Cherry Lover (Cherry 2)

Surprisingly enough, he still stayed at the penthouse with me. He could return to his place whenever he wanted, but he stuck around. Maybe he was trying to prove to me he wasn’t having Monroe over in the middle of the night or going to her place.

That didn’t sound like something Monroe would do, so I wasn’t worried about it.

On Thursday night, he came downstairs dressed like he was ready to go out. He was in a gray V-neck with a black blazer on top. He wore his fitted jeans and black boots. His Omega watch was on his wrist and his wedding ring forgotten.

I stared at him without speaking, still refusing to talk to him.

“I’m going out tonight. Thought it was time to get back on the horse.”

“Is Monroe the horse?” I hissed.

He brushed off the insult. “No. I’m not sure who the horse is yet.”

“Just hope it’s not an actual horse.”

The corner of his mouth rose in a smile. “There’s still no sign of Simone and I’m not legally divorced yet, but I thought it was time to move on with my life. So Monroe and I are going out to try our luck at a bar.”

My neck cracked because I turned my head in his direction so quickly. “What?”

“I’m Monroe’s wingman, and she’s my wing woman.”

Now I was pissed off all over again, and Coen wasn’t even trying to fuck her. “Are you serious?”

“Yes. We both agreed it was time to get on with our lives.”

“So, let me get this straight.” I rose to my feet. “You’re taking my woman out so a bunch of jackasses can hit on her?”

“She’s not your woman, man. Get over it.”

My eyes narrowed. “It’s still fucked up. You’re taking my ex out so she can meet a bunch of guys while I’m miserable over here? Shouldn’t you be taking me out?”

“Do you want to go out?” he asked, his eyebrow raised.

Actually, no. The last thing I wanted to do was go out and fuck pussy. I hadn’t gotten hard once over these past few weeks. Why would I want to fuck someone when I could barely sleep? “No.”

“Then why can’t I go out with her? She’s my friend.”

“I’m your brother. You really don’t see how this is a violation of decency?”

“So I can’t have any contact with her?” he asked incredulously. “I asked your permission to ask her out, which you failed to give. I respected your wishes. Now, I’m only her friend and nothing more. But yet, I’m still doing something wrong.”

“I don’t want her going out to bars and picking up guys. There’s nothing but assholes out there.”

“Well, you dumped her, so it’s really none of your business.” He straightened his watch and stepped back. “We’re going to the Oak Room if you want to join us. If not, have a good night.” He headed to the elevator and hit the button.

I couldn’t believe this was happening. Imagining Monroe getting hit on by every guy in New York made me want to rip out my own throat. She would look beautiful in a black dress with heels, and she could have any guy she wanted. Last time she went to a bar, she picked up one of the richest and most eligible bachelors in the country.

Who would she pick up this time?

16

Monroe

My heart was beating a million miles a minute. I wore a backless black dress, something Slate bought for me, so I felt awkward wearing it to meet someone new. But I had nothing else to wear for the time being.

Coen looked handsome in his blazer and V-neck, and right off the bat, all the women in the bar were looking at him. I couldn’t blame them, not when he looked so similar to his older brother. They had the same beautiful masculinity, with broad shoulders and powerful jawlines. Their bodies were flanked with muscles, and their eyes steamed like hot coffee in the morning. It was ironic that they looked so similar but I wasn’t attracted to Coen at all. “What did Slate say when you told him we were doing this?”

Coen shrugged. “He was upset, but not enough to actually stop it.”

This was my last attempt to make him chase me, and it failed. It was officially over. If none of this made Slate come to his senses, then nothing would. Tonight was the first night of the rest of my life.

“Don’t think about him.” Coen held his Old Fashioned in his hand. “You’re the sexiest chick in this bar, and you can have any guy you want. If Slate doesn’t want you, that’s his loss. Forget about him.”

“You take my side a lot even though he’s your brother.”

“I love him, and I’ll have his back forever. But he’s a complete douchebag. You deserve better.”

“Well…thanks.” I clinked my glass against his.