Pure Wicked (Wicked Lovers #9.5)(21)
Author: Shayla Black

Jamie skirted the display cases and headed toward her. “He’s got a case of blue balls and hoped that you were pining for him enough to help him cheat on your sister so that he could dump you again when they got married. Or did you plan to just continue the bump and grind behind Presleigh’s back after the wedding?”

“That is not true!” Hayden insisted. “I still care for Bristol deeply. And I’m going to make sure you don’t use her and break her heart.”

“You mean like you did?” Jamie prompted.

Hayden gaped like a fish out of water, the shock on his face overdone and ridiculous. “I did not. We were simply not suited—”

“We weren’t, but I think you felt that way long before you bothered to share that fact with me,” Bristol pointed out. “You blindsided me by telling me that you were in love with my sister. Two days later, you were dating her. Until then, you made me believe that you cared and”—she held up her hands—“You know what? It doesn’t matter. I don’t care if you don’t like Jamie for me because I like him for me right now. Tomorrow may be another story, but I’m an adult. It’s my life and my business. But don’t for one second think you’re going to waltz in here and whisper a few pickup lines, seduce me out of my clothes, and use me to pass the time until your wedding. In fact, I’d better not see or hear from you again until you say ‘I do’ or I’ll be having a long talk with Presleigh about the likelihood of you not staying faithful.”

Hayden lunged at her, his hand balled in a fist. “I wasn’t hitting on you.”

“Bullshit.” Bristol tensed, ready to fend him off if necessary.

“And technically, I never cheated,” he insisted, edging closer.

Jamie put himself squarely between them, towering over Hayden, his shoulders a formidable barrier. “I’ll bet that’s bullshit, too. And she will talk to Presleigh if you don’t get the fuck out. I’ll back her up.”

Hayden leaned around Jamie and scowled, his expression asking her to be reasonable. She didn’t see why she had to defend her decision, especially since he was acting like a jealous bully. He was the one who’d betrayed her trust. No, she couldn’t prove that he’d come here today to crawl between her sheets again. But his reason certainly didn’t have anything to do with concern. Was he bored? Did he need to feed his ego by wooing her into bed again? Whatever. It wasn’t happening.

“Bris…” He huffed at her. “You two have known one another for…what? Ten minutes? We’ve known each other most of our lives. Of course I’m worried about you.”

She scoffed. “I know you too well to believe that. Now go away. You know I take goodies up to the kids at the county hospital on Sundays. You’re in my way.”

He refused to budge.

Jamie grabbed Hayden by the shirt. “She told you how she feels. You need to respect that. Turn your ass around and leave.”

“You’re really going to let your boy toy talk to me that way?” Hayden demanded, shoving Jamie away. “We’re practically family.”

Yeah, thirty days from becoming his sister-in-law, and he wanted to nail her. No thanks. “Just go.”

“I’m not leaving you here with this thug.” Hayden shoved his fists on his hips and stood his ground, despite the fact that Jamie stood a good six inches above him and outweighed him by fifty pounds of muscle.

“You know, you sound tired, honey.” Jamie glanced at her over his shoulder, his concern evident.

He totally ignored Hayden to check on her. Bristol tried not to let that make her a little giddy. He was merely a decent guy doing the right thing. It wasn’t a romantic gesture. He might have done the same for any woman with her ex breathing down her neck.

“Three thirty this morning came early.” Especially after last night. Even the thought of it made her face flush hot.

“Why don’t you go upstairs and rest?” Jamie suggested.

She shook her head. “I need to lock up.”

“Is it more complicated than turning the latch on the door over there.” Jamie thumbed in the direction of the glass entrance.

“No. It’s just…”

“Something you always do. I’ll turn off the lights, too. I can handle it. Honestly.”

“I have to clean up the kitchen.” She glanced back at the messy space. Usually she cleaned up after herself as she cooked. This morning, she’d been too flipping tired. A night with Jamie was enough to wear out any girl, but especially one who rose at the ass crack of dawn for work.