Page 23 of I see you Beauty

Just as I’m about to look away, Ezra breaks away from his companion and looks in our direction. He’s about to turn away, but then his head snaps back with a surprised expression, his eyes widening slightly when he sees me. He quickly recovers, nodding toward us with his usual smile fixed in place. I could scream!

After I follow Thomas’s example and greet Ezra reluctantly, we take a seat at our table. I don’t want to think about him anymore and want to block out everything to do with Ezra King. But my husband probably sees things differently. As soon as we sit down and pick up the menu, he looks over his shoulder at him again.

“I can’t stand this guy,” he murmurs, looking back at me.

I avoid looking at Ezra’s table and look at my husband with a charming smile. I carefully reach across the table and place my hand on his pleadingly.

“Thomas, I don’t want to discuss our neighbor and his date now. We’re here because we wanted to spend a nice evening together,” I remind him with a subtle smile of our plans for today.

“I’m just saying. I can’t stand him. But yes, you’re right.”

Satisfied, I nod and give him an encouraging smile before turning to the menu. The dishes sound delicious, and I’m hopeful that even my fussy husband will find something he likes.

Although the evening was wonderful, and our conversation stimulating, I couldn’t take my eyes off Ezra and his date. The wine, the salad, and the main course were delicious, but my attention kept drifting back to them. The way they share their food… it’s almost disgusting, yet I can’t ignore the stabbing pain in my chest. Seeing him here with someone else hurts because it shows me I made the right decision. It shows me that Ezra is just like everyone else, and he’s never really been about me, only about seducing me. Heavens! What was I thinking?

So, I shake off the hurt and the disappointment and turn my full attention back to my husband.

“If the lady will excuse me for a moment.”

Thomas stands up and heads for the restroom. We are still waiting for our dessert, and we’ve had a wonderful evening so far. We’ve talked and laughed a lot about old times. It’s been refreshing to reconnect and get to know each other again. The daily grind has kept us in a rut for far too long.

I take another sip of my wine with a smile as Ezra’s gaze meets mine. I didn’t want to look over again; honestly, I had hoped they would have left by now. But to my dismay, they seem to be having a lot of fun, especially her. Because his hand, which was on her shoulder earlier, is now under the table, and if I can see his arm movements correctly, I have a pretty good idea of his fingers under the table.

My eyes are burning with rage. No matter what I do, I can’t turn it off. I know I’m killing him with my gaze right now. That pompous ass! I’m so angry, but most of all, disappointed, even if I don’t want to admit it to myself. Because I thought it would be different, that he would be different.

When I see how her mouth forms into a pleasurable O, and his devilish smile and stoic look challenge me, my patience snaps. I meet Thomas halfway because I want to get out of here.

“I’d like to leave, please,” I say calmly, trying not to let Thomas see I’m upset.

“Why is that?” Thomas asks, a little taken aback, and looks at me in irritation.

“I don’t feel so good. The wine… it was probably one glass too many,” I lie quickly, hoping he’ll buy it.

Luckily, Thomas nods and leads me to the bar so he can settle the bill. My gaze remains stubbornly fixed on the floor, even on my way out. I spare myself the sight because I don’t want to see Ezra pleasuring someone else.

I’m done with you once and for all!

Chapter Sixteen

Are you jealous, Beauty?

Ican’t stop grinning when you leave the restaurant with your husband.

Normally, I don’t behave that way—I’ve never felt the need to prove anything to anyone—but when I saw the scowl on your face, I knew you were wishing ill upon me, or rather, my companion. You’re jealous, Beauty…

But I’m sitting here because of you. I’ve had to distract myself with other women for days because I can’t get you out of my head. And you, of all people, are jealous…

I meant what I said in the changing room. I wanted to let you go. You’re not ready to cheat on your husband, let alone leave him for me, and I can understand that. Because I’m not the type of man to destroy a relationship or a family. But you are… different, Beauty.

You are so different that, after you left, I decided we should probably reconsider our decision after all. And now, only one question remains: Who has more staying power, Beauty…

Chapter Seventeen

My insides are buzzing like a volcano on the verge of exploding. My whole body has been on fire since Saturday evening. I am furious with Ezra and the unfair game he is playing. For days, I’ve seen woman after woman leaving Ezra’s house. Never the same one twice, of course, and each one more beautiful than the last. None older than their mid-twenties.

He did draw the curtains, though, which was unusual. But that would have been the icing on the cake if he’d made a show of his activities. God damn it!

I know I shouldn’t get upset about it. I shouldn’t worry about him and should get on with my life. But there’s nothing I can do about the stabbing pain in my chest. The feeling that he deceived me is like a raging storm inside me. Too intense for me to ignore.

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