“We didn’t really talk about anything,” she says, desire dripping from her voice. “In fact, I don't remember a whole lot of talking once you had my panties around my ankles.”
“Listen, what we did was fun,” I begin to tell her my spiel, while not being able to look her in the eyes. I’m not a complete ass, but I’m still an ass.
"Really? Fun? That’s the angle you’re going with?"
“I warned you that it would be a one fuck and done. That it wouldn't happen again.”
“You’re fucking awful,” she huffs.
“Because I'm truthful? I gave you plenty of warning before we started that it would only happen once, and your clothes still came off. I didn't force you or ever lead you on before that night. You said you were okay. I gave you a chance to walk away so you didn’t get your feelings hurt. You agreed you were only looking for some fun and nothing more before you left.”
“I was hoping that um,” Angela says, looking at me through her lashes and putting on the full pout.
Oh, here we go…
“I was hoping that’s what you wanted to hear.” Her fingers twist in front of her as she sways side to side. For a second, I feel bad for her, but I never led her to believe it was anything more than sex.
“You were hoping you could change my mind? Or that since we were working together it would just end up happening over and over again? That’s not how I work. I don’t commit, and I don’t hide the fact either.”
I’m pretty sure everyone in Tallahassee knows that Liam Morgan doesn’t settle down.
“Is that what all women are to you? Disposable?”
“No,” I say sharply. “I don't think women are disposable. I just have zero interest in any type of commitment, and fucking two times can lead to a third, and after that, they start hearing wedding bells.”
Angela’s hazel eyes darken as her top lip turns up. “Oh, for fuck sakes, who hurt you?”
“No one.” I shrug. “It’s just who I am.”
“Well, fine.” She pushes back her shoulders and tries to make herself look taller. “I quit.”
I shrug. “Good thing your job is disposable.” I don’t know why she thinks I would beg for her to stay, and that would make me want to be with her. Is that her angle? I never had any intentions of getting rid of her, but if she’s going to play games, I’m not playing along.
Her body instantly deflates, and she bares her teeth. “Asshole.” She screams before she goes charging for the door.
“So I’m told. Have a good night Ms. Parsons.”
“You suck.” She flings open the door and then slams it behind her.
Finally, peace and quiet.
I make my way back to the party after another twenty minutes of isolation. I knew if I didn't come back out, I would be hunted down.
Landon is first to spot me, and he puts his arm around my shoulder.
“Hey, there you are. I was wondering how long you were going to hide for.” I smell the bourbon on his breath and cup my mouth to keep myself from gagging.
Thanks for the support, Bro.
My brother and I might be identical in every way physically, besides the length of our beards; mine is coming in a bit heavier while he keeps his clean. It’s our personalities that are night and day.
“How are you holding up?” He slurs slightly and pulls me in tighter. He’s an annoying drunk. Or I’m finding it annoying because I’m not.
“Oh, you know how much I love these things,” I bite out sarcastically.
Landon and I were raised on black-tie affairs. I've always hated them and the attention they bring. Landon, on the other hand, relishes in them. Then again, he is the golden boy.
“Where’s Maria?” Maria is his wife of two years, but they’ve been together since high school, and they are always attached at the hip.
“She's back home. She's not feeling good.” He clears his throat roughly and looks out to the mass of people in the garden. Knowing my twin well enough, I know he’s hiding something, but I’m not in the mood to press him.
“Sorry. It would have been good to see her.”
“She sends her love though.” He pats me on the back. “Hey, isn't that your new designer over there?" He points across the way to where Angela is standing at the bar sipping on some fruity cocktail.
"Yep."
"Why is she giving you such a stink eye?" He chuckles.
I cringe, causing him to frown.
"Fuck, man, you didn’t."
"I did. Only once."
"Yeah, I know how you operate man."
"Sorry, we all can't find Ms. Perfect in high school," I snap bitterly and stare out into the gold and silver strands of twinkling lights hanging from the trees. Mom always overdoes it on the tacky.
"Stop man," Landon growls and shoves my shoulder.
"What?"
"I'm only in town for two weeks, and I'd like to spend the time with you without arguing."
"Who's arguing? Just saying how it is."
Landon pinches his brow. "I thought you said you wouldn't sleep with employees?"
"Oops?" I shrug, not giving a shit at this point.
"Oops?" My father's voice booms from behind me, and I curse under my breath. "You two. In my office. Now."
Both of us march to his office like scolded teenagers. I sink into one of the leatherback chairs, making myself comfortable, or trying to, for the verbal lashing my father is going to try to pass off.
"Jesus, Liam." My father
