French Wanker - Victoria Pinder Page 0,36
you have to do with this?”
Quentin’s voice was cool but sharp as his words landed in my soul. “Kara is mine now, and I won’t let anyone insult her.”
If only that were true.
I tapped his arm and sidestepped him. “Quentin, it’s fine. Let’s enjoy our day. He can leave.”
Quentin shifted. “Is that true, Marlon? Are you leaving?”
For a moment I feared they’d break out into a fight, but Marlon took a step back. “I’ll be around.”
I couldn’t get Quentin to move until Marlon was on the bottom step. Then he joined me and said, “If he comes back, let me handle him. He’s clearly not over you.”
No one had ever tried to protect me like that. I mean, my dad when I was a little girl watched out for me, but no one ever fought for me like this. The adrenaline was still running in my veins as I said, “He humiliated me at home. That will never go away. Even if we are only a week, he taught me that I need to protect myself.”
The humiliation he’d showed to everyone I ever met.
Seriously, I was a walking disaster who needed time to clean up her life.
Quentin stilled. “You don’t have to go back right away. You’re welcome to stay with me until you’re ready.”
That delayed the inevitable, but we both knew we weren’t forever.
My skin still had sweat on it, and this wasn’t what we wanted in our lives. I sighed. “I am tired of making life-long decisions. Let’s just enjoy the party.”
We walked through the rest of the gambling palace with crystal chandeliers and bright sconces illuminating the cream walls to the palace ballroom.
I didn’t understand the sign, but I saw his friends. We grabbed flutes of champagne, and Simon and Bridget joined us.
“What was going on out there?” Simon asked.
Quentin held me beside him. “Kara’s ex wants her back.”
Bridget said, “Shouting isn’t the way to win a woman’s affection.”
I clinked glasses with her and nodded. “Seriously. I didn’t invite him here.”
Bridget laughed with me and, for a moment, it was like I had a new friend.
As we finished our drinks, I grabbed Quentin’s hand before he brooded too much over that half-done proposal. “I like your friends, Quentin. Let’s dance.”
He guided me toward the dance floor and asked, “Are you upset we took longer here than seeing more of Italy?”
I glanced at his handsome profile and wished I was able to just forget everything in my life and believe we might fall in love. Quentin was the best man I’d ever met and probably ever would.
I’d made too many mistakes to believe there’d be more for us though. He’d marry, and I’d straighten myself out.
I swallowed back the ice in my spine and said, “It’s fine. I get to be with you today.”
His arms were around me again and all was right. I closed my eyes and followed his lead.
If I could bottle up the warm feeling inside me that I had right now, I’d have a lifetime of happiness beside Quentin.
I needed to remember Quentin as my slightly brooding, attractive, and strong boyfriend who checked off every dream quality I ever had.
As the song ended, Bridget and Simon pointed to the door after Simon checked his phone. Bridget said, “Sorry to interrupt.”
They motioned for us to join, and they set a brisk pace toward the door. “What’s going on?”
We jogged with them as Simon said, “Someone is harassing Calliope.”
Quentin held my hand as we exited the ballroom, but I as glanced over the balcony at the gambling hall below, I stopped near the stairs, and my heart raced. “Is that Marlon?”
Quentin had a quizzical gaze. “With Calliope and her husband?”
My face was hot.
Marlon threw his hands in the air to punch Nigel.
I’d brought this disaster into their lives.
Nigel knocked him back with knuckles to his chin, knocking him over.
I cringed. If he hadn’t followed me, Quentin’s friends would be fine.
My body tensed. This was all my fault.
Simon led the charge toward the stairs so we could join them. “Damn I didn’t know Nigel had that in him.”
I didn’t realize how weak Marlon was, but I steeled my shoulders. I’d fix this.
Quentin nodded. “The police will arrest him. There is certain behavior expected in a casino.”
Marlon jerked up and pushed out, almost knocking Nigel over, but Calliope lunged with her leg and kicked him back down. Bridget suppressed a shocked giggle. “Yoga teacher for the win.”
When we made it to the stairs, I pressed my hand to