The Last Time (11 page)

Ryan laughed. “You slept with me after we knew each other for three days.”

“I never said I was a saint,” Janice snapped. “I just don’t talk to guys first. They talk to me.”

That wasn’t totally true. She threw herself at me hard and fast. But I wasn’t stupid enough to say that. Ryan would rip my throat out and I would never know my unborn baby.

“You’re still easy,” Ryan said.

“You’re one to talk.” Janice gave him a hateful look. “That’s so sexist. If a woman sleeps around, she’s a whore, but a guy can do whatever he pleases and he gets no negative connotation because of it. That’s bullshit.”

Ryan put his arm around her shoulder and leaned close to her. “Baby, I’m kidding. You know I don’t think of you in that way. I’m just saying we got together pretty quickly, but I think that’s because we’re meant for each other, not because we’re both easy.”

Her eyes softened and blush moved through her cheeks. “Oh.”

“Feel stupid?” Ryan asked.

“A little.”

“Good.” He
leaned back.

Scarlet placed her hand on my thigh underneath
the table, squeezing gently. “I’m so lucky to have such a devoted man.”

That was music to my ears. “You’re the only woman I see.”

“I know.” She kissed my cheek then nibbled my ear playfully. “I’m going to give you amazing head tonight.”

My cock sprang to life immediately. Now I couldn’t wait until her brother and Janice got the hell out.

13

Scarlet

I dug through my closet until I found a slutty black dress. Janice got it for me a few years ago when she wanted me to go on a date, long before I realized my deep feelings for Sean. It was ridiculously short and backless.

Since I was a month along in my pregnancy, I assumed it wouldn’t fit. But after I slipped it on, it did. It made my breasts look perky and my legs slim. It was definitely something I would
n’t be caught wearing now that I was married with a kid on the way. Well, I would wear it for Sean in the privacy of our bedroom.

When I walked downstairs, Flynn was talking with Sean. My husband didn’t look happy. His eyes were wide with annoyance. I knew he didn’t like this plan—
not for one second.

I came downstairs and saw the desire immediately moved into my husband’s face. It was a look I would never forget. I loved getting attention from him, and only him. I didn’t have it for so long, and now that I did, it made me feel special. I never felt particularly pretty or attractive in my life, but Sean made me feel beautiful.

Flynn nodded his head in approval. “Damn, you clean up good.”

Sean looked like he might kill him.

Flynn held up his hands in surrender. “Hey, I’m in love with Hazel. Remember? I’m meant that in a friendly way.”

Sean glared at him for another moment before he turned back to me. “You look—damn.”

I smiled, feeling my cheeks turn red. “I found this in the back of the closet.”

“I want you to wear that around the house all the time,” Sean blurted.

“I can do that,” I said with a smile.

“Now go upstairs and change,” Sean commanded. “You aren’t going out like that.”

Just like that, my mood turned sour. “Excuse me?”

“I don’t want you dressing like that when I’m not around. The dogs will bark.” Sean gave me a firm look.

“First of all, I wear whatever the hell I want to wear, and secondly, Flynn is acting as my boyfriend so I’ll be off limits anyway.”

Sean didn’t look pleased. “I’m coming.”

“No,” I said immediately. “You’ll make a scene.”

“I’m not letting you out like that,” Sean snapped.

Flynn looked uncomfortable. “Scarlet, you look beautiful in anything you wear. I’m sure jeans and a t-shirt will work.”

Sean nodded. “Now go.”

“No,” I said. “I want to make sure his ex is jealous. And the best way to do that is to flaunt everything.”

Sean looked at my chest then back at my face. “I can see your cleavage.”

“Good for you,” I hissed.

Sean sighed in annoyance.

“It’s just for a few hours and then it will be over,” I said. “Flynn will be there the entire time. “

“I’ll look after her,” Flynn said. “You can trust me.”

Sean gave him a hard look then shoved him against the wall, putting his arm across Flynn’s throat.

I covered my face, mortified.

“Let’s get something straight.” Sean was red in the face. “You touch anything besides my wife’s hand and I’ll kill you. If anyone bothers her and you don’t take care of it, I’ll have your head.”

Flynn held his hands up. “Got it.”

