Page 35 of Cloudy With a Chance of Bad Decisions

“George—” Roderick tried to interrupt, but he might as well have not been there at all.

“Alex started it,” June replied, looking inappropriately excited about Alex’s reaction to me. “Let them finish.”

This was out of character for me. In all my life, I’d never gotten physical like this—even when I was at my most upset. I could see why he was concerned.

But there was simply something about Alex that pushed all my buttons.

And he did it on purpose.

Like he was a kid in an elevator, jabbing every last one just to see them light up.

Shame—due to our audience and the scene I was causing—made my throat feel tight all over again. Squeezing, squeezing, as each labored breath puffed against Alex’s lips. I did my best not to be unfairly affected by how very hot Alex’s body ran—or the way his expensive scent made my cock perk up.

He’d pushed me to my breaking point, but oddly enough, he didn’t back down. Even though he knew first-hand that I was the kind of man who followed through with my threats.

My nostrils flared.

“Guys, seriously?” Roderick once again played peacemaker. I refused to look away from Alex. Not for a single fucking second. “Alex was teasing. Right, Alex?”

“Right,” Alex agreed, his black gaze caught on mine. “I wasteasing, Georgie,” he purred, pink tongue flickering out to wet his lips. “Listen to Roddy. Be sensible. There’s no need to getphysical.”

Despite his words, he sounded pleased. Cold turned hot. His apathy was gone. Was this another trick? Confusing. He was so fuckingconfusing.

Judging by the hungry look in his eyes, Alex wanted to get far more physical with me than this. That thought sent another fizzle of electricity zapping between us.

“Right!” Roderick agreed, bless his heart, not recognizing the innuendo.

“You’re so adorable when you’re mad,” Alex whispered, quiet enough only I heard. “You know that right? Makes me crazy.”

Which one was I? Boring, or adorable?

Christ.

My head had begun to hurt, the weight of the crowd’s attention burning-burning-burning.

Alex’s body was solid against mine. Sweat beaded at the edge of his collar, glistening at his temples, making his dark hair stick to his forehead. He’d been damp at the airport too, because of the rain. This was better, somehow.

Pressed tightly to Alex’s deliciously full, muscular chest, it was impossible to think about anything other than sex. One push and our cocks would align, for god’s sake. Alex looked like the kind of man who liked to get rough. Who liked to shove and bite and fuck. Who wasn’t afraid to take what he wanted.

Alex wasn’t frightened of my anger, or the crowd’s opinions.

And no matter how hard I pushed, and snapped, and hissed—he didn’t cow. I knew, realistically, at the moment he was being an asshole. But…for the sake of being fair, I was the one who’d stabbed him earlier. I also knew that all I’d done since we’d met was bite his head off—even after he’d been kind enough not to mention the dildo incident.

We were both acting ugly.

So why…did fighting with Alex feel good?

Because there was no denying that it did.

I’d never been like this with anyone else. I’d always been reserved, eager to please—a peacemaker, like Roderick. A people pleaser. A perfectionist. Docile and fake—so terrified of losing the affection I craved that I’d do anything to keep it, even compromise myself.

But not with Alex, apparently.

With Alex, I spoke my mind.

Even when it shattered my image.

“Alex,” Juniper sighed, exhausted. “Enough.”

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