Misconduct(74)

“They’re not charms,” I shot back. “It’s called an education. And I can’t stay, unfortunately. I have plans this evening, so again, thank you for having me.”

I turned to leave, making it only a few steps before a hand hooked the inside of my elbow and spun me back around.

“Wha—” But my protest was cut off.

Tyler’s mouth covered mine, his hands holding my waist and pressing my body to his.

I squirmed, pushing against his chest even as the taste of him sent tingles down my thighs.

What the hell?

I grabbed his bottom lip between my teeth and bit, feeling him jerk back and break the kiss. But he didn’t let me go.

“Gentlemen” – he spoke to them but looked at me – “would you excuse us, please?”

I heard some amused, low voices as they walked past us, out the door, but I was too embarrassed to look. My face felt flushed, and I wanted to hit him.

They closed the door behind them, and I didn’t wait a second longer.

I slammed his chest, finally getting him to step away. “How dare you demean me like that in front of others!”

“You liked it,” he retorted, turning around to replace the cue on the rack.

“They could tell someone!”

“The one in the tan suit is sleeping with his kids’ nanny. The other one has his secretary keeping track of his mistresses, and the other one was my brother,” he replied. “Most of us are gentlemen – outside of the bedroom anyway,” he added, “and we don’t share each other’s secrets. You wanted me to claim you. So I did.”

I hadn’t wanted him to claim me.

Okay, maybe I had hoped he would’ve said or done something when Blackwell made an advance, but I didn’t want to be treated like his personal piece of ass in front of a group of men.

I crossed my arms over my chest. “You just compared me to their illicit affairs.”

He let out a sigh, dropping into a high-back leather chair. “What got you pissed off – again – that made you want to leave?”

I pressed my lips together and turned around, walking for the door.

“Tessa McAuliffe,” he called out, and I stopped in my tracks.

Spinning around, I glared at him. “I couldn’t care less,” I told him. “And I’m not angry.”

“No, but you’re a hell of a lot of trouble,” he retorted. “I think that’s what I like most about you. You’re worth every second of f*cking frustration you give me.”

He relaxed into the chair, his head resting on the hand he’d laid on the armrest.

I inched closer, swallowing the lump in my throat. “Have you slept with her?”

“Yes.”

I let out a quiet breath. I didn’t like that.

“When was the last time?” I asked.

He kept his eyes on mine and spoke calmly. “A couple months ago.”

I got closer, hating everything I was hearing but unable to stop the conversation. Of course he’d slept with her. She was beautiful and sophisticated, and I was a hot mess.

I cleared my throat, my gaze faltering. “Were you exclusive with her?”

“No.”

I moved my lips, barely getting the words out. “How many are there at one time?”

“Many.”

I felt my chest shake, and I looked away, feeling my eyes burning.

So he didn’t do monogamous relationships. No one kept his attention for long.

But that’s what I wanted, right? I was the same. We were the same.

So why was what he told me so hard to hear?

“Jesus, you’re stupid.”

I shot my eyes up, seeing him shake his head and look down on me like I was pathetic.

He rose from the chair and walked toward me. “You’re young and naive.”

I breathed hard, pinching my eyebrows together and scowling.

“You ask the dumbest questions, and you’re having the tantrum of a child,” he charged. “It bores me.”

I growled low, ready to leave, but he took my face in his hands and spoke hard, his voice and the heat of his breath taking me over.

“Yeah, I’ve had women,” he admitted, baring his teeth. “Lots of women. I’m thirty-five f*cking years old, for Christ’s sake.” He shook my head slightly. “Tessa McAuliffe is a beautiful woman, and we’ve enjoyed each other many times.”

I rammed my palm into his chest, but he didn’t budge. “Many times?” I raged.

He nodded, getting in my face. “Yeah, many times.”

But as I felt my eyes pool with tears, he came closer and grazed my lips with his. “All before you,” he whispered, making my breath stop. “There hasn’t been anyone since you.”

I stayed still, needing to pull away but wanting to stay.

“That’s why you’re stupid.” He grabbed the backs of my thighs and lifted me onto the pool table. “Why the hell would I want her or anyone else when I’ve got this?”

And he pulled up my dress, pulled my panties to the side, exposing my *, and dove down, capturing my clit in his mouth.

My eyes rolled and my head fell back as his hand pushed the top half of my body down to the table.

“Tyler,” I cried out. “You have to stop.”