Page 68 of The Master

“That-that’s not…that’s bullshit!” Roma practically shouted the last word. “Everyone knows that Nate’s a pervert. No one will believe you!”

“Oh, they’ll believe it.” I took a step toward her. “They’ll believe it because I’ll be on every news channel, talking to every reporter, every blogger, anyone who’ll listen. I’ll talk about how, if the genders had been reversed and a drunk naked woman woke up in bed with two naked men and no memory of what had happened, every feminist in the country would be up in arms. I’ll make sure everyone knows that you’re trying to slut-shame Nate and me about our sex life because you’re petty and jealous. You won’t have to be worried about the lawsuits that are going to bankrupt you or the criminal charges that will be filed against you because your reputations will be beyond repair when I’m done with you.”

Both women stared at me, and I could feel Nate watching me too. I wondered what he was thinking but didn’t even glance at him. I wasn’t quite done yet.

“Now, get your clothes and get on the elevator. I’m going to call down to security to make sure they see you leave. If you so much as dawdle, they’ll escort you from the building. After that, I recommend you start looking for a lawyer because I’m done playing nice. You’ve got a whole world of legal shit headed your way. Civil and criminal, so choose your lawyer wisely.”

A second of silence passed. Two. Three.

I pointed at them. “Get. Out. Now.”

They practically ran, and I went to the hall to watch them go. Once the elevator door shut behind them, I sent a text to Owen to make sure security got both women out of the building as quickly as possible. After I got a thumb’s up reply, I turned back around. It was time for Nate and me to have a conversation.

Forty-Five

Nate

I was awake.Or, at least, I was ninety-five percent sure this wasn’t a dream, but that five percent of doubt had some pretty good points as to why this couldn’t possibly be happening.

Like the fact that I’d woken up in my bed a few minutes ago, naked, with Roma and Calah – also naked – and Ashlee just standing there like she wasn’t surprised at all. If I’d ever imagined this scenario, my death would have come at some point shortly after she’d walked into the room. A smile wouldn’t have come into play at all. And I hadn’t even touched the ludicrousness of Roma and Calah being here in the first place. I’d consumed enough alcohol to be a little fuzzy, but I could never get drunk enough to have sex with them again.

Except Ashlee hadn’t even needed an explanation to know Roma and Calah were lying. Hearing that she knew I’d never cheat on her sent a rush of relief through me, but she wasn’t done yet.

Now, as I watched, she handled Roma and Calah with a strength and confidence that turned me on more than was probably appropriate in this situation. Her mild temperament and soft-spoken nature wasn’t an act, but few people saw the steel and intensity under the surface. She was no malleable submissive, meekly bowing her head, but she wasn’t just playing a part either. Her complexity appealed to me in ways that was surprising, and seeing her like this, fire blazing in her eyes as she faced off with the other two, solidified my belief that the two of us belonged together.

To my surprise, I didn’t even care that she said Roma and Calah had taken advantage of me while I’d been drunk. Technically, she was right, and while I never would’ve reported it on my own, I’d do it if Ashlee asked me to.

When she followed them out, I didn’t move from where I was sitting on the end of the bed, unsure of what I should do next. I’d been caught off-guard by all of this. My head was still spinning, foggy with lingering alcohol and sleep. So I did the only thing I could think to do. I waited.

“I’m serious.” She came back into the bedroom. “I’ll eviscerate them in the press if they don’t deal with their shit.”

I stood up, letting the sheet drop so I could take her face in my hands. I bent my head, but before I could kiss her, she put a hand on my chest and gave me a gentle push.

Right. She was probably pissed about me blowing her off earlier, and she had every right to be. I should’ve apologized first.

“I’m sorry.”

She gave me a puzzled look. “I meant it when I said I know you’d never cheat on me.”

“No, I mean for being short with you and telling you to go home when I knew that meant you’d have to clean up that mess all by yourself and–”

“I didn’t do it alone.” She smiled, and it went all the way to her eyes. “Owen, Gary, and Perry all helped. I completely understood that you needed time alone to process. We’ve been together non-stop for days. Wanting some space isn’t a bad thing.”

“Okay,” I conceded, “but I still should’ve asked you how dinner went.”

“We can talk later,” she said. “Right now, you need a shower.”

I frowned. “What?”

“You reek of alcohol and perfume.” Something must’ve clicked then because she added, “That’s why I didn’t want you to kiss me. I’m not mad at you, but I’m not letting you any closer without a shower and some time with a toothbrush.”

I laughed, the last of the weight falling from me. “Give me five minutes.”

“How about you brush your teeth, and then get started in the shower while I put clean sheets on your bed…and then I’ll come join you.”

“What did I ever do to deserve you?” I had to clench my fists to keep my hands to myself.

“Not a thing I can think of,” she teased as she stepped around me. “Now, go get clean.”

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