Every other woman he'd ever dated had tried to get every last thing they could out of him and he finally had a woman he wanted to buy things for and she tossed them back in his face. He'd already had a frustrating day at the office, which was why he'd come home early in the first place and she was now aggravating his mood even further. He'd hoped being with her would've calmed him down. It wasn't happening.
"You'll quit whatever crappy job you took because I want you home when I need you," he told her. She looked at him like he was insane for a moment. He could see she was trying to decide whether to yell at him or walk away. Finally she started laughing. He stood there in complete shock. No one ever laughed at him. He didn't like it happening to him.
"I won't quit my job. I happen to have found one that I love. I know my measly little paycheck for two weeks doesn't even compare to what you make in one hour but it's my money and I'm earning it on my own. I've told you before I'll pay back every penny you've spent on Patsy and I. I need a job to be able to afford to do that."
"I've told you I don't want a dime from you," he said for the hundredth time.
"Well, I don't take hand outs and I'll be paying you."
"Why the hell do you have to be so stubborn all the time? It's ridiculous and you're doing nothing but hurting yourself and your sister. Grow up and stop acting like a damn child," he said through clenched teeth.
"Just because you have far more money than any one person should ever have doesn't mean you can throw it in my face. If I want to pay you back then I'll do it, whether I have to stuff it down your throat or not," she told him stubbornly.
"I can't even talk to you," he shouted, as he ran his fingers through his hair once again.
"Well, that goes both ways, you arrogant jerk,"
"I guess then I'll have to drag you away from this job you have. I've done it once, don't think I won't do it again," he threatened.
"I don't think you're going to be able to do that," she smirked at him, which caused his blood to boil even more.
"I can figure out easily where you're working Nicole, so don't act so cocky."
"Oh, I don't have a problem telling you where I work. My co-workers will rip you apart if you so much as lay one finger on me while I'm there," she said far too smugly.
Images of her working at a strip club with bouncers went through his mind. He could think of no other place where she would foolishly believe he wouldn't try and drag her out. He would certainly drag her out of a strip club too and he'd look forward to the fight. She caused more emotions in him than any other person on the planet.
"If you're working at some trashy night club, or bar I swear I'll be going to jail for pounding the crap out of whoever has dared to look at you," he yelled. Nicole was shocked by the intensity of his worlds. A shiver ran down her spine as she realized he was serious. Thank goodness she hadn't been that stupid.
"If you must know, I'm working with Jasmine and Trinity at their place," she said smugly. She watched a mixture of relief and acceptance wash over his features.
Ryan blew out his breath, as he realized she was right, there was no way in hell he would try and drag her out of there. Jasmine and Trinity would tear him apart. There wasn't a man on the planet he feared but his cousin's wives were a whole different matter.
She once again laughed at him, loving she'd won that argument. She took off up the stairs like she didn't have a care in the world.
He stared in shock. She laughed in his face and then outright defied him. To top off everything, she had the gall to walk away when he wasn't finished with their argument. He knew logically he should let her go so he could calm himself down but he was never one to walk away from a fight.
He slowly stalked her up the stairs and found her in their bedroom. His temper was already escalated and seeing her in their room, in the same raggedy clothes made him snap. He was sick and tired of seeing her lessen herself by wearing rags.
Nicole turned around and the look on Ryan's face terrified her. She didn't think she'd ever seen him so furious. Maybe she'd pushed it a little bit far. She was thinking it may be much wiser to apologize and tuck tail and run. She wasn't going to quit her job though. She was getting ready to do just that when he opened his mouth once again and infuriated her all over.
"I've bought you new clothes and you still choose to wear those rags. I demand you toss them out now," he yelled at her. Her hackles were immediately up again.
"I'd rather be naked than wear your charity hand-outs," she shouted right back. Her eyes widened by the look that came into his eyes.
He walked into her closet and ripped her precious few items off the hangers and walked over to her dresser and took out the few pairs of her underclothing she'd brought with her. He tossed it all on the bed and stalked towards her.