Chapter 23
Walking across the parking lot, James stuffed his chilled fingers into his coat pockets instead of reaching for Megan’s hand. And besides, her hands were already full. Cade half skipped, half walked to their car, clinging to her hand as he recalled every moment of their shared glory on the dancing video game.
The two of them had put on quite a show, and the green glow-in-the-dark plastic necklace that hung from Megan’s neck was only part of their winnings.
“I can’t believe we won that dance-off!” Cade cried. “Angelo and Frankie are never gonna believe me when I tell them.”
She smiled down at him. “We made a good team, didn’t we?”
Cade rambled on as they made their way through the parking lot. James smiled over at Abel, who just shook his head. He was glad his son had so much fun, especially since it was with Megan.
James hadn’t overlooked the mostly male crowd that had formed around the dancing video game during their performance. And those men hadn’t been watching the cute seven-year-old kid hopping around on the lighted platform. No, their eyes had been glued to the gorgeous woman on the next platform swiveling her hips in a skintight dress.
His possessive hackles had definitely stood on end as he watched Megan step, jump, and sway to the dance music. When their dance time had ended, Megan gave Cade a high five, and they’d received a roaring applause. Her cheeks were flushed, a light sheen of perspiration gleamed off her forehead, and her eyes were on fire with excitement.
When their gazes had met and she’d beamed at James, something had squeezed his heart. All those other fuckers could look all they wanted, but she was going to be in his bed at the end of the night.
Well, maybe not his bed, but a bed with him in it.
“Abel, it was lovely to meet you,” Megan said to his father as they stopped next to the Challenger.
“See you next time,” his father replied, shooting a quick smirk in James’s direction before sliding behind the wheel of the car.
“Ms. McKenna, will you wear the necklace I won for you to school on Monday?”
She bit her lip and winced. “I’d be worried I’d lose it or get it dirty. I better keep it in a safe place at home.”
Placated with her explanation, he gave her waist a quick, seven-year-old-boy mini-hug and hopped into the backseat of the car. James made sure he was strapped into his seat belt properly and gave him a kiss on the forehead. “Don’t give your grandpa any trouble about going to bed.”
“All right, Dad. See you later, alligator,” he replied, right before he stretched his mouth in a giant yawn.
James stepped back beside Megan, and they waved as Abel pulled out of the spot and headed toward the exit. Grabbing his hand, she asked, “Where to?”
His first response was going to be to her place, but he also wanted to do something fun with her. There would be plenty of time for getting naked. An hour or two delay wouldn’t hurt them. “How about that new bar that just opened on West Madison?”
“Sure. You okay riding in my worthless car?”
“I thought you said it wasn’t worthless?” he teased. Spotting her car parked two rows over, he pulled her in that direction.
“Suit yourself, but would you mind driving?” She smiled. “I’m exhausted from all that dancing.”
“Not at all.” He extended his hand for her keys.
Dropping the key ring into his palm, she said, “Just a warning, you have to be nice to her or she might not cooperate.”
“She and I are already acquainted. Did you forget that I’ve had my hands under her hood?”
Megan gave out a little huff as James unlocked the old Honda and opened her door. “I’m not sure I like the fact that I’m slightly jealous of my car right now.”
He laughed and shut her door before rounding the back and getting into the driver’s seat. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. I can’t wait to get my hands under your hood again. And I’m not even gonna charge you.”
She bit her bottom lip, and like every other time, that little move went straight to his dick. He maneuvered the rattling car out of the parking lot and onto the street. To distract himself from the X-rated thoughts playing in his head, he started to make a mental list of everything wrong with the way her car drove.
All the while, he noticed every move she made beside him. He watched her shift her legs, the dark tights she wore rubbing together. Without thinking about it, he reached over and placed his hand on her upper thigh, where her short dress met her long legs. He didn’t miss the fact that she parted her legs slightly, and he wished she wasn’t wearing those damn leggings.
Megan had said she wanted more than just sex. And as much as he wanted the sex part of their relationship to continue, he was also looking forward to the couple part. So they’d go to this bar and have a few drinks while he tried to keep his hands off her. Then he’d drive her dilapidated car as fast as its wheels would carry them back to her place so he could bury himself inside her snug, wet body until they forgot what planet they were on.
