AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It’s late, Thadeus,” Tenley said. “Knox is asleep and I’m not waking him. ”
“That’s fine. I’m here to talk to you.”
Oh, goodie for her. “What could you and I possibly have to talk about?”
He leaned against the porch post and gave her a quick once-over that made her want to throat punch him. “Did Knox tell you I’ve been married six times?”
She mimicked his posture by leaning against the opposite porch post and offered him the same condescending once-over he’d given her. “No. Knox and I don’t talk ever talk about you.”
The gentle glow of the lights around the pool let her see the reddish tint his complexion took on. The jerk wasn’t used to anyone making him feel unimportant. She was delighted to offer him that experience.
He composed himself quickly, though, and said, “Knox and I both have a type when it comes to women. He’s always gone for beautiful, well-bred women. Wealthy. Well-educated. Like him. My type was always a little…different than that.”
She raised a brow at him. “Ugly, ill-bred, and dim?”
Now he looked like he wanted to throat-chop her. Excellent. “I’ve always appreciated beauty as much as Knox,” he said, nostrils flaring. “Maybe more so. But the rich, educated ones he likes are too high maintenance for me. I prefer women who are hungrier.”
“You like your women to be desperate and needy. Got it. Can I go back inside now?”
He shook his head. “That attitude of yours is something I’d never tolerate in a wife. But other than that, you’re much more my type than Knox’s.”
Now that was truly hilarious. “Oh, buddy, if this is you hitting on me, I need to tell you just how far out of your league you are. There’s not enough money in the world to make me—or any sane woman, really—choose you over Knox.”
He straightened and crossed his arms over his chest. “You misunderstand me. I can spot women who are hungry to overcome their station in life, the one they were born into, a mile away. I’ve married six of them. They’ll do anything to become more than they are. And don’t assume going to a good school—probably on scholarship—makes you immune. The stench of being low-born and desperate is all over you.”
He really didn’t know who he was dealing with if he thought that little speech was going to elicit a visible reaction out of her. She might be low born with more than a passing acquaintance with desperation, but she was the best damn actress this putz had ever seen. Even better than his six wives who, no doubt, faked every orgasm for the duration of their marriages.
Tenley shrugged and covered a big, dramatic yawn with the back of her hand. “Is there a moral to this story? Because if not, your delivery could use a little work. I’m bored.”
He practically hissed at her like an angry possum. “We’ll see how bored you are when Knox leaves you for Rebecca. Because he will, you know. If not her, then someone else, because Knox always screws up when it counts most. Then you’ll be right back to square one where you started—and Knox’s trust will be back where it belongs. With me.”
Aw, it was adorable that he thought she’d ever let him anywhere near that trust, even if Knox did end up with Rebecca or another woman. Just adorable.
Although, the thought of Knox ending up with Rebecca (or anyone other than her, for that matter) made her feel like her heart had been set on fire, so she would not be giving that any additional consideration.
She sighed. “Look, I think we both know you can’t bully me. I’m immune. So, if you don’t have another move in your asshole playbook, I’m going to just go inside and forget this ever happened.”
He was practically vibrating with tension, which was a fairly common reaction from a bully who’d been rendered impotent. “Fine,” he said. “I won’t let Knox get his hands on that trust, so he’ll soon be worthless to you. With that in mind, what’s it going to take to get rid of you, huh? Twenty thousand?”
Tenley laughed out loud at that one. “Really? You think you can buy me off with twenty thousand dollars? My shoe collection is worth more than that.”
He straightened and shoved the sleeves of his sweater up past his forearms. “Fifty. And not a fucking penny more.”
She snorted and turned on her heel to leave this jerkoff. “Good night, Thad.”
She had her hand on the doorknob when he said, “You’re not good enough for him, you know. You never will be.”
Now that was the first thing he’d said in the entire conversation that really gave her pause. “Don’t I know it,” she whispered, closing the door behind her.
Tenley stopped for a brief second to pat Layla on the head before climbing back into bed with Knox. As soon as she settled into her spot and turned away from him, he rolled over, wrapped an arm around her, and yanked her back against him. “What was that all about?” he grumbled sleepily.
“Nothing worth talking about,” she said. “Go back to sleep.”
He was silent for so long she thought he’d drifted off again, but then he said. “You can tell me anything, baby. You know that, right?”
She swallowed hard. “I do.”
He sighed into her hair and mumbled, “OK. I love you.”
