Page 29 of My UnTrue Love
She cut him off. “But that would only be a temporary fix. This place just isn’t right for me, anymore. It’s my past and I have to go towards the future.”
She glanced around her room. Instead of appearing pleased that Johnny had convinced her to rent such a trendy house --somewhere they could be proud to live-- she seemed relieved to be leaving it behind.
To be leavingJohnnybehind.
His flash of fear became burning resentment. Why was she doing this to him? Tothem? How could she want to move out? Did she even consider the problems this would cause him?
“Is thishisinfluence on you?” He gestured towards the coyote.
This time Bill didn’t bother to look his way. He’d reached the top drawer of the dresser and he seemed mesmerized by Clementine’s underwear. His hands sank into the bits of silk and cotton, his chest expanding on a deep breath.
“Johnny, why can’t you just…?” Clementine gave a sudden squeak of alarm. “Bill!” She scampered over to slam her underwear drawer shut and very nearly guillotined his fingers off in the process.
Bill held up his hands in retreat, pink lingerie tangled around his wrist. He quickly yanked it free, wadding it up in his fist to disguise the provocative shape. Blue eyes flicked Johnny’s way, brooding and annoyed. He didn’t like that Johnny had seen the bra.
Johnny hadn’t actively thought about Clementine’s sexpot-shape since he was about eighteen. He liked his women thinner. Classier. Still, his eyes flicked down to her tawdry breasts, remembering how they’d pressed against his chest when she’d kissed him at their prom. Remembering how soft she’d been.
He frowned.
Clementine grabbed the bra back from Bill. “I can pack this drawer.” She said, stuffing the scrap of pink fabric into a random box. “You just… go work on something else.Anythingelse.”
Bill seemed to consider the embarrassment on Clem’s face. “I’ll go gather up your tampons, then.” He decided.
“No!”
“That stuffed bear you have hidden under your pillow?”
“Leave Mr. Pandy alone!”
“All your scandalous, secret diaries?”
“I don’t have any scandalous, secret…” She stopped short and laughed. “Stop teasing me!” She swatted his arm, even as her head fell forward to rest against his chest, hiding her red cheeks. “Jerk.” Now, she was amused instead of mortified.
Had the coyote deliberately made her more comfortable? Why would he bother?
Bill’s hands looped around her waist. His mouth curved in a very masculine expression, like he was cat-who-ate-the-canary pleased to have his arms encircling her warm body.
Johnny didn’t like that, either. He didn’t like any of this.
Bill tucked a springy blonde curl behind Clementine’s ear. “How about those pretty little crystal things?” He gestured towards the multicolored sun-catchers on her window. “Want me to get them? I’ll do my best not to break them all.”
“Yes. Go pack those.” She moved back from him. “I’ll go get some… um… other things.”
Clementine went dashing into the connected bathroom to make sure Bill didn’t go examining her feminine hygiene products. She didn’t glance Johnny’s way, forgetting he was even in the room.
Bill didn’t forget.
Frosty-blue eyes centered on Johnny. “If you want to help out, there’s still some coats in the closet to pack.” His tone had morphed back into mocking challenge.
“This is stupid.” Johnny gave a scoff, because he wasn’t falling for any of the coyote’s very obvious bullshit. “You think anything will come from this little ploy?”
“Ploy?”
“It won’t work, Bill. Other guys have tried to trick Clementine into bed, too. She won’t fall for it. She might be a muse, but she’s not some groupie whore.”
The coyote’s jaw flexed. “Only a total fucking idiot would suggest Clem was anything but perfect.”
“I’m just saying, she doesn’t sleep around.” Johnny heartily approved of her chaste lifestyle. He didn’t like the idea of his sweet little rosebud soiling herself with men. “But sheisa little naïve, so I’m not gonna let you use her to get back at me…”
