Sugar

“She doesn’t know what she wants right now.”

“You don’t know what she wants!” I snapped. “Let me guess. She tried telling you today, and you couldn’t handle it. Maybe just a little more money or a bigger apartment and you could buy a few more contented smiles. She’s not your fucking employee, and she’s not your fucking property. She’s a human being!”

“I know exactly who she is! You’re the one who’s falling for the act. You don’t know what she came from—”

“Because I don’t care! None of that matters to me. But we all know it matters to you. You love the fact that she moved here with hardly any life experience. How else would you have taken advantage of her and convinced her this was her best option?”

“She’s never had to struggle because of me.”

“Stop acting like you gave her something! You made her dependent on you for survival, and now that she wants to try to live on her own, you’re losing your fucking mind!”

Too far. His complexion darkened as my words hit the bulls-eye.

I closed my hands into fists, just in case, not wanting another fight but also refusing to back down or take my accusation back. It was spot on, and he fucking knew it. “You gonna hit me now? That’ll win her over.”

“I should—”

“It’s not going to change how I feel about her. You can beat me to a pulp, and I’d still stand up for her because that’s what a real man does. He doesn’t take advantage. He takes control. He lets his woman know that even when she can’t take care of herself, her needs will be met. Well, I’m the self-appointed gatekeeper of all things Avery Johansson from here on out. I’m meeting her needs just fine, and she no longer needs you, so feel free to turn in your badge on the way out the door.”

He sneered and pivoted away. My muscles slowly unclenched as his anger appeared to fade. Thank God. I wasn’t a pussy, but the guy had some sort of jujitsu background I couldn’t outmaneuver.

He paced to the other end of the hall and rubbed a hand over his dark, bald head. “I never wanted to manipulate her or take advantage of her. I care about her.”

“Then let her go. Let her finish out the semester in her apartment and give her your blessing to finally start her life as planned. For God’s sake, man, let her be happy.”

His eyes narrowed. “And you think you can make her happy?”

“I know I can, but we need you out of the picture.”

His nostrils flared as he continued to glare. “I’d never leave her homeless.”

“Does she know that?” There was a reason she feared ending things with this man.

He sighed and rubbed two long fingers to the center of his forehead. “I just need to know that you aren’t messing with her. I feel … responsible for her.”

“She’s not your job. You were hers.”

I didn’t care if he was only looking out for her. Avery wasn’t his concern anymore. She was mine, and I intended to see to all her needs.

He dropped his hands to his side and glared at me. “I don’t like you.”

“Feeling’s mutual.”

The tension dissipated, the climate of the room noticeably shifting. I waited him out. Eventually, he’d admit defeat and leave.

There was a knock at the door, and I opened it, finding Lucy fidgeting on the other side. “What’s up?”

She peeked around my side and whispered. “Is everything all right? I can call the police if—”

“Everything’s fine.”

She looked up at me with big eyes. “You’re sure.”

“Positive.”

“Miss?”

We both turned to face Micah. Neither of us spoke.

“I owe you an apology.”

Lucy’s chin lifted. “You owe our receptionist one as well.”

The side of his mouth quirked and I frowned. Micah didn’t strike me as a man who smiled often.

“I’ll be sure to stop by her desk on the way out.”

“And mine?”

“Pardon?”

“You said you owe me an apology, but I haven't heard one yet.”

This time he fully smiled. “How about I take you to dinner and make it up to you?”

I rolled my eyes.

“I bet some women find you charming.”

My head whipped around. “What? Lucy, don’t fall for his bullshit.”

“Easy, Noah.” She pressed a hand on my sleeve but kept her eyes on the other man. “Bad manners aren’t rewarded where I come from. But I’ll take the apology when you’re ready.”

With that, she twisted on the heel of her sensible shoe and left the room. I hid a smirk and turned in time to see Micah staring after her in shock.

His expression snapped into a grimace when he recalled I was watching. “What are you staring at?”

“Just savoring your rejection.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “I think we’re done here.”

His glare intensified and he took a threatening step forward. “You hurt her, and I’ll know.”