AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"Andrew," I said, my voice dripping with venom. "My private life is none of your business anymore." His eyes widened in surprise, but he didn't argue. He simply glared at me, anger flashing in his eyes.
Tony simply extended a hand to Andrew, his demeanor calm and collected, even a bit warm.
"Tony," he introduced himself, the corners of his mouth lifted in a genial, non-threatening smile.
A flare of anxiety shot through me as I watched Andrew's gaze flick between us, the gears of his mind turning as he tried to put the pieces together. I didn’t want Andrew to know anything about my life anymore. I just wanted to move on.
Finally, skeptically, Andrew took Tony's hand, shaking it with a curt nod. "Andrew," he grumbled, the words sounding like they were being forced out through clenched teeth.
As they pulled their hands back, I could tell that the air had changed. The tension was thicker, the undercurrent of animosity tangible. But through it all, Tony remained unflappable. His calm presence was a grounding force amidst the chaos. And for that, I was grateful.
Andrew's expression was thunderous, his pale blue eyes flashing in the fading daylight. The calm, laid-back man I once knew seemed to have been replaced by a jealous, controlling version.
"This isn't your house anymore, Andrew," I said firmly, the chill in my voice matching the frosty air outside.
His gaze, cold and hard, locked onto mine. "Jude—" he tried, a warning note in his voice. But I wasn't about to back down. Not anymore.
"Go home with your fiancée," I interjected sharply, deliberately emphasizing the last word. I threw a glance at Ashley. She was shifting uncomfortably, her gaze curiously focused on Tony who stood silently by my side. “As I said, you’re not welcome here.”
Tony, the charming doctor who was nothing like the hard men in Andrew's world, stepped forward. His presence was commanding, effortlessly dominating the space without needing to utter a word.
“I believe the homeowner has made her intentions known,” he said. “If you ask me, there’s nothing more to be discussed.”
"Well, no onedidask you,” Andrew spat, then instantly recoiled as if he had found the sense to realize that pressing would put him into a confrontation that he may not want. “Fine," he finally ground out.
Andrew spun on his heel and walked away, his gaze never leaving Tony. Ashley, looking a little flustered, nearly tripped before following him down the pathway. Her eyes remained on Tony as well, as if she were trying to decide what to make of him.
Once they were out of sight, Tony promptly shut the door, cutting off the chilly air and the residual tension that clung to it. He leaned against the door, a humorous glint in his eyes as he turned to me. "Are those two always such assholes?" he asked, his tone surprisingly light given the situation.
Laughter bubbled up within me, a welcome reprieve from the tense confrontation. I shook my head, grinning despite myself. Tony, with his casual confidence and disarming humor, had a way of making the world seem a little less daunting. It was in that moment, in the quiet aftermath of Andrew's visit, that I found myself feeling incredibly grateful for his unexpected presence in my life.
Chapter 18
Jude
The heat that had started as a small flame earlier had now become a full-blown wildfire between my legs. I watched Tony as he pushed away from the door, the muscles in his shoulders and arms rippling beneath his tight shirt. His cool confidence, his strong, unwavering stance during the entire confrontation with Andrew had stirred something within me. I yearned for him with an intensity that made my breath hitch.
It was crazy. Despite it being only a minute after Andrew had nearly taken him to blows, Tony was as calm and composed as ever. It was as if nothing had happened. My eyes flicked down to his hands, which were just as still as you’d expect for a skilled doctor under pressure. I found myself thinking about what else I knew he could do with them.
My gaze moved to his face as he turned toward me, his eyes glinting with humor. "Hey, you okay there?" he asked, a smile playing on his lips. "You seem a little distracted."
I shook my head, quickly stepping out of my reverie. "Yep, I'm fine," I replied, offering him a quick smile.
He chuckled softly, his gaze softening as he looked at me. "I have a feeling that's not entirely true," he said, taking a step toward me. He raised his hand to tuck a stray lock of hair behind my ear, his touch sending a jolt of electricity coursing through my body.
"Tell you what," he continued, a hint of teasing in his voice. "How about we put Andrew and his fiancée in the past for tonight and just enjoy our date?" He winked at me, obviously recalling our playful argument earlier.
His ease and charisma had a calming effect on me. Tony was a man who knew how to carry himself, how to handle a situation. It wasn't just his physicality that I found attractive, it was his entire persona, the perfect combination of confidence, humor, and strength.
“Now,” he said, turning toward the kitchen. “I believe we have dinner to finish.”
As Tony started to walk away, I reached out and grabbed his hand, halting him in his tracks. The surprised look in his eyes was priceless, and I couldn't help but allow a small giggle.
"Not so fast, doctor," I said, pulling him back toward me.
Our lips met in a searing kiss. His initial surprise gave way to fervor as he pulled me closer, his strong arms wrapping around me. I tangled my fingers in his hair, pulling him even deeper into the kiss. His lips were firm, yet gentle, and the taste of him was intoxicating.
We were so wrapped up in each other that we barely noticed when we stumbled onto the couch. Tony let out a low groan as he gently pushed me down, hovering over me. "Is this how you treat all your dinner guests?" he asked, his voice laced with playful humor.
