Chapter 53: Chapter Fifty-Three

Everett

Anger courses through me as I storm off. It is for two reasons. One, because I saw Aubrey with another man. Two, because I hate how jealous it made me. Yes, that night she went on the date set up by Hugo and Erica annoyed me, but this is different. I wanted to punch him! Aubrey is supposed to be mine! No one else’s. I don’t care if she said they are only friends. I know how men work. He is after something even if Aubrey doesn’t see it.

I return to Hugo’s office to continue our meeting, cursing under my breath.

“What is wrong with you? You were fine when you left. Now, your face is red, and you seem tense,” Hugo asks, confused.

“Nothing, I am fine. Can we finish up? I need to go soon,” I sigh, running my fingers through my hair.

Hugo doesn’t seem convinced but nods his head. He knows not to push me. We get back to our meeting. I try not to let what happened get to me and focus. I am eager to get out of here. I don’t want to run into Aubrey. It is time for me to return home. I have stayed with Aubrey too long. I have been around Aubrey too much. It is messing with my head. My possessive side is creeping to the surface, and she isn’t even mine.

“Everett, there is something wrong. Do you want to talk about it? What happened between when you left for the bathroom and returned?” Hugo asks as we finish up.

“No, I don’t want to talk about it. I need to go. I will call you.” I up and leave before Hugo can start asking more questions.

I head straight for the elevator. I managed to get to my car without seeing Aubrey or the douche she was talking to. I don’t want to even think about what I would say to him if I were alone with him. I don’t do jealousy. I hate that Aubrey brings that side out of me.

Climbing into my car, I rest back on the seat and slap the steering wheel, groaning in frustration. “Fuck!” I yell.

There are many reasons I don’t let anyone close to me and keep a distance, and shit like this is one of them. Taking a few deep breaths, I pull myself together before starting the car. I drive in the direction straight to Aubrey’s place. I will collect my things and go home. I’ll post her key after I lock up. After how I acted, Aubrey won’t want me around anymore. Aubrey should have kept pushing me away from her. I should have stayed away from her from the beginning. If we did, then there wouldn’t be any issues. Life would be easier for both of us.

A part of me is happy to be home, yet another part of me is missing being at Aubrey’s place. As strange as it sounds, Aubrey’s place felt more like a home and comfortable. It is small compared to what I am used to, but I felt better there. I refuse to admit it was because Aubrey was there with me. I haven’t heard from her. She would have gotten home a couple of hours ago. Aubrey is either mad at me or doesn’t care that I left without telling her. I am sure she probably had enough of me.

I pour a scotch, drinking it in one go before getting another and tossing myself on the sofa. I reach for my cell, finding Aubrey’s name. Hesitantly, I tap the call button. It rings and continues to do so, eventually ringing out. She is ignoring me. I sigh, trying for a second time, and the same thing happens. I toss my cell aside. Is she done with me? I shouldn’t care if she is, but a part of me does. Rejection isn’t something I’ve ever handled well since my childhood. I am usually the one doing the rejecting. I prefer it that way.

The sound of my cell ringing steals my focus. I grab it quickly, hoping it'd be Aubrey. I am soon disappointed when I realize it isn’t. It is Hugo calling. I’m in no mood to talk to him. I reject the call and set it aside, taking a sip of my scotch.

A sudden loud knock at my door makes me jump. What the hell? How didn’t I get any notifications to tell me someone has arrived? I ignore it. The knock comes again, only louder, and angrier. Whoever it is rattling my door better have a good reason for doing so.

I drag my ass off the sofa and go to answer. The second I open it, I am met with a furious-looking Aubrey. Her face is red, and her brows furrowed. One hand is on her hip, and her foot taps on the ground.

“Aubrey, what are you doing here?”

“You left without even telling me. Your outburst at work was bad enough, but then you disappeared without telling me. Without finishing our conversations,” she snaps, her arms flying all over the place.

“And? I wanted to come home. I am not going to apologize for that.” What a pathetic comeback. One that seems to heighten her anger.

I half expect a slap, but instead she barges by me, walking in without being invited. I roll my eyes and close the door behind us.

“That is all you have to say? You are a coward; do you know that? Maybe if you weren’t so stubborn and closed off, things would be different, but no. You keep the walls up, and then when things get too much, you run away like a bitch,” she snaps, pacing my hallway.

Her outburst takes me aback. It isn’t something I’ve experienced much. I come back to reality quickly.

“I am not a coward. I made it clear what I wanted. You are the one being stubborn,” I hiss.

“No, I am not. I refuse to be your little sex toy. You act like you don’t care and only want sex, then the next minute, you are losing your shit and acting like a jealous, possessive boyfriend. Make up your mind! I am done with this bullshit,” she exclaims, shaking her head and goes towards the front door.

She doesn’t get far. I grab her hips from behind and bring her around to face me, pulling her tightly to my chest. Her breathing is heavy as she stares up at me. My breathing matches hers. Neither of us says a word. I am a little turned on by it all. By the darkness in her eyes, I am not the only one.

Aubrey opens her mouth to speak, but changes her mind. The tension in the air intensifies. Before I can think or stop myself, I crash my lips down on her. I wait to be pushed away, but Aubrey kisses me back, moaning into my lips. I push her back roughly to the front door. Aubrey doesn’t fight against it.

This probably isn’t the best way to solve anything, but in the moment, I don’t care. I need to fuck her. She needs me to fuck her.