Wicked Ever After (Wicked & Devoted #2) - Shayla Black Page 0,27
at my place, so you can either find us somewhere now or I’ll think of a secluded spot to take you after your last client.”
It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him that he was being an ass, but she had to quell gossip. Otherwise, as soon as people realized she was pregnant, there would be whispers that Cutter might not have fathered the baby after all.
“I’m sorry business didn’t allow us to finish that conversation, and I would have liked to hear more about your ideas, but I’m afraid I’ve found another opportunity that suits me better.”
“We both know it wasn’t business that interrupted our ‘discussion,’ pretty girl.”
Brea felt her face turn bright red. He might as well have announced to everyone that they’d had sex.
Clearly, Pierce wanted to know why she was marrying Cutter. He was determined to get answers today, never mind how much his presence would make her friends and neighbors chin-wag.
Brea didn’t understand why he thought he had a right to demand anything after he’d been the one to break up with her, but if a few words would make him go away, then fine. Maybe she’d give him a piece of her mind, too.
And…okay, some foolish part of her ached to spend a few minutes alone with him.
“Rayleigh, can you finish up Mrs. Gale for me?” Thankfully, the salon owner’s last client of the day had cancelled.
“Sure, honey. No one is in the break room, if y’all want to chat in there.”
“We’ll only be a minute.”
As she turned away, mortification rolled over her. Every eye in the place followed as she led Pierce down the shadowy hall and opened the door on the right. As Rayleigh said, it was empty. The radio in the corner, with its volume turned down low, played a Carrie Underwood tune. The scents of hair dye and chemical cleansers filled the air. The queasiness she thought she’d overcome earlier rushed back.
She crossed her arms over her chest. But Pierce didn’t do subtle. If he wanted to touch her, her silent barrier wouldn’t keep him away. “What do you want?”
“You fucking agreed to marry Bryant?”
“Yes.” She stood her ground. And the more she thought about it, the more she got mad. “Why do you care? You told me in no uncertain terms that you were taking a step back. Then you left my house as if your backside was on fire. Why do you think that entitles you to any explanations?”
“Less than a month ago, you said you were in love with me.”
“Well, at least it took me nearly a whole month to change my mind. It only took you a week.”
He gaped at her. “What? I never said I didn’t love you. I asked you to move in with me, for fuck’s sake. And you decided the right response was to get engaged to a man I know doesn’t do a damn thing for you?”
Was he serious? If he still had feelings for her, why hadn’t she seen or heard from him in nearly two weeks? Did he only want her as a convenience when he was in the mood? For a forbidden thrill when she belonged to someone else? Was that “love” to him?
Maybe they saw relationships so differently that his definition and hers would never align. Now that they were having a baby, she couldn’t be with someone who showed up a couple of times a month and considered that devotion. Regardless of whatever Pierce was after, she could no longer afford to play his game. She had an unborn baby to protect.
“You’re wrong. I love Cutter. I have all my life. We finally decided to make it official. There’s nothing more to say.”
Pierce used the hard slab of his body to propel her against the nearest wall, then slammed his big palms on either side of her head. “Did he take you to bed?”
She gasped at the contact. God, he was so close. His body heat. His scent. His eyes all over her… Everything about him rattled her. Tempted her. “That’s none of your business.”
“Is that what you think?” His black stare drilled down through her eyes like he could see all the way to her soul.
She forced herself to nod.
Every time the man got near her, fire scorched her veins. She went hot all over. Her heart thundered. Even now, Brea couldn’t help arching closer as she panted and ached for his touch.