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She laughs. “No, Piper, you’re normal. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t get a kick out of pissing Ace off every now and then. Make-up sex is amazing.”
I screw my face up even though she can’t see me. “Really? What about when he’s being horrible?”
“It’s not often Ace is intentionally horrible. I mean, not to me anyway. And if he is, like if he snaps at me, I usually know it’s for a reason, like he’s stressing over something. Most of the time, he apologises once he’s calmed down. I think we’re all a little like that sometimes.” She sighs. “I wish he would yell at me right now. It’d be better than him treating me like a broken China doll.”
I groan out loud. “Sorry, Mae. I shouldn’t be bothering you with my stupid problems right now.”
“Don’t you dare hang up,” she yells. “I need this right now. It’s boring sitting here, worrying about my own woes. Besides, your problems amuse me.”
I smile into the phone. “Trust you to find amusement in my pain.”
“Look, you like him. Why are you overthinking this? He’s going to come with issues. Like Ace, he has a lot on his shoulders. But that doesn’t mean I think you should lie down and let him walk all over you, because that’s not your style. Treat him how you treat The Rebellion when they speak like crap to you. But then enjoy making up with him.” She giggles, and I realise how much I’ve missed that sound.
“Thanks, Mae. I love you.”
“I know you do,” she says confidently.
“How is he?” I ask, and she knows I’m talking about Hulk because it’s a habit I can’t seem to break.
“He’s Hulk. Annoying, abrupt, drinking too much, and fucking everything that looks in his pathetic direction,” she says, and I sigh. “If it’s any consolation, I think he’s hurting over you, and he’s all over the place right now. I don’t understand why he pushes you away and then plays the wounded victim when you reject him.”
“I don’t think about him as much as I used to. Does it mean I’m falling out of love with him?” I ask, sadness squeezing my heart.
Mae goes silent for a second, processing my words. “Maybe. It’s been a long time coming. I’ve been praying for the day that you’d wake up and see he isn’t good enough for you.”
“But you think Anton is?” I ask.
“No,” she says honestly, “but I think he’ll help heal you so that you can one day find a man who is. And let’s face it, Anton’s spoiling you like a man should spoil his woman.” My heart gives another squeeze, because Anton isn’t my man. Not really.
The bedroom door opens, and Anton marches in and heads straight for the bathroom. “I have to go, Mae. I’ll call you again soon.”
“Stay strong. Be badass,” she says. “Speak soon.”
I disconnect the call. Anton’s left the bathroom door ajar, and I resist the urge to peek through the small gap to catch a glimpse. “I have to visit someone,” he shouts from the shower. “When I return, we have plans, so be ready for eight o’clock.” I roll my eyes and open a social media app on my mobile phone. “Are you listening to me?” he asks, but I remain silent. Mae’s right, he needs to know it’s not okay to talk to me like shit.
The shower turns off as I continue to scroll through my social media. I hear his footfalls enter the bedroom. “Piper,” he growls. When I ignore him again, he moves into my line of vision. “Are you trying to make me mad?” He waits for a beat for my reply and then snatches my mobile from my hand and throws it beside me on the bed. “It’s a party. I’ll lay your clothes out,” he continues.
I follow him with my eyes as he goes into the walk-in wardrobe. I noticed a few dresses hanging in there earlier, all new with tags on and, not surprisingly, all in my size. He returns with a short white dress. It’ll enhance my tanned skin, but I already know I won’t wear it. He seems to read my mind and pushes his face closer to my own. Grabbing my chin between his thumb and forefinger, he forces me to look into his blazing eyes.
“Don’t even think of wearing anything other than that dress. Nothing but that dress. If you do, I’ll strip you naked in front of everyone.” It’s a warning that I’m pretty sure he’ll carry out.If he wants me to wear nothing but that dress, that’s exactly what he’ll get.
He keeps his face in mine. Our breaths hitch and something changes between us. I feel like electricity is rushing from his fingertips and entering my body where we’re connected. Aggressively, he pushes his lips against mine. The kiss is angry and hard. His well-trimmed beard rubs against my face, causing a burning sensation, and I welcome it. I pull myself into a kneeling position, and he pushes his hands into my hair, not breaking the kiss.
I eventually break away, and we stare at each other, panting. His hands are still gripping my hair at the base of my neck, and he pulls me back to him for another hungry kiss. My stupid stubbornness is now melting away as I run my hands over his broad shoulders. I feel the nail marks again and wonder if I did that to him this morning when he brought me to orgasm using the toy. I smile against his lips at the memory.
Anton’s hands move to my shoulders and then to the string of my bikini top. He tugs it open, and the top falls away, leaving me bare to him. He pulls back and his eyes feast upon my naked breasts. His hands cover them and he rubs his thumbs over my nipples. Leaning down, he takes one in his mouth. The warmth of his tongue causes sensations deep in my pussy and I groan out loud, unashamed of my wanton behaviour as I grip his head to my breast.
Suddenly, Anton steps back. He glares at me, his breaths coming out as pants and his chest heaving like he’s just run a marathon. His erection is practically bursting through the towel that hangs tightly around his waist. “I have to go,” he mutters, stepping back again.
“Are you kidding me?” I snap angrily.
“That dress or you’ll pay the price,” he mutters, pointing at the white garment on the bed. I watch open-mouthed as he goes back into the bathroom, this time closing the door firmly.
I remain on my knees on the bed, wondering what the hell just happened. How can a man keep stroking the fire only to walk away before he’s had his release? That’s the third time he’s been intimate with me, only to leave me before he’s taken what he needs. It makes no sense.
I get into bed. All the heat and emotional torment is taking its toll. I must fall asleep because I don’t hear Anton leave, but when I next open my eyes, he’s gone. I reach for my mobile and see it’s now seven in the evening. Groaning, I take myself to have a shower so I can get ready for another night of confusion with Mr. Jekyll and Hyde himself.
When I emerge from the bedroom at seven forty-five, I feel amazing. Gone is the unsure and wanton hoe from this afternoon, and in her place is a confident female who is ready to deal with Anton’s bullshit.
