Page 78 of Submission

“Can I have it?”

“Fine,” she sighs, handing it over. “But it’s my favorite one, so be careful with it.”

I don’t know why, but something about the way she’s captured me looking at her is making something in my chest unfurl.

“What?” Megan asks when I keep staring at the picture.

“Every time I think I’m done being surprised, you do something else and throw me off, Miss Taylor.”

“Sometimes you talk in riddles, and I wonder if someone dropped you on your head as a baby,” she says, giving me a wrylook. “Will I ever get a translation of these random thoughts of yours?”

I grin at her before squeezing her jaw and planting a kiss on her lips. “Such a smart mouth.”

She bites my lower lip in retaliation before pushing me off. “Go away. I have to clean up my paints, take a shower and get dressed. Naomi is doing our hair and makeup.”

“I can send you someone from the salon at–“

“Stop hovering, Megan’s landlord!” Naomi shouts from the couch. “I got this.”

“I’m going to shoot her,” I warn Megan as she laughs and pushes me out of the apartment with both hands on my back.

“You're not shooting her today, Mr. Middleton. Today is all about me. Now go so we can get ready.”

I tuck the picture in my inner jacket pocket before sneering at Naomi. “Once she starts living with me,her landlordis kicking you out.”

“That was a stupid move telling me that,” Naomi says as she hungrily munches on some random cheese-flavored snack. She then rolls her eyes at me then looks toward Megan. “Bestie, I feel like we don’t spend enough time together. Let’s never live apart.”

“Out, out, out,” Megan pushes me again as Naomi's chest rumbles with laughter. “Pick us up in a few hours.”

Megan rises on her toes and presses a kiss to my lips. And while I’ve been scrutinizing everything about her behavior lately, the kiss feels genuine. It feels like Megan. But after the door closes behind me, I frown.

Who have I become that I’ve allowed a college student and her snotty best friend to run completely roughshod over me?

This has got to change.

And it will start changing tonight.

Chapter 31

Just Pointing Out The Obvious

Hunter

“You’re pussy whipped,” Christian snickers once I walk back into my apartment.“

“Come again?” I challenge.

“I just thought you should know,” he smirks, shrugging his shoulders. “The lovely Megan has you completely wrapped around her little finger.”

“No one asked you for your opinion and why are you still in my home? Get a hotel room or something,” I respond, knowing perfectly well that he isn’t going to listen.

“Why don’t you move her in with you or marry her at this point?”

“How can I move her in when you’re always here?”

“My reaction shouldn’t be a surprise. Vaughn is the one who’s usually caught in his feelings for a woman, not you. This is new.”

“I’m not caught by anything. Megan has been through a lot of shit since she’s been in my orbit.”

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