What He Never Knew (What He Doesn't Know, #3)(71)

As if the mindless conversation and completely overpriced dinner hadn’t been bad enough, she’d practically molested me under the table, making her intentions very clear. I didn’t know what made me more uncomfortable — the stuffy suit I was in, the stuffy restaurant I’d had to endure for two hours, or the stuffy woman who couldn’t keep her hands to herself.

When I pulled up to her house, I realized the worst was yet to come.

“Well, this is me,” she breathed, glancing at her beautiful, luxurious home that was entirely too much for one woman before turning back to me. Her eyes were lazy from the wine, red lipstick smudged a little at the edges as her lips curled into a wicked smile. “Thank you for a wonderful evening, Reese.”

I forced another smile. “It was my pleasure.”

Her eyes slipped from mine to my lips before she leaned over the console, her mouth on track for mine. My heart thundered in my chest as I considered my next move. Whatever it was, it would be ugly — because I was not kissing that woman.

Thankfully, I didn’t have to figure it out just yet, because she paused with her mouth just a few inches from mine. Her hand grazed my knee before she ran it up the inside of my thigh, and as much as the old me would have jumped for joy at the easy lay, the new me wasn’t even capable of getting hard.

She wasn’t what I wanted.

She wasn’t who I wanted.

“Why don’t you come inside,” she whispered, licking her lips as her hand crawled higher. “I’ll make us some drinks.”

I’d always given Jennifer credit for her boldness, but in that moment, I wished she were a little more coy. I wished she wasn’t so aggressive, just so I wouldn’t have to have the very uncomfortable conversation that was about to take place.

I covered her hand with my own, clearing my throat as I stopped her before she could grab what she really wanted to. It only seemed to fuel her, that wicked smile climbing on her lips as she leaned in closer.

“I think we should call it a night, Jennifer.”

She paused, just an inch between us, her eyes still on my lips like she wasn’t sure she’d heard me right. Her salacious smile slipped just marginally before it was back, more drive than ever in her eyes as she closed the distance between us.

“Yeah, sure. Let’s call it a night,” she said just before her mouth met mine.

She inhaled at the contact, sucking in a breath on a sexy moan as she kissed me. And everything I’d tried to escape that night was no longer avoidable.

I pulled back on a grimace, placing my hands on her arms to hold her away from me. Jennifer panted, eyes flicking between mine as her chest heaved, confusion rolling over her.

“I really think I should go,” I said, firmer this time.

At that, her little mouth fell open in a stretched o before she popped it shut again.

Her brows drew in, lips pursed as she yanked away from my grip. “What the hell is wrong with you?” she seethed, snatching her purse from the floorboard and strapping it over one shoulder before turning on me again. “Do you not see how incredibly out of your league I am? You should be so lucky to take me on a date, let alone get an invitation inside my house at the end of the night.”

I fought the urge to roll my eyes. “If you’re so out of my league, then it shouldn’t bother you that I don’t want to come inside.”

Jennifer scoffed, poking me hard in the chest. “What is your deal? You want me, I know you do.”

“Jennifer,” I sighed her name, pinching the bridge of my nose as I shook my head. “Please, don’t do this. It was a nice evening, but really, I—”

“She doesn’t love you.”

The words I was about to speak died on my lips, hanging there along with my jaw. “Excuse me?”

“Charlie,” she clarified, spitting her name like a curse. “Charlie Pierce does not love you, Reese. She never did. She never will. She’s married,” she spat. “In case you forgot again.”

I gritted my teeth, the muscle in my jaw tight and tense. “I don’t know what you’re—”

“Oh, cut the bullshit, Reese. Everyone in this town knows that something happened between you two, even if we don’t have all the details. She had an affair, got it out of her system — got you out of her system — and now she and Cameron are happier than they’ve ever been. And you?” She laughed. “You’re walking around town like a sad, pathetic loser.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“And here I am,” she said louder, ignoring me. “Offering you something most men in this town dream about, and you can’t even find your balls for one fucking night to—”

“THAT’S ENOUGH.”

My voice was loud and firm, chest heaving as Jennifer sat there in my passenger seat, gaping at me like a fish.

“You don’t know anything about me, Jennifer. Nothing. And I don’t give a fuck what you or anyone else in this town thinks. There is only one person on my mind tonight, only one reason why I do not want to go inside that house with you, and it’s not Charlie.”

Her eyes narrowed. “You haven’t dated anyone. Who else could you possibly be thinking about?”

“It’s none of your goddamn business,” I seethed, hitting the unlock button even though the doors were already unlocked before. “Goodnight.”