After finding a spot a couple of blocks away, he tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow and pulled her along the sidewalk toward the warmth of the cozy bar. It had just opened a couple of months earlier, and the atmosphere was perfect for quiet conversation. It was an large room with open ductwork at the top of the high ceilings, and the tables and booths were partitioned off to provide some privacy.
They grabbed a table along the back wall and hung their coats on a nearby hook. The dimness of the room and the tiny candles on their table threw golden light and darkened shadows across Megan’s face.
“What?” she asked after she caught him staring.
“Nothing.”
“I thought we were going to go back to communicating.” Although her voice held a hint of censure, she was teasing him.
“You’re right.” He scooted his chair closer to hers, not stopping until their thighs touched. “I was just thinking how beautiful you look with your hair up. But then I was thinking how fucking gorgeous you look with your hair down, spread across the sheets of your bed when you’ve got your legs wrapped around my waist.”
Her grin slipped a little as her eyes heated. “Would you like it better if I—”
“Good evening. How are you both doing?”
James turned his head to find their waiter standing next to the table, smiling down at them. He was just doing his job, but James was still incredibly pissed at the tall guy with wire-frame glasses.
Megan cleared her throat. “Hi. We’re fine, thanks, and you?”
“Great!” the waiter said. “I’d love to tell you about our specials tonight.”
James patiently waited as the Harry Potter look-alike read a list of drink specials ranging from martinis to margaritas. The guy talked with his hands way too much.
When Megan asked a question about a coffee on the menu, James had to grind his back teeth when the guy walked around and leaned down beside her. He was way too far into her personal space.
Catching himself, James refrained from any overtly alpha act and leaned back in his chair instead. He’d thought the possessiveness might stop now that they were officially together. Before, he’d been uncertain of his claim on her. But now she was his and his alone, and surprisingly, the possessive shit only got worse because of it.
Megan and Harry finished up their little powwow when she settled on an Irish coffee. James ordered a draft, and finally they were alone again.
“I’m glad you decided on that arcade place for dinner. I think it was a perfect way to ease me into the family-friend zone,” she said, taking his nearest hand and resting it on her lap in her hands.
Speaking of easing into something… He leaned toward her, intent on kissing her full pink lips, when a large bowl of peanuts hit the table.
“You guys are gonna love these nuts.” Harry Potter was back. “They’re roasted with a house spice mixture. Fresh out of the oven.”
James might have actually growled, he wasn’t sure. Megan smiled and thanked the waiter as he turned and headed back to the bar.
Not waiting for their next interruption, James nudged her chin and drew her closer. He brushed his lips against hers, loving the way her bottom lip quivered. She pressed his hand firmly into the muscle of her upper leg as he flicked the tip of her tongue with his.
He knew they didn’t have complete privacy, but they had enough. He itched to slide his hand up her leg and under her sweater dress to touch what he knew was a damp, hot pair of panties.
Squeezing her leg, he tilted his head and pulled her bottom lip between his teeth. Her sharp intake of breath sent all his blood south to his groin. He pulled his lips away and nuzzled her smooth jawline with his nose, taking in her vanilla scent. God, he could seriously nibble on her all night long.
He’d never been much for public displays of affection, but then again, he’d never wanted anyone the way he wanted Megan.
“Okay, here is one Irish Coffee and a sixteen-ounce draft.”
Megan stiffened under his touch, and he pulled away, leveling a hard stare at Harry.
“Can I get you two anything else?” he asked, seemingly unaware of his impending murder.
“How about some privacy?” James replied tersely, his tone edged with just enough threat to let the guy know he meant business.
Harry Potter just smiled and slapped James on the shoulder. “You got it, man. Enjoy!”
James and Megan watched the waiter twirl his tray as he hurried to the bar without a care in the world. That little bastard had to know he was cock-blocking.
James reluctantly moved his hand from her thigh as she sipped her coffee. “I think Calli’s home early tonight, but that doesn’t mean we can’t go back to my place,” she said.
“Sounds perfect.”
He purposely took a long swig of his beer. The sooner they finished, the sooner they could get going.
She took another sip, her tongue slipping out to the corner of her mouth to lick a dab of whipped cream that had gotten stuck there. Her eyes found his, and she smiled, knowing full well what he was thinking.
He’d yet to feel that tongue on his cock in all the months that they’d been together, but he knew it was going to be worth the wait. Maybe if he played his cards right, he’d find out later tonight.
“Looks like you’re enjoying your coffee.”
