Be a Doll(82)

“If you’re sure,’’ she said skeptically and started eating again as if the discussion was closed and she didn’t really care, but I saw through her front. She didn’t push me knowing full well that it was the best if she didn’t want to make me run in the opposite direction. No, her sight was set and nothing I could say would change her mind and honestly, I didn’t see myself telling her how the sex was out of this world and that the fire I saw in Lila made me burn hotter than I ever thought possible. I didn’t see myself telling her that my wife confused me so much that she rattled my whole well-built world until I second-guessed everything I had ever done and acquired since Max passed away.

So I did the only thing left to do. I grabbed my fork and knife and ate my now cold salmon and the asparagus risotto accompanying it.





LILA


Where are you?



I glared at the text message on my phone and didn’t touch the screen until it went back to black. I didn’t want to answer him. It was still early and he was probably at work so I didn’t understand why he wanted to know where I was all of a sudden. Next thing he’d ask what I was doing too, not because he cared, but because it made himself feel in control again, something he probably had a hard time with since last night and how he broke down. I wouldn’t play into his game and let him use me for his sick need of control. It went beyond my role as his hired wife. I had to remember where my place was if I didn’t want to make things more difficult for me.

Instead, I went back to my Kindle and took another sip of hot chocolate, sighing when the heat spread through me. I had had no idea how sweet and comforting it was to drink hot chocolate when bundled inside a cozy coffee shop and reading a good and steamy book.

A few pages later, my phone buzzed on the table, the screen coming back to life to announce another text message from my husband. I eyed the phone and pondered what I should do; finish that incredibly sexy chapter or read the text. Usually, the book would have won, but the draw I felt whenever Mathis was concerned only made it that much harder to hold off and keep both of my hands on my Kindle.

Rolling my eyes at my own stupidity and lack of self-control, I reached for my iPhone and opened the text with a frown so pronounced I was sure it’d leave pre-mature wrinkles on my forehead and between my brows.



You don’t want to test me. Not today.



Did he really think that made me want to answer him? Actually, the sad part was I wanted to answer him, not because he scared me and I was afraid he’d hurt me, physically speaking, but because he drove me positively insane. I couldn’t just ignore that man or say nothing to his provocation. It had been that way from the very first time I had met him and it didn’t look like it’d ever change.



Am I questioning you regarding your job? Stop texting me unless it’s important.



His answer came but a few seconds later without surprise. I still had my phone in my hand, my Kindle forgotten on the small table I was sitting at and my hot chocolate getting cold fast.



I think you’re the one constantly playing with me, driving me crazy until I can’t stand it.



I frowned at the screen, unsure of what type of answer he expected from me. I wasn’t playing, but I was stuck in his life where when he pushed, I pushed back as hard if not harder than he did. He was the one toying with me and right now I bet the game was switching, changing just a little bit, but enough to throw him for a loop and send me into my usual default setting; self-protection by shielding myself.



Look up, little wife.



My frown disappeared at that new text and my spine straightened at once until I was sitting ramrod straight in the chair matching no other in the small coffee shop. The hair at the back of neck stood straight and dreadfully, I looked up.

Sure enough, on the other side of the partially fogged up bay window stood Mathis holding his phone in one hand while his other one was hidden inside the pocket of his black coat. Upon staring at him you wouldn’t believe that the cold front outside had any effect on him when every other person walking by were shivering in their thick coats and scarves. Mathis only stood proudly on the sidewalk, his dark eyes boring into my wide eyes. I bet the cold didn’t bother him because of his affection for cold behavior. He could easily chill a room with only a well-placed frown and glare.

I rummaged through my purse to get my wallet, put down a few bills to cover the hot chocolate and a nice tip and threw my Kindle in my purse and pocketed my phone in my coat as I stood up. And still, Mathis didn’t move one inch. He kept on staring at me, unyielding and serious, his cheeks just a tiny bit pinker than usual from the cold. So, in the end, cold truly affected him.

Without so much as a polite parting word with the waitress who bid me goodbye, I left my temporary sanctuary and walked to my husband who finally moved to make sure he’d face me instead of the coffee shop I just exited.

“Is there a tracking app on my phone?’’ I asked as soon as I was close enough to speak to him without yelling. I stopped then and buttoned my coat without looking if I did it right, because in all honesty I didn’t care. For once, I didn’t care of what I looked like or what other people would think upon seeing me. All of my attention was fixed onto that impossible man I often wanted to strangle.

“No.’’