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Chapter Seven
Rage boiled within Royce’s heart as he pulled Susan away from him and held her hand. What had the scumbag done or said to leave her in this shape?
Leading her into the garage and kitchen, he urged her inside. “Can you change into flats?”
“Yes. I’ll tell my mother we’ll be going out.”
He opened the backyard door and called the animals. Mitzi and Wendy rushed into the garage and jumped up to the shelf housing their beds. They’d learned long ago it was the safest place for a good night’s sleep, away from Max’s heavy paws and rude teasing.
“Max, we’re going for a walk.” He clasped a leash to the dog’s collar.
Always eager to run and play with his master, Max waggled his tail happily.
A few minutes later, Susan returned, having changed her fancy orange bouffant pants and blouse, into black leggings, a long-sleeved acrylic t-shirt, and a pair of sneakers. Apparently she’d regained her self-control.
“Ready to run with you guys.”
Holding the leash in one hand and her hand in the other, he led her to the park where he often exercised with Max. He whistled. Max stood to attention, looking at him. Royce unclasped the leash. “Go Max. We’ll follow.”
Jogging next to each other, they ran around the park several times, until he noticed that Susan’s breathing had become labored and loud.
“Care to sit on this bench?”
“Sure.” She dropped down and heaved a big sigh. “That was good.”
He whistled. Max darted to their bench and lay at their feet. “Good dog.” Royce gave him a treat to reward him for his obedience and then waited silently for Susan to open up about her hurt; however, theSusanhe knew rarely complained.
“I came over tonight to give you my report, but Kasem filled you in on his time at the gym and the pool.”
“He told me he went to the gym and the pool. Period. No mention about how many women he’d met, how many he’d flirted with. Do you care to elaborate? I’ll make sure I pay well. In kisses as promised.”
Something in her voice alerted him—an unusual sadness.
He shook his head. “Susan, I promised to help you, but not just to get a few kisses. You’re my dear friend.”
She lowered her head, as if dejected. “Okay, if you’re not interested in my kisses, don’t worry about that. I know I’m far from being a good kisser.” She snickered.
Damn it. What was wrong with her?
“Susan, I value your kisses more than you can imagine,” he started, weighing every word. “I won’t cheapen them as a price of spying on a sleaze. To get back to his today’s activity, he chatted with several women in the gym, as he confided. It makes me uncomfortable to tattletale on him.”
Her head snapped up. “Then you don’t want to help me anymore?”
“I do, and I will. But you don’t need me to push him into any woman’s arms. He’s going there full speed.”
“How is that helping me? He’s determined to marry me in a month, get his share of my dowry, and cheat his ass off.”
Her words stabbed him in the heart. He pursed his lips and shook his head. “He won’t marry you, Susan. I’ll never let him marry you, even if I have to kidnap you.”
“You, Royce?” She scoffed. “You’re as much a womanizer as he is.”
“No, Susan. You have to trust me.”
He’d proven he could be as virtuous as they come when they were both studying, but then she left to get married. Well, he couldn’t stay chaste for the rest of his live. To give him credit, he’d been monogamous, his brief relationships frustrating him way too soon. None of the women compared to Susan… Which reminded him he should break it off with Tracy before Susan heard about her.
Susan narrowed her eyes.
He blinked.
