whisper, my breath shaky.Damn him. Damn him for always being able to pull me back into his strong, gravitational pull.
Giving me a cruel, lopsided smile, he leans down until he’s inches away from my face.
“Because I don’t like it when people touch my things.”
He turns and leaves before I can process his words. Stepping into the bathroom, I have to take a few steadying breaths at the sink before I’m able to relieve myself.