The male voice came from beside the table, and James jerked his head up to lay into their waiter. But he stopped when he saw it was Niall Dempsey.
The suited man smiled down at them and then let his lecherous gaze linger on Megan. “What a surprise it is to find my ex-wife and my mechanic together having a romantic evening.”
He’d spat out the word mechanic as if it was offensive. The real estate exec’s shrewd dark eyes scanned Megan slowly, causing James to tighten his grip on his glass. Was the fucker jealous or did he just like to stir up trouble?
“You always did look lovely in black, Meg. Guess I can’t really blame you, Foley, for wanting to get a taste.” Niall reached into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet. “Here, let me pay for your drinks. Foley, on your salary, you’ll need all the help you can get to keep Meg here happy.”
Trying not to bare his teeth at the asshole’s assumption that he couldn’t afford drinks, James shifted toward the man and leaned on the table. “I don’t need your money, and we sure as hell aren’t inviting you to sit down. So leave. Now.”
Niall held up his hands and laughed. “Easy there, big fella. I mean no disrespect. Just saw the two of you lovebirds over here in the corner and wanted to come say hello. That’s all.” He smirked. “Enjoy that coffee, Meg. I hope the mechanic shows you a good time. I guess you’ll spread your legs for just about anyone these days.”
James shot out of his chair. He didn’t care what the fucker said about him, but he damn well wasn’t going to let him talk about Megan like that. He had every intention of maiming the bastard when he felt hands press firmly against his chest. He looked down to see Megan standing between him and Dempsey.
“James,” she pleaded. He blinked down at her and then looked at the arrogant face of her ex-husband. “James, please. He’s not worth it.”
Oh, it so would be worth it. To feel his fist crunch into the motherfucker’s cheekbone, shattering it. To watch the weasel writhe in pain on the floor at his feet.
But then James looked at Megan and saw the torment in her eyes. Abruptly, he realized her ex had already done enough to her. He’d robbed her of so many things. Security, a livelihood, confidence, self-respect. James wouldn’t give the asshole the satisfaction of sending her new man to jail for assault.
Taking a deep breath, he leveled a threatening glare at Niall Dempsey. “That’s the last time you ever approach her in public. That’s the last time you ever utter anything offensive about her. And this,” he said through gritted teeth, stabbing his finger at the floor, “is your last warning. Because if I ever find out you gave her shit like that again, I’ll make sure the next time we meet isn’t in a crowded bar with lots of witnesses.”
The prick had the good sense to keep his mouth shut and walk away after one last sneer to Megan. A few people at nearby tables were staring, but James made sure to watch Dempsey until he lost sight of him over near the exit.
“Hey,” Megan whispered. Alarm still shone in her eyes. “You okay?”
“You shouldn’t have to put up with his shit.” He pulled his wallet from his back pocket and fished two twenties out and threw them on the table. “Come on. Let’s go.”
He helped her into her coat just as their waiter hesitantly approached them. “Do you guys need your check?”
James nodded to the table. “That should be enough to cover it. Keep the change.”
Harry Potter looked at what was going to amount to a very large tip. James didn’t care. He was half tempted to throw down another twenty just to drive home the point that he had more than enough money to take care of Megan. But the bastard he wanted to prove it to had already left.
With his blood still boiling, he needed to get some fresh air. He grabbed Megan’s hand and led her to the front door. He could see through the windows that the wind had picked up and it was snowing sideways. She was going to freeze her ass off in her short dress and thin tights.
“Why don’t you wait here while I get the car? It’ll just take me a minute.” His voice was sharp, and he tried to rein in his agitation by offering a sad excuse for a reassuring smile.
She squeezed the crook of his arm. “Okay, I’ll wait here. Hurry back.”
After a nod, James pushed out into the blustery night, the snow squall and the frigid January temperatures not doing a thing to cool his temper.
###
Megan watched James disappear around the corner of the building. He wasn’t the only one whose blood was boiling.
Never in her life had she wanted to strike someone. But when Niall had insulted James, her legs had forced her out of her seat, and her right hand had clenched into a tight fist. She wasn’t sure if she would have decked him; probably not.
James had gotten to Niall first, and all the anger that had bubbled up inside of her had turned to ice in her veins as she’d realized what had been about to happen. If James would have touched Niall, he would have been done for. Her ex would have taken everything from him and enjoyed every second of it.
Megan hadn’t been about to let that happen. Thank goodness James had a level head because there was no way she could have stopped him.
