Page 70 of One Night Seduction

“It’s just…” he starts as he pulls on a shirt, his eyes coming to mine. “Don’t make her regret that choice.”

My brows furrow as I cock my head to the side curiously.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, be worthy of her attention, of her affection. Don’t fuck this up. She deserves your absolute best and if you can’t give that?—”

“I can. I promise,” I say as I hold out my hand for him.

He watches me for a moment like he’s not sure if he believes me, but slowly nods in acceptance, taking my hand in his as he lowers his voice.

“You know I’ll kick the shit out of you if you hurt her, right?”

I shove him away, shaking my head smugly.

“Little boy, I’d like to see you try.”

He jumps at me, trying to wrap me up, but I easily twist out of his hold, keeping him in a headlock like I did when he was a kid. He struggles against me as we move around the room, but my hold on him never wavers. Eventually, he taps out and I release him. Tyson scrubs a hand through his hair, panting heavily.

“Damn, I was just joking. You didn’t have to go all Hulk smash on me,” he grunts like he wasn’t trying.

I roll my eyes and pat his back, urging him forward as we make our way downstairs. Everyone’s already eating breakfast, but my eyes seek out Arianna immediately and find her already looking at me. She smiles before covering it with a sip of orange juice, but I have no such tool. So, I just grin. I grin like a goddamn fool in love. Because I am, or at least it feels like love. I know that sounds psychotic, but I don’t really give a shit. I’ve never felt this way about anyone in my life. It’s the closest thing to love I’ll ever feel. I love that girl right there, and one day, she’ll love me too. I’ll make sure of it.

Tyson and I take up the empty seats, one beside Arianna and another between Kelly and Tom. As much as I hate it, I know where we’re expected to sit. So, I take my spot beside Kelly, ignoring her presence completely as I grab some eggs andbacon from the serving plates, looking at Marissa with a grateful smile.

“Thank you for breakfast.”

She waves me away like it’s nothing when Kelly speaks, effectively spoiling my good mood.

“Can we talk? In private?”

Her voice is just above a whisper, and I turn to look down at her. God, she looks awful. Her face is pale and gaunt, like she’s been puking out what little weight she has left all night. Her hair is in a greasy bun, and she’s wearing a baggy t-shirt and sleep shorts without an ounce of makeup on her face. I know something is seriously wrong because she’d sooner be on her death bed than be seen by anyone without being fully presentable. I was her husband, and I probably saw her without makeup less than a dozen times. That’s how vain she was.

“I’m not sure there is anything to say, Kelly.”

Tears begin welling in her eyes as she looks up at me pleadingly.

“Please, Logan. I need to apologize. Explain. I’ve just been under so much pressure at work, and I’m so lonely all the time. I miss you more than anything in the world. I just didn’t want to screw that up and?—”

“Drop it,” I say lowly, my eyes moving around the table.

Everyone is pretending to mind their own business, but make no mistake, every last one of them is eavesdropping.

“I can’t!” she says, reaching her hand out to my thigh. “Marissa told me what happened last night. I’m so embarrassed. So ashamed. Can you please forgive me?”

Fuck, this is exhausting. “You don’t need my forgiveness, Kelly.”

“I do, though!” she says, her hand moving to hold onto me tighter like that will stop anything. “I need you to forgive me so that we can?—”

Her words stop abruptly, a strange look passing her face before she looks down. Slowly, she lifts up torn-up red lace panties.

Fuck.

She holds them high above the table, capturing everyone’s attention. Her eyes stay on them for a long time, like her brain is carefully analyzing them in an attempt to figure out what they were doing in my pocket. My eyes move across the table to see Arianna wide-eyed with terror, Tyson’s mouth hanging open and Melanie and Brady watching with confused expressions.

Marissa quietly leans over to them, whispering something before they quickly get up and move upstairs. That seems to set Kelly off.

“What the FUCK!” she snaps, shoving her chair back so violently it rocks the table.

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