Page 22 of The Substitute
“You deserve to be treated better than what you’ve gotten from me this week, and I have no excuse for the way I behaved, other than the simple fact that I was jealous.”
“Yeah, I got that much.”
My lips twitch. Christ, I’ve missed her smart mouth.
“I did not mean to insinuate, in any fashion, that you are easy or, for fuck’s sake, a whore.”
“You made me feel like one.”
The anger is back in those amazing eyes as she glares at me, and I have to swallow hard.
“I’m not proud of how I behaved or the things I said, and I hope you will accept my apology.”
“Why?”
I shake my head. “What do you mean, why?”
“Why are you apologizing now? Are you feeling horny and hoping I’ll pull my skirt up for you again?”
I narrow my eyes on her and feel my jaw clench with pure anger. “Don’t you ever speak about yourself that way again, do you understand me?”
She firms her chin. “The question stands.”
I want to paddle her bottom, and then I want to fuck her into submission.
“I’m simply sorry for ever hurting your feelings. And for acting like a complete knob. I didn’t handle anything well, and I’m embarrassed for it.”
That seems to soften her. When she speaks again, the anger is gone from her voice. “Why didn’t you just say all of this on Tuesday? Why did we have to go through a whole week of being completely uncomfortable? I probably gained ten pounds because I eat candy when I’m upset.”
That explains all the sweets this week.
“You look bloody gorgeous, as always.”
She shrugs. “So? Why did you wait all week?”
“Because I’m a stubborn arse.”
“Yeah, that I know, too. There will be no more sex.” She swallows hard after that announcement. “But we can go back to being…I don’t know. Friendly, I guess.”
“I can deal with that.” It’s going to fucking drive me crazy seeing her every day and not being able to touch her, but I respect the boundary. I’m just relieved she won’t be pissed off every day anymore.
I can keep my hands to myself for two more weeks.
Probably.
Chapter Six
Maya
“Is he still being an asshat?” Stella asks as she passes me my coffee and takes hers from the barista. “He didn’t look like a jerk to me when I picked you up for lunch. He’s pretty sexy, and that accent is…wow.”
“He finally apologized,” I reply as I sit in a seat by the window and shimmy out of my jacket. “Despite that, I was so ready to get out of there for the weekend. I need some time away from him, you know?”
“Sure, sure, makes sense.”
“You still haven’t said anything to Gray, right?”
Stella smirks. “Hell, no. If I did, he’d show up there and kick Derek’s ass.”