Remembering the two men standing nose to nose, Megan shivered. James had loomed over Niall like an angry storm cloud. Restrained rage had made his body tense as he’d stared down at her ex-husband. In that moment, Niall had seemed stunted and nothing like the confident man he usually portrayed.
“Miss, is everything okay?”
Megan turned and saw their waiter from before. She realized she was standing in the way of the waitstaff who needed to get out from behind the bar.
“Oh, I’m so sorry,” she replied, stepping toward the door. “I didn’t mean to be in the way. No, thanks, I’m fine.”
The nice waiter smiled in response as he carried a heavy tray of drinks to one of his tables. As she turned to look out the front window for James, she caught sight of her ex-husband sitting at the very end of the bar. She’d assumed he’d left after James threatened him, but obviously he hadn’t.
Through narrowed eyes, she studied Niall. His gray suit was perfectly tailored, the shirt under his jacket crisp and white. She remembered buying the suit for him a little over a year ago. It was Armani and cost more than she’d paid for her car.
Niall’s hair was perfectly styled, his face clean-shaven. Long, straight nose, defined, strong jawline. He’d always been an incredibly handsome man. But knowing him like she did, there was nothing attractive about him anymore.
He was sitting alone, his elbows resting on the bar in front of him as his hands cradled a drink. His eyes were trained on the half-empty glass of amber liquid. Anger sparked inside her as she watched him shake his sleeve up to reveal his shiny gold Rolex. She’d bought that for him too.
It seemed so odd that she’d shared a life with this man for seven years. That she remembered his clothes and his mannerisms, and yet he seemed like a complete stranger to her now.
Maybe he was alone at a bar because he didn’t want to go home to his mistress. She wasn’t his mistress now though. Girlfriend? Fiancée? Wife? Whatever the other woman was to him, Megan didn’t care. But all of a sudden, she had a few things she wanted to say.
She walked the length of the bar and stopped beside his chair. Pulling her coat a little tighter around herself, she cleared her throat. His brown eyes moved to hers, and the hand holding his glass tumbler stopped midway to his mouth. His eyes flickered over her shoulder, presumably looking for James.
When she had Niall’s attention again, she tilted her head and smiled. “Thank you.”
He put his glass down on the bar and turned his body toward her. “Excuse me?”
She couldn’t help it, she laughed. Resolve and courage bloomed inside her. “I just wanted to say thank you.”
“For what?”
His face tightened, and Megan knew his defenses were scurrying into place. She was making him uncomfortable.
“For cheating on me. For divorcing me.” She shrugged. “You did me a huge favor, and I just wanted you to know I appreciate it now.”
And she meant it.
His forehead creased as he frowned. Megan went on. “You see, if we hadn’t divorced, then I would still be under the delusion that you’re a good man. A man whom I’d put on a pedestal for so many years. A man who was larger-than-life.”
Niall opened his mouth to reply but Megan rushed to continue.
“But now I know the truth. And the truth is, Niall, you’re small. In every way that matters, you are a small, insignificant man. I’m not just referring to what you have in your pants. I’m talking about your heart. I’m talking about your life. You might have money spilling from your pockets, and you might be Chicago real estate royalty, but in the end, those things won’t matter. And they certainly don’t matter to me because I’ve moved on.”
“You keep telling yourself that, Meg,” Niall retorted. He was smirking but she could tell she’d hit some small, hidden vulnerable spot.
“That man?” she said, pointing to where they’d sat before. “That mechanic? He’s amazing. He’s kind, hardworking, and smart. He treats me like I matter. Like I’m important. He listens to me when I have something to say. And when he smiles at me, he makes me forget to breathe. James is ten times the man you could ever be.” Megan leaned toward him. “And he makes me happier than I ever was with you.”
She was tempted to say something nasty and compare Niall’s sexual prowess to James’s—because there really was no comparison—but she stopped herself. Not because it was unladylike or because such a crass topic shouldn’t be discussed in public. Realizing the need to verbally hurt Niall was no longer important to her, she just shrugged. Like she’d told James, he wasn’t worth it.
Before he could respond, Megan straightened and clutched her purse in front of her. “So again, thank you.”
His mouth hung slightly agape, and his eyes were clouded with bewilderment. She had no idea why she’d never seen him as the sorry excuse for a man he was. But she sure as hell saw it now.
“Good-bye, Niall.”