“Unpack please,” George pleaded. “Let me help you.” He walked over to her suitcase which was still closed at the foot of the bed.

“No!” She folded her arms. “I’m not staying.”

“Megs, babe, you’re being unreasonable.”

“Do. Not. Megs babe. Me!” She knew she was being a tad unreasonable but she couldn’t seem to get herself under control. She’d never been so humiliated in her whole life.

George swallowed hard. He took a seat on the edge of her bed. “I’m sorry.”

He did look sorry but she knew he couldn’t possibly mean it. “You’re not sorry. You think this is hilarious.”

“No, I don’t.” There was a pleading edge to his voice.

“You do too.” She stomped to the other side of the room before heading back. “As soon as that door closed,” she gestured to the front door, “you laughed so hard you were crying. Real tears and all.”

“Some of this is pretty funny. Come on!”

“There was nothing funny about being humiliated like that.” She felt her lip wobble.

“Oh, hun … don’t cry.” George jumped up. “I’m such a cow, I’m sorry. I mean it this time.” Sincerity shone in his eyes. “I didn’t realize you had taken it so hard. The way you handled that Tide guy, in the end, was brilliant. I’m so darned sorry. Look at you all teary-eyed.”

“Teary-eyed my ass.” She sniffed. “Don’t you worry. I won’t be crying over that asshole. We had a one-night stand, that was all. It’s over and done with. I cannot believe he said those things.” She shook her head.

“He’s a big ole ass,” George tutted. “At least he’s a gorgeous ass though. Did you see his eyes? Oh,” his lips twitched, “I’m forgetting, you’ve seen way more than his eyes.” He bobbed his brows.

“Don’t. I want to forget that night ever happened. He’s an ass, full stop.” She said it with venom.

“Was he at least good in bed?” George’s eyes brightened and his back straightened. “Please tell me he was good.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Of course it matters. He seems like quite the intense type and those normally make the best lovers. It’s just that you’re not one for casual hook-ups.”

George looked at her like he was sizing her up or something. Like maybe he didn’t know her as well as he thought he did.

“No.” She shook her head. “It wasn’t like me to invite him back to my place. I don’t normally do things like that … no.” She shook her head again. Why did she feel the need to defend herself? “We don’t live in the dark ages. Women can be sexual as well, you know.”

“Absolutely! There’s nothing wrong with a bit of good, clean fun. Thing is, it’s not something you would normally do …?” Again, his eyes narrowed and he seemed to size her up.”

She shook her head.

“So, it’s a hope it was at least good for you, right?”

She didn’t answer. She didn’t want to think about Tide or the night they had spent together. She certainly didn’t want to be reminded of how good it was. “It doesn’t matter,” she mumbled. “I don’t want to stay anymore, George. We can figure something else out.”

“Why? Because your assigned guard is someone from your past? How long ago was your little tryst?”

She sighed. “Going on two months ago.”

He raised his brows. “So recent then. Understandable that you might be a bit sensitive about it. You need to think carefully about this, Meghan. You’re going to blow this opportunity because you’re pissed at Tide. Talk about cutting your nose off to spite your face. You need to do as he says and completely ignore him. Tide is as arrogant as they come, he’ll hate it if you do.”

Meghan frowned. “Doubtful, since he’s the one who suggested it.”

“You saw the way he reacted, he couldn’t believe your being here was a coincidence. Why? Because the guy has an ego as big as this mountain. Maybe bigger.”

“That’s for sure.” Asshole!

“Guys like that expect women to fall at their feet. They expect to be chased. I’m sure he’s had it happen before. The chasing, the stalking, the begging. All of it. It’s what he’s used to.”

Meghan made a snorting noise. “He can forget it. I’m not chasing or stalking him. He’s not getting even a glance from me.”

“Exactly. Tide isn’t used to being ignored,” George said. “You saw him ‒ he might be a jerk-off but he’s damned hot. Hotter than most.” Then he laughed. “Did you see his face when you told him he had an ugly mug?” He laughed some more. “I doubt anyone has said anything like that to him before.”

She smiled. “He was shocked. I just said the first thing that came into my head. Asshole deserved it.”

“Yes he did, and he’ll flip if you follow through and ignore the hell out of him.”

“I knew he was a bit arrogant when I met him but I didn’t realize the extent of that arrogance. Also, even though he was full of himself, he was pretty sweet. I guess I was wrong about that. He just wanted to get into my pants, that’s all.”

“I hate to break it to you, hun, but a guy like Tide can have almost anyone he wants.”

“Oh gee, thanks.”

“No, I don’t mean it like that. I keep telling you that you’re a catch, but you won’t listen. What I meant was, I doubt he was just being nice to get into your pants. Maybe deep down under all of that macho man exterior is a half decent guy.”

“I highly doubt it,” she blurted.

"Mmmmm …" George raised his eyes in thought. "Then again, maybe you're right. It doesn't matter though, does it? It's not like you actually want to be with him or anything."

“Hell no!” she answered, her voice high-pitched.

“It’s not like you’re going to let him hop back into bed with you?” George raised his brows, clearly waiting for an answer.

“In his dreams.” Her hands actually curled into fists at her side as she said it. Tide could go to hell for all she cared.