Page 81 of Love Off Course

“Fucking stop calling me that,” I growl.

“What’s wrong?”Mamádemands, her hands on her hips as she walks into the living room with Sheridan on her heels.

I glower past her at Sheridan. She looks like a powerful goddess looking over her subjects. Rich and powerful. Seems as though she’s used to lording her money over others. My disgusted look has her frowning.

“I can handle…” I grit my teeth. “I can handle my shit myself.”

“Everyone is just trying to help,”Mamásays in a soft tone. “Let us help.”

“You mean let the rich girl save the fucking day,” I snap. “How much did it cost?”

“It doesn’t matter,” Sheridan placates.

“If fucking does!”

“Enough,”Mamásnaps. “You’ll cool your tone.”

“I’m a grown ass adult,” I bark at her. “You can stop with that shit.”

Mamáapproaches me slowly. “You need a break,mijo. As soon as this is over, you should come home. We’re sprucing up the hotel. It would do you some good?—”

“We’ll meet you at the funeral home,” I grind out, interrupting her. “Just go.”

Mamáexchanges a look with Sheridan, who gives her a clipped nod. She kisses me on the cheek before ushering Eduardo out of the condo. As soon as the door closes, I begin pacing, already eager to yank my tie off.

“I’m only trying to help,” Sher says. “Camilo, look at me.”

I lock eyes with her brown ones and fall victim to their depths. She lures me in with just a look until I’m chest to chest with her, peering down. Her palms caress my cheeks and she stands on her toes to kiss my lips. I grip her jaw and kiss her hard enough she moans.

“You shouldn’t have done that,” I growl, nipping at her bottom lip.

“It needed to be done. You weren’t able to think then.”

“It’s too expensive.”

“Then pay me back.”

“Beside the point, Sher.”

“I won’t apologize for looking after you,” she tells me fiercely.

“This is too much.”

She frowns, all strength bleeding from her features. “What is?”

“Us.”

Her flinch makes my heart fucking hurt. “No, it’s not.”

“It is.” I step back and rake my gaze down her fitted black dress. “Look at what I’ve reduced you to.”

“Reduced me to? What are you even talking about?” Her eyes water as she crosses her arms over her chest.

“I’ve made you weak,” I sneer.

“Weak? First you’re griping at me for paying for the funeral and now I’m suddenly weak?” A tear races down her cheek. “You make no sense, Camilo. Come on. Let’s get to the funeral home. You’re just upset.”

“I could fuck you right now and you’d let me. You wouldn’t tell me to shut the hell up. The old you would have. This weaker version of you submits to my asshole ways.” I shake my head. “I’m no good for you.”

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