Sweet Satisfaction

“Slutty dress was a joke. You look beautiful .”

She lowered her eyes. Her fingers worked the corners of the linen napkin. “I’m sorry. I just don’t want you to think I need your money or I’m here for the money .”

“When did I ever say that ?”

“You didn’t, but it’s important to me you know that.” She looked at me, but I saw her eyes trail over my shoulder and widen .

“I don’t care how much money you have, Doc. I want to give you things. Buy you things. Take care of you.” I leaned closer to whisper, but she clearly wasn’t listening. “You are mine, you know .”

“Shit.” She grabbed the menu from the table and held it in front of her face. “Shit, shit, shit,” she grumbled. “This can’t be happening .”

“Okay, what in the hell is going on?” I turned and looked behind me to see a couple walking through the restaurant, following the hostess to a table next to ours .

I tried to wrestle the menu from her hand, but her grip was strong. “Damn it, Lennon. What the fuck is happening ?”

“Lennon?” The couple stopped next to our table as the guy, who was holding the woman’s hand, startled us .

She lowered the menu slowly. “Ben? What a surprise .”

“Yeah, I’d say so.” The guy looked at me and then his date. “I guess the tabloids are true. You’re actually dating this guy .”

Lennon’s eyes narrowed. “Better than the one standing in front of me .”

“That’s not what you said when we were together.” His expression was cocky .

“Whoa, whoa, whoa.” I stood from the table, feeling an instant surge of jealousy and animalistic need to protect Lennon. “Who the fuck are you?” I poked him in the chest .

“Wes, sit down. Don’t make a scene. People have their phones out.” Lennon pulled on my arm .

“No, I want to know who this jackass is .”

His date had shrunk behind him and pulled out her phone .

“This is my ex, Ben. Dr. Ben Lennox .”

“Your ex?” I glared at her .

I don’t know why I was furious, but I was. My blood was on fire. I wanted to punch the guy, pummel him into the ground, beat the shit out of him. And the only reason was because he used to be with Lennon. My Lennon .

“Yeah, she didn’t mention she dated a neurosurgeon before the Neanderthal ?”

That was it. My fist reared back and struck him straight in the jaw .

“Oh my God, Wes!” Lennon’s expression turned from shock to outrage. “What are you thinking ?”

I looked down at the man lying on the floor. His date hovered over him as he sat up, rubbing the swollen spot on his chin .

“I wasn’t.” The rage was still spilling through me .

She grabbed my hand. “We have to get out of here. Come on.” She pulled me out of the restaurant and hailed a taxi. We were back at the hotel within minutes .

Once we were inside the suite, she spun to face me. “Let me see your hand .”

“My hand? It’s fine .”

“Let me see,” she ordered .

I extended my left arm. “I didn’t punch him with my right. I know better than that .”