Page 14 of Force Play
“You realize you about bit my goddamn head off when we met, right?” I scoff.
“You were trying to tell me what to do,” she fires back. “I didn’t evenknowyou yet.”
“I never once told you what to do.” I cross my arms and gaze at her defiantly. “I told you what I saw, and you immediately came to Matt’s defense.”
“You kept pressing,” Lucia bites, pointing her finger at me. “I told you we weren’t together, but you didn’t let it go.”
“Because I knew he was going to cheat on you!” I practically shout, wincing when I realize I probably just made some of the patrons look over at us.
I watch as the words settle over her, and the feistiness she just got back is gone again. Lucia is deflated, shoulders slumped as she stares at the table.
“How did you know, though?”
I sigh. “I’ve known people like that in my life. I know how they operate. You weren’t together then, but it didn’t matter. Any man who’s going to make you a priority in a relationship is one who won’t look at another woman, regardless of being exclusive or not.”
She pulls her cardigan tighter around her chest. “Part of me wishes I’d listened to you.”
Does she… regret acting the way she did?
“Yeah, I wish you did, too.”
There you go, Ari. That’ll go over well.
“You’re a fucking ass,” she bites.
Can’t say I don’t deserve that.
“Look,” I sigh, trying to move this along. “We’re getting off topic. Do you want a place to stay or not?”
Lucia rolls her eyes before letting her head fall back, staring at the ceiling like it’s going to give her another option.
It clearly doesn’t because she groans and drops her head back to face me. “Yes.”
I may not be acompleteasshole, but that doesn’t mean I’m not an asshole at all. So,of course, I have to tease her.
“There. Was that so hard?”
If looks could kill, I’d already be six feet under.
“I’m doing this out of desperation, Morgan. This isn’t going to be a permanent thing.”
“Fine by me.” I reach into my pocket and grab my keyring, sliding off the spare key I put on before I left my place. I rest my elbow on the table and hold the key out for her. “Here.”
She grabs it apprehensively but pockets it and lets out a breath.
“Thank you.”
“Don’t worry about it. You said your lease ends soon, but I’m heading to Korea next week, so I won’t be here when you move in. I’m assuming you can handle that part on your own.”
“Of course, I can,” she replies, offended. “I’m not weak. I can handle myself.”
Dislike her as I may, I’ve still got eyes. I know she’s not weak because it’sveryapparent when you look at her.
Honestly, Lucia could probably kick my ass.
It’s kinda hot, though.
“Good.”
