Page 30 of Sweet Spot

From the corner of my eye, I saw Chase flinch, but I put up my hand to stop him from moving toward Trevor.

I scowled up at the jerk who had basically stolen four years of my life. "That's it, isn't it, you sick creep. You just had it in your head that you wanted a virgin bride. And while I stupidly waited for you, you helped yourself to every woman who would have you."

I pushed past him and walked around to stand in front of Chase. Chuck and George and every passerby had stopped to watch, but I didn't care. I was filled with so much rage at the thought of losing out on all those years, years I would never get back, all I could think of was getting back at Trevor.

"If finally finding out what it's like to kiss and be touched by a real man and not a slimy, spoiled narcissist like you makes me a whore, then I'm happy to be damaged goods." Since there was no room for me to stomp out of and no doors to slam shut for dramatic exit, I threw my arms around Chase and kissed him. The onlookers applauded, and Chuck shot out a loud whistle.

Spoiled asshole that he was, Trevor swung his fist at the coffee cups I had stacked on the counter. They shot in every direction. He stomped out of the kiosk.

Chase moved me behind him in a protective gesture that made my chest feel heavy with affection for the man.

Trevor lifted his chin and stood nearly toe to toe with Chase. "You can fucking have her."

"Sorry asshole, but I think she just made it pretty clear that she wasn't yours to give. Now I'm going to let you walk away from here with all those pearly whites still in your smug face, but if you ever come near Macy again, I will fucking hurt you."

Trevor stuck around for about two more seconds before marching off with that same petulant stomp I saw after I called off the wedding.

Chase turned to me. "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine, I mean for damaged goods and all." I tried to act nonchalant as if the entire incident was just one to be laughed at over tea with the girls, but my pulse was just beginning to drop low enough that I could no longer hear it in my ears.

Chase lifted my chin with his fingers and brushed my lips with a light kiss. "He's an asshole. Seems to me, you dodged a big, ugly bullet when you called it off with that guy."

"I couldn't agree more. And thank you for that. I wasn't sure how to get rid of him, but you seemed to have found his weak spot—fear. I always had this inkling that he was the type of guy who would pull his wife in front of him as a shield if someone broke into the house." I still hadn't forgotten that Chase had immediately pushed me behind him for protection. That was when I realized I'd never felt that way with Trevor.

With the day's entertainment over, people returned to whatever it was they were up to. George and Chuck got back to work but I was sure I was going to get the third degree the moment they had some spare time. I had customers heading toward Sweet Spot as well, which Chase noted too.

I took hold of his hand before getting back to work. "I didn't get a chance to thank you for last night either. I'm afraid I was a very rude hostess last night when I fell fast asleep. I'm sorry, but your deluxe spa treatment had been so relaxing, and I was so tired—"

Chase leaned forward and kissed my forehead. "My pleasure, and I see you've got customers so I'll quickly ask you what I'd planned on asking you before I saw that clown standing in the kiosk. It's my weekend at the Plaything beach house, and I was hoping you'd go with me. We could leave Saturday after you close up and be back Sunday afternoon in time for you to get ready for Monday."

I dropped my head back. "That sounds amazing. Are you sure you want to waste your beach house weekend with me?"

"Yes, I won't even go if you say no."

"You know what, yes, I will go. I'm ready for a real day off. In fact—" I glanced in the direction that Trevor had lumbered off. He was gone, and gone for good, I hoped. "I'm ready," I repeated and gazed up at him, hoping he'd understand. He seemed to, but it was obvious he didn't want to jump to conclusions. "I'm starting to feel a little greedy about the whole thing."

Chase still hadn't responded, and I wondered if I'd just made a major ass of myself by assuming that he wanted to take me to bed. "Of course, if you're not interested . . ."

"Not interested?" His deep laugh caught me off guard. "Holy shit, not interested. Considering that I've been thinking of little else, I think I can safely say I'm interested. I'll call you later."

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