Ryley's Revenge (Gloves Off #2)(73)

“And the same goes for me,” he murmured, voice smooth and deep. “Now, how ‘bout we get down to business?” My heart sped up at the thought and a small smirk splayed across his lips.

“Fine,” I answered, clearing my throat. “I’m sure it’s nothing I can’t handle.”

The deep chuckle in his chest rumbled all the way down to my clit. “Oh, we’ll see about that, sunshine. First, I need to know. What’s the status with you and the douche bag baseball player?”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “I don’t think that’s any of your business.”

“It is now, considering for the next month you’re going to be with me and me only. You’re going to have to get rid of him.”

My eyes went wide. “Are you serious? What am I supposed to tell him?”

Nonchalantly, he shrugged. “I don’t give a shit what you tell him, as long as he knows to stay away from you. If he so much as causes a problem, I’m going to extend the month.”

“Don’t you think this is a bit extreme? Wouldn’t a week suffice?”

His expression grew serious. “You obviously have no idea how far I put my neck on the line for you. I think a month is being very generous.”

After experiencing life in the Dark Side, I knew it was a scary place. Those people wouldn’t think twice about putting a bullet in my head. In fact, I’d say their humanity was long gone . . . just like Camden’s.

“Okay, fine,” I gave in. “A month it is. You don’t expect me to f*ck you do you? That shit’s not going to happen.”

Paxton tilted his head back and roared in laughter. “Oh, Gabby, as much as I’d love to have you spread out for my delight, I would never ask that of you. But if you wanted it, I’d be happy to oblige.”

I scoffed. “Well, that’s not going to happen. When does all of this start?”

“Tomorrow,” he noted, getting to his feet. “I trust you’ll handle everything with your boyfriend today?”

I stared at him in hopes that he’d smile and tell me it was all a joke. Sadly, I didn’t get that. “Yes,” I sighed. “I’ll talk to him.”

He strolled to the door and I followed to make sure the door shut behind him. Paxton opened it wide and stopped. His back was to me, but then he turned around, piercing me with his green eyes. “Good, then we won’t have any problems. If he really wants you, he’ll wait for you.” He stepped closer and circled a strand of my midnight hair through his fingers, his voice dipping lower. “It won’t matter though. I know you won’t go back to him after I get done with you.”

“Sorry to disappoint you, Paxton. That’s not going to happen either,” I said, glaring at him.

“Oh, it wasn’t a wish,” he clarified. “It was a promise. And as you know, I never go back on my word.” Smirking one last time, he winked and disappeared out the door, his footsteps calm and collected as he descended the stairs.

Growling in frustration, I slammed the door and stormed back over to the couch. Fuck him with twelve giant cocks. He didn’t know what the hell he was talking about. I was going to make damn sure that promise was a promise he couldn’t keep. What an arrogant prick.

Closing my eyes, I leaned my head against the couch and sighed. Only one more day of freedom. How was I going to spend it? The answer came with a text.



Bradley: I need to talk to you. Can I come over?



Here we go. If there was ever a time we should split up, it would be now. There was no way he was going to put up with me being with another man for the next month.



Me: Sure. I have lots to tell you too.



And none of it was good.





Acknowledgments



THIS IS TO my family, friends, readers, bloggers, and future readers. Without you, I would be nothing . . . because without you, I wouldn’t have anyone to share my stories with. Thank you for all of your support and I will always and forever be grateful for you. I hope you enjoy the Gloves Off fighters just as much as I do.





About the Author





NEW YORK TIMES and USA Today Bestselling author, L.P. Dover, is a southern belle residing in North Carolina along with her husband and two beautiful girls. Before she even began her literary journey she worked in Periodontics enjoying the wonderment of dental surgeries.

Not only does she love to write, but she loves to play tennis, go on mountain hikes, white water rafting, and you can't forget the passion for singing. Her two number one fans expect a concert each and every night before bedtime and those songs usually consist of Christmas carols.

Aside from being a wife and mother, L.P. Dover has written over nine novels including her Forever Fae series, the Second Chances series, and her standalone novel, Love, Lies, and Deception. Her favorite genre to read is romantic suspense and she also loves writing it. However, if she had to choose a setting to live in it would have to be with her faeries in the Land of the Fae.

L.P. Dover is represented by Marisa Corvisiero of Corvisiero Literary Agency.





OTHER BOOKS BY L.P. DOVER





Forever Fae Series





Second Chances Standalones