“When did you get so cynical?”
She stood watching her mother move around the kitchen. The roast lemon chicken smelt amazing. June couldn’t bring herself to remind her mother she hated lemon chicken. Lemon was a citrus fruit, a fruit, not a savory.
Dinner was going to be a long affair.
“I’m not cynical, Mom. I’m a realist. I don’t like him and don’t expect me to fall for him.”
Lexie growled. “Your father and I make it work.”
“You were a love match. Besides, you’re divorcing him soon.”
She chuckled as her mother growled once again. It was fun to wind her mother up.
Following her back into the sitting room, she heard her cell phone ring.
Excusing herself, she went into the hallway.
Grabbing her phone from the bag, she opened the text.
Trey: How’s the shit dinner?
Chuckling, June felt her heart leap at the text.
June: Not good. Guy is a prick. Also, mom made lemon chicken. GROSS!
She stood in the hallway, waiting for a reply.
Trey: Note 2 self, no lemon chicken. How is ur pussy?
June: u shouldn’t ask those questions.
Trey: I’m waiting 4 an answer.
“Are you okay?” Martin asked, startling her.
Closing the message she turned toward him. “Yes, everything is fine.” Keeping a grip on the phone she went to walk past him.
He caught her arm. His grip was light and not threatening. Glancing at where his hand touched her, June looked up at him. “Let me go.”
“Your family likes me, June.”
“Good for you.”
“I was wondering if you’d be interested in a date.”
She stared at him and counted to three.
“No, I don’t want a date.”
“Are you seeing someone?” he asked.
“No.”
He reached up to touch her hair, and she stepped back. June didn’t want his touch, and he was being far too familiar.
“I’d like to get to know you,” he said.
“I don’t want to get to know you. It’s nothing personal, but I see past it all. You can drop the act. I’m not buying it. Your dad put you up to this.”
She watched the wall crash down as he stared at her. His lip curled in distaste as he looked at the door.
“I’ve been ordered to make this work. You’re the one they want for my wife.” He looked down the length of her body. “And I wouldn’t mind making it work.”
“I would mind.”
Lexie peeked around the corner, smiling at them. “Dinner is served.”
Martin turned into the nice young man he portrayed.
Her mother left them alone again.
“They like me,” he said.
“I don’t care. You’re not the first person who they’ve tried to set me up with, and you won’t be the last.”
She left him alone, heading to the table.
Martin pressed a hand to her back. His touch repulsed her.
This is how it should be with Trey.
Instead she got hot for her old bully.
Stupid, stupid.
June accepted the lemon chicken doing her best not to wince at the scent. From the smell it looked like her mother had covered it in garlic as well.
Her mother’s cooking was the best. There were just a few recipes June couldn’t stomach. At least there were greens and potatoes.
Elliot pulled Martin into a conversation asking what he looked for in a woman. Martin was predictable and described her. Asshole.
She sent a quick text telling Trey what was happening.
At college she’d learned the skill of texting under the table without anyone knowing.
The phone was on silent.
Trey: Tell the bastard to eat shit! Ur taken.
It took every ounce of control not to spit her food across the table laughing. Trey was certainly coarse and spoke his mind. She liked him a tiny bit more. Maybe he was useful for more than his cock.
Trey: R u wet 4 me?
June: Maybe.
Trey: Fucking tease.
June: R u hard 4 me?
She didn’t laugh or smile. Picking around the lemon chicken she tried to draw herself back into the conversation her parents were having. Martin appeared to be happy at being the center of attention. Every now and then his gaze would wander over to hers. She was not interested in this man at all.
Trey: I want u home so I can fuck you. I want to lick the cream from ur pussy and fuck u until u scream my name.
“June!”
Glancing up she saw her mother glaring at her.
“What is it, Mother?” she asked, feeling guilty. Her pussy was on fire. She couldn’t think past the need beating inside. Walking out on the dinner was not an option.
“You’re being rude to our guest.”
She looked at Martin. “I’m sorry. Will you repeat your question?” Tightening her hand around the phone, she waited for him to say something. The infuriating man was driving her insane.