LAKE
“Hey. Are you okay?”
Maverick was surprised at me joining her in the powder room. “What are you doing here, Winston?”
“Don’t worry. I’m sure Mom has so many ideas about what a married couple would be doing in the powder room, but are you okay? You look-”
“Like a mess?”
“You’re of many things but a mess.”
I watched her apply lipstick on her lips, and she saw me.
“Creepy.”
“Are you really okay? Did Mom say something that upset you?”
“No.” She washed her hands and patted them dry.
“What did you two talk about?”
“I’m sure she will tell you if you ask.” The tension in her body said otherwise.
“Something’s bothering you. What is it?” I cupped her head, forcing her to look at me as my eyes searched hers. “I don’t know how to read mind, but I know when someone hides something from me. I’m your husband, Maverick. I need to know.”
“And so far, you’re doing a bang-up job as a husband.” She pulled my hands off her head. “We have to get out of here before she thinks we’re doing something mysterious.”
“Like pressed you against this wall?” I raised a brow slightly.
She blinked in surprise. “Not funny.”
“Hey.” I held her wrist. “Maverick.”
“I’m not going to tell you what we talked about. It’s between me and your mother, Lake. Stop pressing.”
“I know, and I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“For being so hard on you.”
“You mean for being so hard and leaving me after that?” Was she still talking about what happened in her apartment? “All I could think was that maybe I had a bad breath, a bad kisser, but judging by your bulge that night, I could still turn you on. What went wrong, I don’t know. You’re not even monogamous. Why is it the issue then?”
Jesus, she was the most infuriating woman I’d ever met, but I liked her this way.
“For fuck’s sake, leave it alone.” My temper flared, and I drew a deep breath.
“No.” Her green eyes locked on me. “I want to know what your issue is with me, Lake?”
“You wanna know what’s your issue?” I glared at her. My head pinged with a thousand words to say, but I didn’t know if it would be right while it was just the two of us in this room.
“Yes.”
“You never break the rules,” I started sternly, a hint of frustration coloring my tone. “You’re a good fucking citizen, a perfect granddaughter. I bet you’ve never been issued a parking ticket. And it would help if you didn’t break any rules for me or because of me. Do you remember your written demands? Because I do.”
She swallowed hard, dropping her gaze. “Those weren’t rules. And I wrote that because I thought you were your father, and then you showed up. It’s up to you if you want to hold onto them. Is my list attached to the contract or something?”
Right. I should consult my lawyers. Ideas lit in my head.”Forget about it, Maverick.”
“Then go ahead. Maybe somebody can help.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” My anger was rising, not to mention my discomfort of having blue balls.
“Do you think I’m the only one driving someone crazy here?” Now we were talking. “You left me- agh! Since when did you turn to saint?”
“Since I met you.”
She stared at me in silence, closing her gaping mouth.
“I don’t know. I felt like shit every time I thought of getting laid.” I swallowed down the guilt blocking my throat.
Then she began chewing her bottom lip, making me inwardly groan and shake off the thoughts in my head.
“Don’t do that.”
“Do what?” She blinked an innocent look.
“Let’s get out of here before Mom knocks on the door.” I leaned down and kissed her on the lips. “I meant what I said, Maverick.”
***
Monday came, and the growing sexual tension between us hadn’t crackled down. One move from one of us could blow into flames.
“I’m asking about her demands. It wasn’t written in the agreement, so it’s more likely a matter of mutual understanding and respect, isn’t it? I just want to make sure she doesn’t lose her money.”
“You’re right, and even if any of you will break the agreement, it’s still up to you to decide whether she should receive the full payment or not. And it depends on the situation and how badly it affects your reputation, Mr. Winston. That’s all your legal team cares.”
“Right.”
“I suggest you should talk to the other party about this. If both agree and none of you will be harmed, then the contract is still valid.”
“Thank you, Atty. Milus.”
“No problem.”
“Yes!” I grinned like an idiot in my office as I called my assistant, Venus.
“You look like you just won the jackpot, Mr. Winston.” Venus came, grinning widely.
“I need these things delivered to this address.”
She grabbed the paper and read through the list. “What for? If I may ask.”
“Just do it. Will it be available on Thursday?”
“Of course. Anything else?”
“Flowers. Two dozen of white- wait. Aside from roses, what flowers a few women like?”
“Few?” She arched a brow humorously.
“Yeah.”
Venus had a funny look on her face. “All right, lover boy. If it’s a romantic gesture, there should be roses, but I’ll take care of the rest. Where should I send this?”
“I’ll take it to her. I want a tennis bracelet.”
“All right. I’ll go shop it personally.”
