Her eyes first widen and then narrow at my words. I can see the anger spreading across her face, and while I’m confused by it, it doesn’t stop me from giving her a stare down. Who the hell does she think she is to be angry? I know she didn’t exactly hit on me, but her eyes last night told me that she wanted to. She’s standing frozen in her spot, and I can’t help but egg her on.

“What’s the matter, Charlotte? Didn’t expect me to find out? I guess that’s just too bad for you. Here’s the thing. I don’t do cheating and I can’t stand cheaters.”

Before I can get the last word out, she moves so fast that I can’t anticipate the slap that lands across my cheek. This isn’t the first slap I’ve ever gotten, but it is the first time it’s happened that I didn’t hear an apology immediately following it, the slapper’s eyes wide as she covers her mouth in an I can’t believe I just did that type of way. Nope, this girl meant for that slap to sting, and fuck, did it ever. I’m rubbing my jaw when I notice that her eyes look hot with anger, and I have to take a step back before she lands another blow.

I watch as she closes her eyes and balls her fists at her sides as she takes a deep breath. She stands there in that exact spot for a few moments, and I’m hoping she’s trying to calm down. I’m still the wronged party here, if you can even call it that, but I don’t feel like getting hit again. Slowly, she opens her eyes, unclenches her fists, and glares at me once again.

“I hope that leaves a mark, asshole.”

What in the fucking hell?

Charlie

THIS GUY has lost his mind. He is seriously delusional, and I’m questioning the validity of the assessment that he didn’t suffer brain damage. I’m about to suggest that he get a second opinion when he interrupts my thoughts.

“Sorry, sweetheart, but you’re going to have to hit a lot harder than that to leave a mark on my skin,” he prods, further irritating me, causing me to ball my hand into a fist again, ready to accept his challenge.

“Let’s get a couple of things straight here, asshole. First of all, when I introduced myself to you last night, did I say, ‘Hey, sexy, I’m Charlotte. I want a good fuck and you look just like the guy to give it to me’? Well, did I?” I ask, seething with anger as he hesitates to answer me. Sure, I may have thought about his lips on my skin, but I never would’ve gone home with him on the first night, no matter what Lucy advised me to do.

He blinks at me, looking from my fist to my face. “Uh…no?”

“Exactly, so you can forget that whole part of your argument, but thank God you’re so fucking noble that you won’t sleep with another man’s woman. Seriously. Fucking kudos. I’ll have to get you a cookie for that.” He snorts, and I glare at him, shutting him up. “So second of all, did you ever ask if I have a boyfriend? Not that it should matter to you since you blew me off when I simply told you my name, but did you ever ask if I had a boyfriend?”

Again, I get a blank stare before he lets out another, “No.”

“So then ask me.”

He clears his throat before he asks the question. “Charlotte, do you have a boyfriend?”

Giving him a sweet smile that’s still laced with venom, I answer him. “No, Knox, for your information, I do not have a boyfriend. I did, however, have a fiancé until a couple of months ago. It looks like we have one thing in common. I, like you, cannot stand cheaters.”

His eyes widen as the realization that he’s a complete and total asshole dawns on him. Or at least I hope it does. Wanting to have the last word, I hurriedly grab my purse and head into the kitchen to grab the cash his brother left. As I make my way towards the front door, he stops me in the living room and hands me my phone. I try to ignore the way his hand lingers on mine when I take it from him, but the feel of his rough skin turns me on, and it pisses me off even more.

“Charlie, I—” I hold my hand up and he stops talking. I don’t bother looking up at him. I’m so angry, and I’m afraid if I see a sympathetic or apologetic look in his gorgeous green eyes my anger will melt away. I have no time for a guy who’d make assumptions about me like that, both that I’d fuck him the night I met him and that I’d cheat on my boyfriend to do so. I don’t care how hot he is—he’s clearly an arrogant cockbag I’m better off just admiring from afar.

“Just don’t, Knox. I’ll be back with the groceries later. Maybe while I’m gone you can take the foot out of your mouth and shove it up your ass.”

Without looking back, I leave his house. It isn’t until I’m halfway down the road that I finally stop shaking.

LUCY LOOKS at me with wide eyes. “He did not say that!” Taking a sip of my coffee, I nod and she falls back against the couch with a look of disgust on her face.

I called her to meet me for coffee so I could vent and calm my nerves. Knox’s grocery list wasn’t all that long, but I need time to cool off before going back to his place. To be honest, I was getting used to the idea of taking care of him while his brother is away. After Jace and Cohen had left, he seemed to have mellowed out a little, and while I was cleaning, I decided that he was probably just grumpy from having a caretaker and being cooped up inside. I was hoping that after I was done we could lunch together and get to know each other, but it’s clear now that’s not going to happen.

“So what’d you do? I can’t believe he snooped through your phone and then went off on you like that!” Lucy exclaims, and I know she’s going to be stuck on this for a while. Her last relationship didn’t end well and she’s still in the man-hating stage, except where Kale’s concerned.

I grin sheepishly as I relive the slap for her. She squeals and holds up her hand for a high-five. Lucy’s all about the slap. I’ve always given her crap about it, but damn, it felt good when I did it. It might have been a little unwarranted, and I’m wondering if part of it was because I never got to give Drew the same treatment.

“Have you ever even slapped anyone before?” she asks, and I shake my head.

“That was definitely a first for me, but I was just so angry. And I think I was more pissed that he basically called me a slut without having to say it! All I did was say hi and tell him my name. Since when did that mean ‘please bend me over this table and do me good’?”

Lucy giggles and shakes her head. “I saw that guy last night. He’s probably had the very thing happen to him. You know how the Army groupies around here can be when it comes to hot soldiers. They don’t call them barracks bunnies because they’re there to do housekeeping. They prey on these guys, and the men eat it up. For the most part.”

I roll my eyes, knowing she’s right. It doesn’t escape my attention that there always seems to be attractive girls hanging around the VA office on campus.

“I don’t get him. I’ve ‘known’ the guy for less than twenty-four hours and he’s already shot me down, blown me off, flirted with me, had to hide his hard dick, and then called me a slut in that period of time. I mean, who does that?”

Lucy’s eyes widen and the grin on her face grows just as big. “His penis got hard and he had to hide it? Oh, sister, do tell!”

Rolling my eyes again, I’m not surprised that’s what she latched on to from my statement. “When I was trying to get information out of him about his injuries, needs, and wants so that I can help him out in the most efficient way, I couldn’t help but notice that he kept watching me chew on my pen. I swear, he wasn’t even aware we were having a conversation. His eyes were glued to my lips…so I may have put on a little show, sucking the tip while he watched.” I grin sheepishly, and Lucy laughs.

“Oh my god, you were teasing him?!”

“I couldn’t help myself! Then I noticed him readjusting his crotch and then he covered it with a pillow.” I grin to myself as I remember how empowering it felt with his eyes following every movement my lips made. I felt even more confident when I realized he had an erection.