Sean finally released him.

I was so embarrassed. “Flynn, I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize,” he said quickly. “I understand.”

“And I’m coming,” Sean said.

“No.” I narrowed my eyes. “Stay here.”

“No,” he said firmly. “I’ll wait in the car, but I’m coming with you. If you need me, I’ll be a block away.”

I knew that was the most I was getting out of him. And it was a reasonable compromise.

Sean turned to Flynn. “If this is all a lie and you did cheat on Hazel, I’m breaking your wrist.”

I knew Sean wasn’t lying.

Flynn didn’t seem afraid. “I wouldn’t waste your time
with an elaborate charade unless I was being honest. I really do appreciate the two of you helping me out. Hazel is my whole world. I have to get her back.”

I heard the desperation in his voice even though he tried to hide it.
“We’ll make it happen, Flynn.”

He nodded then walked out the door.

Sean grabbed my arm. “If he does anything, I mean anything, you call me and tell me. I will rip all his limbs off then toss them in the alleyway.”

“Sean, calm down.”

“I don’t like it when anyone touches you but me.”

“It’s all a show. I can tell Flynn isn’t attracted to me.”

“Did you not hear the comment he just made?” he hissed.

“He isn’t blind to beauty but he isn’t attracted to me either. I can tell.”

Sean didn’t seem assuaged.

“Come on, get a grip. If I can be around Janice every single day even though she slept with you, you can handle this.”

His eyes narrowed. “Not the same thing.”

“Damn right it’s not. Now
get over yourself.”

He sighed. “I just want to protect you, okay? You’re carrying my baby.”

“I’m not competing in the Tough Mudder or something,” I snapped. “I’m just going to sit in a booth and hold Flynn’s hand—nothing to get upset about. You need to calm down and not be jealous.”

He ran his fingers through his hair then took a deep breath. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I lost sight of why we’re doing this.”

My anger dimmed. “It’s okay, Sean. I know you just care about me.”

“
No. I love you.” He held me close to him. “I guess I’m a little psycho when it comes to you. You’re the greatest thing that ever happened to me and I don’t want to share you with anyone, even if it is all a show. I want to be the only man who holds your hand, the only guy who can put his arm around you.”

“And you are,” I said gently.

“I’m sorry I’m so obsessed with you.”

I smiled. “It’s okay. I’m obsessed with you too.”

“Would you be jealous if I did something like this with Hazel?”

“No,” I said honestly.

He sighed. “I’m pathetic, aren’t I?”

“A little.” I kissed his cheek. “But I love you anyway.”

“That’s a relief.”

I took his hand. “Now let’s go.”

“I’m fucking you in that dress when we get home.”

“That sounds like fun.” I gave him a playful look.

He growled then grabbed my ass. “Let’s get this over with.”

Sean stayed in the car while Flynn and I walked inside.

“Johnny told me that one of her friends said she would be here tonight.” He grabbed my hand and scanned the tables. Feeling him touch me felt odd. I was so used to Sean’s embrace, his smell and his warmth. I ignored the discomfort. I admit Flynn was a good-looking guy and his tattoo only highlighted his attractiveness, but I just didn’t see him that way. I only had eyes for my husband—even though he was fucking crazy.

“Follow my lead,” he said. His arm snaked around my waist, resting on my bare skin. As soon as I walked across the room, heads turned. I wasn’t used to getting attention like this. It never bothered me when it happened because Sean was there. But now he wasn’t. I guess I thought I lost all my fire after I got married. Apparently not.

Flynn pulled out the chair for me and waited for me to sit down. Then he sat beside me. His
arm rested over the back of my chair and he leaned close to me.

“Uh, we have a problem,” I said.

“What?”

“I can’t drink.”

“Oh. Just order a glass but don’t drink it.”

“Okay.”

He kept his face close to mine, like we were having an intimate conversation.

“Now what?” I asked.

“Look for a dark-skinned woman. She’s pretty and about your height.”

I scanned the bar discreetly. “I don’t see anyone.”

He sighed. “She must not be here yet.”

“Okay.”

He kept his arm on the back of my chair. “When she walks in, I need you to be all over me.”

“Which entails…?”

