Chapter 24 Chapter 24 Dexter For the first time since she barged into my house , Im shaken .
Im not used to second guessing .
Would it have killed me to think before I charged into her store and roped granny into helping me toy with her granddaughters emotions ? Would I have died if I thought this through first , rather than flailing around to put out this fire I caused like the clumsiest asshole ever born ? A low , rough growl slips out of me as I lean my back into the wall next to her .
Then a tiny seed of hope blooms in my chest .
Maybe the whole reason she came here wasnt to curse me out after all and remind me what pond scum I am She cant be considering joining me in this insanity … Can she ? Im not done looking through your closets for skeletons , mister , she whispers , suddenly turning to face me .
A lock of that brilliant red hair falls from her messy bun and she tucks it behind her ear .
Damn .
If I hadnt already emotionally traumatized this woman , I might double down on stupid .
I might just grab her face with both hands , press her into the wall , and drink my fill of Juniper Winkley until Ive stolen every last breath from her lungs … and if you give me any reason to walk away now even one I promise you I will .
Shes still talking and Ive been tuned out .
And I still have that check in my hand , but the blood roaring in my ears feels like too much to think about that right now .
This is it .
-Shes ready to cave and take a baby leap of faith .
And all it took was some hideous emotional blackmail and a payday promise with a lot of zeros .
Shit .
Somehow , I dont think Im buying her cooperation .
Im securing my own seat in the darkest part of hell that has no view the next worse thing after blowing a multimillion dollar deal for my entire family .
I stalk back to the kitchen and slap the check down on the kitchen island , half expecting her to follow me and snatch it again .
When I look up , shes watching me as I rip it to shreds , then quickly scrawl out a new one .
Rory ? What are you doing ? She eyes it but doesnt move .
Her nose wrinkles and she glances at my clothes once again .
Rory ! she calls again .
I say nothing .
Dude , you stink , she says dispassionately .
If you want to talk business , go change .
I can wait while you shower .
That does it .
I flash her my dirtiest look .
Goddamn , this woman will be the death of me .
I wasnt expecting visitors who make me feel like shit , I remind her , trying not to snap her head off .
If theres even the smallest chance shell go along with this , I cant afford to alienate her .
Not again .
She sniffs and heads into the lounge .
Change first .
Thats my condition .
Then Ill consider talking to you about the rest .
Whatever .
Ill be right back .
Dont bother making yourself at home .
She rolls her eyes at me and I head upstairs , leaving the new check on the counter for her to see when shes ready .
I try to remind myself not to get too 16:43 Love Betrayed : A Journey of Separate ataS 26.4 % Chapter 24 excited .
This shit is an anti celebration .
Somehow , Im paying more money to torture myself with a fake engagement to a woman I cant stand .
Regardless , I cant afford to take any chances when were this close .
I have one job tonight and its persuading the goddess of war invading my house that this is her best option .
Not hard , in theory , but shes one of the most stubborn people Ive ever met .
She knows its money she cant afford to lose , but if I even breathe wrong , shell walk away out of sheer spite .
I step into the shower , letting the hot water cascade over me .
Frankly , Ive never come across anyone like her , and it annoys me to no end .

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She even brought the check back , though I cant fathom why .
Is she stupid ? Trying to make herself look good ? Hell , part of me half expected her to cash it and run , but here she is .
And here I am , adding more to her sugar bowl , sweetening the deal with money and terrible puns Ill pay dearly for later on .
Soon , I exit the shower with a hard on I cant stand , hating that I give a damn what she thinks about anything .
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