My CEO 267

267 Playing in Gool

267 Playing It Cool (Winona)

"Mommy, can you help with my doll's house after dinner?" Abby asks, her voice innocent and sweet. I smile at her, nodding.

"Of course, Sweetie."

Jayden catches my eye across the table, and I can see the flicker of something in his gaze. I know him well enough to know that this conversation about Phillip will happen and it probably won't be easy. After dinner, I help Abby and tuck her into bed, giving her a soft kiss on the forehead. I do the rounds and chat with Bobby and Sarah before saying goodnight. I check back in on Abby. She's dozed off. I take a minute to be thankful for her health lately. Her heart checkups have all been great.

I head back to the living room where Jayden's waiting. He's sitting on the couch, his arms crossed, his face set in that tight, unreadable expression he uses when he's pissed but trying not to show I sit down next to him, but there's a gulf between us. It feels like miles.

"So," he says, breaking the silence. His voice is calm, too calm. "Phillip was at the same club as you Sunday night."

I knew it was coming but hearing him say it still sends a jolt through me. I sigh, leaning back against the couch. "Yeah. He was."

Jayden doesn't look at me right away, just stares straight ahead like he's trying to decide how much of this he can take. "And?"

"And nothing," I say, keeping my tone light. I'm not about to let him drag me into some jealousy-fueled argument. "He was there. I was there."

He finally turns to me, his eyes dark with something I can't quite place. "That's it? Really?"

every little thing I do. It just is what it is." He's silent for a moment, his jaw tight, his fingers tapping restlessly against the arm of the couch. "I get that. But Phillip? You know how I feel about him." "You knew how I felt about Ashlyn. But you

right. It's just Phillip is the man you almost

I way about you."

bubbling up. "Then you have to trust me. I love you, not him. No matter what happens this week, I'm going

me to just believe that? To just take it on faith that after all this, you'll still want to marry me?" "Yes, Jayden.

struggling to keep his emotions in check. And what if you spend the rest of your life wondering if you made the right choice?

267 Playing It Cool

someone else, someone from this

can feel the frustration rising in my chest, hot and sharp. "Welcome

widen, and I can see

all this time wondering if you are thinking about Ashlyn while with me? I've had to deal with that every day. Now she's gone out of our lives and you're having dream-sex with her. I can't win." "Winona, understand this, those nightmares are not about me enjoying dream-sex with her.

are, this time before the wedding is for us both to work through whatever

like a caged lion. "You know what? Screw this. If you're on

off guard by his sudden shift. "What the hell are you talking

his eyes blazing with intensity. "I'm saying if you're out there having your fun, why the hell shouldn't I remind you what you'd

race, but I'm not about to let him turn

from the couch and into his arms. "What's stopping me from reminding you just how good we are together?" Before I can respond, his lips crash against mine, hot

jealousy, it all melts away as my body responds to the intensity of his

"You want to play this hall pass game, Winona? Fine. But don't forget

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