CHAPTER 29: Adrian
750 Words
CHAPTER 29: Adrian
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Adrian was not letting Ellie go to her apartment alone with that ape of a boyfriend there. The guy had been itching for a fight last night and he wouldn’t be in a better mood today, especially since Ellie had stayed out all night. If she were his woman, he’d want to kill the guy who’d taken her home.
“No, I’m sure he hasn’t moved yet, but I’ll be fine. I’m not afraid of Marc,” said Ellie.
“I don’t care. I’m going to escort you to your apartment and stay until you leave for your parents’ house.” He moved over to her side. “Don’t give me that look.”
“What look?”
“That you’re so sweet but you’re an i***t look.”
She laughed. “Sorry but—”
“I don’t want to hear any excuses. I’ve seen that look from my sisters too many times to count and I’m almost always right and they were the idiots.”
“Almost, but not always.”
“Enough to know, I know best.” He swore sparks shot from her eyes. He had no idea how those words had come out of his mouth. He knew better than to say that to a woman, but his brain didn’t work around her, probably because most of his blood was surging to his c**k.
“I’ll be fine.” She turned and headed toward the building, dismissing him.
He followed. He didn’t take orders from her, especially when he did know best.
She stopped, her eyes narrowing at him for a second and then her face softened. “I appreciate the gesture, but do you really think you coming upstairs with me is going to make things better with Marc?”
“It’ll keep you safe and that’s all that matters.” Plus, he might get an early Christmas present and get to kick the s**t out of the guy.
“He won’t hit me. That’s not his style.”
“Good. I’m glad I don’t have to kill him but he doesn’t need to talk to you like he did last night either.”
Her face heated. “Yes, you’re right but you coming upstairs will make it worse. Plus, he’s probably not even home.” She stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. “I’ll be fine. I promise.”
He could follow her and piss her off even more, but she truly didn’t seem worried about her ex. She’d been more concerned about being late to see her parents. He pulled his phone from his pocket. “What’s your number?”
“Why do you want my number?”
He gritted his teeth. Usually after a night with him the women wanted him to call them. “So, I can text you and make sure everything is all right.”
“That’s not necessary.”
“It is if you want to go up there without me.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m not budging on this. Those are your options.”
Her eyes narrowed and her lips thinned. He was pretty sure she was searching for a weakness, but she wouldn’t find one. He was a master at battling women.
“Fine.” She gave him her number and he put it into his phone.
He texted her and her phone beeped.
“You’re testing me?” She stared at him incredulously.
“You’ve lied to me before.”
“I did not lie.”
“Not this time.”
“Not last time either.” She walked toward her building.
“You didn’t answer my question.”
She stopped, looking at him over her shoulder. “What question?”
He waved his phone at her.
She glanced down at her message. “Why do you need to know my apartment number?”
“If you don’t answer my text, I’m coming up. I mean it.”
“Oh, my god.” She texted him the number. “I’ll be fine. Marc isn’t violent.”
“Men do crazy things when their women stay out all night.”
“I’m not his woman. He cheated on me, remember? He’s moved on.”
“Just because he cheated doesn’t mean he wanted to break up and he’s definitely not going to like knowing you’ve already found someone else.”
“That’s exactly why you can’t come upstairs with me. He’ll never know for sure what happened last night after we left the club as long as you stay here.” She gave him that superior look common to all women when they thought they’d won an argument.
“He’ll know.”
“Because I didn’t come home? I could’ve stayed at a hotel. Alone. Or maybe I went to my friend Alison’s house.” That look became even more smug.
“That hickey on your neck tells a different story.” He braced himself for the attack. Once they got out of junior high, females didn’t like being branded like that—ever. He usually didn’t do it because of that but with Ellie he’d wanted that asshole to know she was his. Hell, he wouldn’t mind everyone knowing.
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