“Thanks.”
“With that viral video online, aren’t you going to comment on that? People on social media know how to connect dots, Lake. The video is posted by a friend of the woman you’ve been sleeping with. Have you seen your personal account? They’re roasting you. I’m surprised you’re this calm.”
“I’m too busy to give that video a second of my time. And I’m happy.”
“The video might be gone, but what about that poor woman?” Her words stiffened me. She was right. Nowadays, you have to stand up for yourself on social media and explain yourself because they have the right to freedom of speech. Sometimes it sucked.
“Fine.”
“And the girl. The flowers are for her, right?” When I did not reply, Venus smiled. “Finally. I’m happy for you, Lake.”
“Thanks, Ve.”
I came home to a very silent penthouse. I also overlooked her car park at my private parking space.
I went to her room. She wasn’t there. I looked at the flowers in my hand. I had no choice but to put them on her bed. Maybe she would see them later and like them.
I went to my office downstairs and texted her.
LAKE: I’m home. Where are you?
I waited for her reply, but like always, I received nothing. Then my phone rang. I was surprised that she called.
“Winston?” There was a loud noise in the background. Was she still at the Bazz?
“Hey. I thought you’d be home early.”
“Yeah. I was off work two hours ago, but it’s Cooper’s birthday.”
“Right.” The fucking blond who had feelings for her. Just fucking great.
“Do you want me to come home?”
“It’s fine. Enjoy the party.” A pain settled in my chest. I thought I would surprise her, but she seemed to surprise me instead.
I hung up and started working on the laptop when it rang again. I put it on silent mode.
I felt so stupid. I shook my head in annoyance.
A few minutes later, I heard a knock. It was impossible to be her.
“Come in.”
Owen emerged. “Hey. Your wife just called to check up to see if you’re okay. She said you’re not picking up her call.”
“As you can see I’m busy. Is she drunk?” I kept my eyes on the laptop.
“She sounds okay. Is everything all right?”
“Yeah. She’s at the party.” I fought back my anger of being irrationally jealous.
“Oh, I see. You’re not invited.”
“It’s her friend’s birthday, and not my friend.”
“Okay. Let me know if you need anything.”
“We’re going to the Bazz. Ready the car.” I shut the laptop down and saw the hesitation in his eyes.
“Are you sure it’s a good idea?”
“Yeah.” Definitely.
The Bazz was full, almost as if it were a club with loud music. I instantly saw her stand out in the crowd while Cooper had his arm wrapped around her.
Heat blasted into my bloodstream, constricting my chest with unfounded jealousy. The feeling was foreign and excruciatingly uncomfortable. Before I could realize what I was doing, I was rushing through the crowds, grabbing my wife around her wrist.
She yelped at first, pulling her wrist away. The second she saw me, her eyes lit up as if she was ecstatic to see me. She wasn’t nearly drunk. She might not have even drunk.
I knew she was responsible, but it didn’t change the fact that she let a man’s arm around her, and I didn’t know what else they did before I arrived.
“Hey. What are you doing here?” she asked breathlessly, eyes lighting up.
“Hey. Mr. Winston.” Cooper called my name, but I ignored him. My sole focus was on the woman who was supposed to be in my arms instead of his. “Get a drink, Mr. Winston. It’s my birthday, my treat.”
“I don’t give a fuck.” I pulled Maverick out of their crowd as jealousy seared me inside. “Let’s go home.”
“Why are you so rude?” She tried to tear her wrist free, but it was tight enough that it might bruise her.
“What the fuck did you say to me?” I grunted.
“You’re rude. You could have declined nicely. Instead, you have to say the F word to my friend.” She glared at me, now eyes blazing, matching mine.
“Your friend wants to fuck you.”
“At least he does. What about my husband?” She clamped her mouth shut as if shocked by her words.
“You have no idea what you’re talking about here, Maverick. And don’t play the fucking games with me.”
“Is everything okay?” Cooper didn’t just get it. “Mave, are you okay?”
“Back the fuck off.” I gave him another warning.
Owen came, interrupting the tension. He’d been watching us like a hawk and could read body language. “Mr. Winston, the car is ready.”
“I’m not going with you.” Of course, Maverick refused and disobeyed me again, making me vehemently furious as fuck.
“You’re coming with me.” I gritted my words out, telling her she didn’t have a choice.
“Mrs. Winston, please?” Owen came in between us.
I let her hand go when Owen gave me the look that we started to get people’s attention.
“Okay.” Her eyes softened as she faced Cooper and kissed him on the cheek, fueling the rage inside me. “Happy birthday, Coop. See you tomorrow.”