“Whatever you’re willing to give.”

“No kissing,” I said firmly.

“That’s fine.”

The waiter ca
me over and Flynn ordered for the both of us.

“I suspect she’ll be jealous as soon as she sees how hot you are. I’m hoping that will provoke her into saying something to me.”

“Me too.”

We waited, Flynn tensing beside me.

“I really appreciate you doing this,” he said. “My life without her has been…miserable. The fact she hates me for something I didn’t even do hurts.”

“Well, in her defense, it did look pretty bad, Flynn.”

“I know. But if this happened to you and Sean, you would believe him.”

I would. “But that’s different.”

“It is. Because your relationship is stronger. That’s what I want with Hazel. A solid relationship based on friendship and love, and most importantly, trust. This has to work. As lame and weak as this sounds, I can’t live without her. I need her in my life.”

My eyes softened. “We’ll get her back.”

“I hope so.” He grabbed his beer and took a deep drink.

Flynn and I made small talk over the next hour. I never had a private conversation with him, so it was nice to get to know him on a personal level. He was fun, out-going, and playful. But I saw the sadness in his eyes. He was lost without Hazel.

“You know, at one point in time, I was hoping Hazel would end up with Cortland,” I said.

“Oh.” His tone was clipped.

“But after seeing you two together, I’m so glad she ended up with you.”
              He smiled. “Thank you. I think she and I are perfect for each other.”

“I do too.”

He watched the door then flinched when he recognized someone. “She’s here. It’s show time.” He turned to me and gave me his full attention. His arm was wrapped around my chair and his body was angled to me. The intense look he gave me made me feel like a piece of meat. He was really getting into the performance. I knew I had to be convincing. I put my hand on his thigh then rubbed my leg against his under the table.

Flynn kept staring into my eyes. “Okay. I hope she notices us.”

“Shit.”

“What?”

“I’m wearing my wedding ring,” I whispered.

“Put your hands under the table and switch it to the other hand.”

I hesitated. I hadn’t removed it since the moment Sean slipped it on my finger on our wedding day. But I knew this was important so I made the change.

“Thank you,” he said.

I leaned close to him, far too close for friends, and tried to act like I was attracted to him. It felt weird to be affectionate with anyone but Sean—really weird.

Flynn kept talking to me, trying to make conversation with me so I wouldn’t feel so nervous. He touched my neck then pulled loose strands of hair from my face. His touch was gentle. He never kissed me or acted like he planned on it. After a few minutes, I didn’t feel so scared. Even though Sean knew I was doing this, I felt like I was cheating on him.

“She’s coming,” he whispered. “Act like you’re in love with me.”

“Flynn?”

Flynn turned to a dark-skinned woman. Her flawless skin and bright brown eyes immediately drew me in. Her curves and perfect posture gave her grace and elegance. She was definitely beautiful, at the same level as Monnique. “Hi.” He turned back to me like she didn’t matter.

Zahara looked confused, not understanding what was going on. I got brave and leaned my mouth to his neck, acting like I was leaving him a trail of kisses. Flynn picked up on the affection and pretended to enjoy it.

Now she looked hurt. “What happened to Hazel?” she blurted.

Flynn closed his eyes and moaned as he
pretended to enjoy something I was doing to him. “Hazel? You mean the girl you tricked into thinking I cheated on? Her?”

“So, you broke up?”

He turned to her, his arm still around me. “After you texted her and told her I was cheating on her with you, she confronted me and believed it. And when she walked into the bedroom and saw the preparation you made, she dumped me. She packed her shit and left.” He kept the anger out of his voice. Then he shrugged. “So I moved on.”

I waited for her to challenge his statement or agree to it. This was the moment I’d been waiting for.

“But…now you’re with this girl?” She gave me a dirty look.

“
Who else would I be with?” he asked dully. “Hazel won’t take me back.”

“You could have called me. You and I are supposed to be together.” She looked flustered and caught off guard. Judging the distant tears in her eyes, she obviously really cared for Flynn. She didn’t like me touching him at all.

“Why would I be with the woman who tricked my girl into leaving me?” Flynn asked incredulously. “Why did you do it? What did you think you were going to get out of it?”