Total pages in book: 140
Estimated words: 137324 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 687(@200wpm)___ 549(@250wpm)___ 458(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 137324 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 687(@200wpm)___ 549(@250wpm)___ 458(@300wpm)
“They understand the concept of no.”
“I’m not in the mood for free shows, either.”
Frustration burns through me. “What does any of this have to do with you trying to give me a fucking lap dance?”
Her eyes widen and she blinks rapidly. Great, now I feel like an asshole for making her cry. “I thought we were still friends,” she whispers.
“Not that kind of friends.” Christ, I want this conversation over with and her out of my office.
She leans forward. “Are you sure?”
I run a critical gaze over her, my lip curling in distaste. If she changed into those scraps to impress me, she doesn’t know me all that well. I’ve watched women walk around in that and less for most of my life. It’ll take more than skimpy outfits to capture my interest for more than two seconds. She should know that about me by now.
“Dex?” Expectation simmers in her voice.
I run my gaze over her again. It would be so easy to fall back into a familiar, comfortable pattern with her. I’d absolutely regret it later. No question about that. The desire just isn’t there.
All I see is Emily.
All I want is Emily.
No matter how long it takes her to come to her senses.
How the fuck did I manage to get so obsessed with one stubborn redhead?
It doesn’t matter. Emily and I will be together. Period. And there’s no fucking way I want her to find out that the first thing I did when we split was fall dick-first into an old…friend.
Not fucking happening.
Never mind I have no interest. Christ, Emily’s stolen my desire for anyone but her.
Swan’s a friend. And a friend of my club.
Even though I’m irritated as fuck, I’m worried about her sudden change in behavior.
“What’s going on?” I ask in a slightly less hostile tone.
“Nothing. What’s the big deal?” She nods toward the hallway. “The guys said you and Emily split.”
“Who told you that?” I can’t picture Grinder or Rooster spreading that around. Jigsaw? Nah, I don’t see him running his mouth, either.
“Uh…” She fiddles with a long string that ties her shorts together at the hip. “I think I overheard Rav mention it…” Her voice trails off as if she’s worried about ratting out Rav’s gossipy mouth.
“Rav should mind his fucking business. Or is he eager to take my job? Because he can fucking have it.”
She sucks in a breath. “You’d leave here just to get away from me?”
Annoyance drowns out my inclination to protect Swan’s feelings. “Get over yourself. You’re barely even here anymore. I don’t have an issue with you. At least, I didn’t until you pulled this shit.”
There’s that wobble in her bottom lip again and the shine in her eyes. It’s not some manipulative bullshit, either. Swan’s sensitive and I’ve never been so harsh with her. Now I feel lower than shit.
“Fine. I’m sorry.” She shrugs. “I just thought we—”
“I know what you thought,” I snap. “Why?”
“You’re…” She drops her gaze to the floor and shrugs. “Comfortable, I guess.”
Just what everyone wants to hear.
“Discomfort is where we grow, Swan,” I say in a tired voice.
“Ugh.” She snorts in disgust. “Don’t pull that shit on me, Dex. You’re not my fucking dad.”
“Thank fuck for that,” I grumble.
A spark of hope lights up her eyes.
“Don’t read more into that,” I warn.
“You’re that serious about Emily, huh?” she asks with another nose wrinkle.
The tone of her question rubs against me like sandpaper. “Emily is none of your business. And I’m not looking for your approval.”
“No shit.” One of her heels clicks hard against the tile floor. “I understand that well and good.”
“Glad to hear it. Because I don’t want a repeat of this.”
“Okay. Okay. I’m sorry.”
“What’s really going on? I thought you were seeing Carter?” Last I knew she’d been tight with Teller’s brother-in-law. Especially after we rescued him from a bunch of meth-head bikers out in Vermont. From what I saw, she’d been right by his side nursing him back to health.
She pulls an annoyed face. “I don’t like being part of his harem with Bianca and June.”
I can’t help it. I squeeze my eyes shut and snort. Good for Carter.
“Yeah, yeah,” she says in a tired voice. “Real rich for the club whore to say that. I get it.”
“That’s not why I’m laughing.” I scowl at her. “And don’t say shit like that. No one thinks you’re a whore.”
She cocks her head. “Seriously? I’ve been passed around the MC like a bong at a music festival for years.”
Stunned by her characterization, I stare at her for a few seconds. “Then why stay?”
“Where else am I supposed to go?”
“Anywhere you want.” I throw my arm toward the door. “You’ve been stacking cash for years.”
“You know I can’t do that,” she says through clenched teeth.
“Swan.” I blow out an exasperated breath. “Everyone cares about you. You wanted to go to the pole dancing championships, we sent you. You wanted to teach yoga instead of dance, we helped you do that. All your expenses are taken care of—”