Lie (Betrothed 8)

She crossed her arms over her chest and ignored the drink resting between her fingers. “Why did you let me go?”

I’d expected an answer, not a question. My eyes narrowed in annoyance. “What does it matter? You’re free and clearly enjoying it.”

Her attitude flared. “Again, what’s that supposed to mean?”

I’d been privy to her most personal thoughts when I listened to her pray, when I listened to her confess her sins and ask to be blessed. It seemed wrong to subtly mention it because it was none of my business in the first place. “Just answer me.”

“I don’t owe you anything.”

“I let you go, so I disagree.” My anger started to rise just as it had in the basement. She was so difficult, so resistant; it was impossible to accomplish anything. I’d never met a woman so combative all my life, physically and emotionally.

“Oh, so I owe you now?” Her voice rose an octave, her rage coming out.

“Damn right. And you wouldn’t want me to take you again, right?”

Now both of her eyes were wide as if she couldn’t believe I had the balls to say that to her. She turned to her friend and tapped her on the shoulder. “Hold my drink.” She walked up to me and reached her hand down like she was going to grab me by the balls, just like she had with that other guy.

I backed up instantly. “Alright, alright.”

She flicked her hair dramatically. “That’s what I thought, bitch.”

I’d come to her looking for an answer, but instead, I’d turned her into a raging bull. She bowed her head and pointed her horns at me, ready to stab me in the gut. My intention never landed with this woman because her intense reactions always took the conversation in a different direction. “You were much more pleasant last time I saw you.”

“Because you were being a dick.”

I could walk away at any time, but I continued to stay there, continued to look at her beautiful face, her unblemished skin that was free of scars, unlike mine. When her makeup was done like that, she had the look of an actress or a model. When coupled with her fiery attitude, she could be anything she wanted to be. I’d never encountered a woman like her, who would fight with everything she had, didn’t shy away from a man twice her size, and stood up for herself when people disrespected her…including me.

Tess came to my side and slipped her arm through mine. She couldn’t look more different from Catalina. With short blond hair and fair skin, she was the exact opposite. Tess was pretty, but she didn’t have the brilliance Catalina possessed. “Babe, let’s go.” She claimed me like she was trying to get rid of Catalina. She rose on her tiptoes and kissed me on the neck, as if that would entice me to ignore the woman I was speaking to.

Catalina didn’t look at Tess. “Enjoy your night.” She sheathed her anger once someone else was in our presence and turned away.

“Cat?” I remembered what she’d said when she got out of my truck, what her friends called her.

It was enough to make her look back at me.

“This conversation isn’t over.” I had wondered why Catalina didn’t sell me out to her brother, but it hadn’t consumed me like it did now. After seeing her in the flesh again, I felt my curiosity turn into obsession. I needed this answer, and the more she resisted me, the more I needed to know.

She raised both eyebrows, one hand on her hip as she slightly turned back to me. Whether she realized it or not, she posed. Her hourglass frame was obvious in that skintight dress. Her breasts were small, but they were big for her petite size. Her legs were so lean and toned, runway material. The blue color of her dress went well with the rest of her features, making her impossible to resist. “Yes, it is.”

Two

Catalina

When I woke up that morning, my date was still there.

He took up most of the bed, manspreading in the most obnoxious way. On top of that, he snored.

I had taken me forever to get to sleep.

I woke up and set a fake alarm so he would wake up and get the hell out of my apartment. I’d brought him home because he was hot and confident, but he ended up being selfish in bed. He got off quickly, didn’t care about me, and then went to sleep.

It sucked.

When the alarm went off, the noise made him stir right away.

“Look at the time,” I said sarcastically. “Time to go…” I got out of bed and pulled on my sweatpants. I did my business in the bathroom then walked into the kitchen to make a pot of coffee.

He took his sweet-ass time leaving.