Misguided Vows: Chapter 40

His hand finds my lower back as he guides me into the event. It’s local to where I grew up and went to school, so I’m kind of hoping I don’t see anyone I know. It’s equally strange that Will has any type of association with my hometown. I really hope I don’t run into anyone from my past. I haven’t really kept in touch with anyone I went to school with, and the few friends I have are through my work.

The moment we step into the hospital, I quickly scan around to make sure I don’t recognize anyone. I then notice Will watching me carefully.

It’s not that I don’t like anyone from here; it’s just that when I moved to LA, I got caught up in the wrong crowd, and after that wanted an entirely different start.

It feels strange to return, especially with someone like Will on my arm. I don’t really understand what’s going on between us, but I also don’t want to complicate things by asking. I don’t want to feel like a silly woman seeing things that might not be there, but some of the stuff he says and does… This is more than just a booty call, right? I shove that thought down. If I don’t ask, I don’t have to know. And I think that’s better for both of us.

That’s probably not the most honest way to look at things, but it’s the way I’m going to go, considering I leave for London in less than two weeks, and this—whatever this is—will be in the past. While Will is attractive, funny, and even rich, he’s also had his great love. And while it’s selfish, I don’t ever want to be someone’s second.

Maybe that’s why I’ve never settled down.

Maybe it’s a me issue.

And Will is not the safe guy to pour my heart and energy into. However, as I look at his side profile and see how he scans the room just like I had, I think if it were going to be easy with anyone, it would most likely be him.

“How long do we have to stay?” I ask.

“Already want to leave?” he replies, smugly pulling me into his side.

“Yes and no.” I smile up at him. This beautiful fucking man can, unfortunately, be irresistible at times. The problem being, he fucking knows it.

“Will, how are you?” someone asks. He pulls away from me a bit but keeps his hand on my back as he turns to speak to the newcomer. I, however, take this as my time to look around and find the bar. I think I need a drink.

I place my hand on his chest. “Sorry to interrupt. Drink?”

“No, but I’ll be here waiting for you.” He lets me go, and I turn and head to the bar.

When I get there, I order a glass of wine and feel someone come up next to me.

“Alina?” I turn to see a tall man standing there. I’m confused at first because I think I might know him, but his name doesn’t come to mind.

“Steven. We dated in high school,” he clarifies, because obviously, my expression says it all. It suddenly clicks. Back then, Steven was a lot skinnier and lankier. This Steven is the same height but built out three times the width with a lot of muscles.

“Wow, I didn’t even recognize you,” I say, still shocked, and step back a little. “You got bigger.” I laugh.

“I did. Some things don’t change, however. You look beautiful as always,” he says, then turns to the bartender and orders himself a drink. I take my time to look at him, remembering him better now. His manners are the same, as are the smile and kind expression in his gaze. But his hair has grown out and his face has hardened. “What are you doing here? I haven’t seen you around since you left for LA, like, what, ten years ago?”

“Yeah, I only come back to check in on Mom. I’m just here with someone.”

He glances down at my hand, and when he doesn’t see a ring, he says, “Not married?”

“Nope. I haven’t found a victim yet,” I joke. “You?”

“Nope. Work is, unfortunately, my wife.” He chuckles.

“What do you do for work?”

“This.” He waves his hand around to encompass the event. “I own the construction company that is raising funds to build another wing for the hospital. Can’t say I do much of the building anymore; I’m more in the office, running everything now, but tonight’s a fundraiser for the project, so I thought I should rock up in a suit for once. What about you?”

I try to figure out how Will fits into all of this. It’s just a small local hospital; what could Will possibly have in common with this place?

“I have my own business as well. I design new concepts for businesses. I basically give them a rebrand and facelift.”

“Oh, nice. Maybe I can hire you.” He laughs. “It’d be nice to collaborate on something.”

“If you think you can afford me, sure,” I say back with a smile. Just then, I feel a hand slide around my waist, and then a kiss is laid on my shoulder.

“That depends on what services you’re offering,” Will interjects. “You were gone too long.” But I realize Will isn’t necessarily speaking to me because his gaze is fixed on Steven. And although Will has his dimpled smile on display, it doesn’t reach his eyes.

“Will, it’s been a while since you’ve been to one of these events,” Steven says, not entirely friendly. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here.”

Will’s mouth lifts from my neck as he looks at him. “I’ve been preoccupied. Work and things.”

“Well, my sister was quite disappointed when you never called her back.” I tense under Steven’s harsh tone. If memory serves correctly, his sister was two years older than Steven and me and pretty as well, from what I remember.

“I’m sure she’s moved on,” Will says casually.

Steven looks as if he’s going to say something to Will but doesn’t. Instead, his gaze locks on me before he says, “It was good seeing you again, Alina. I’ll reach out when I need your services.” He doesn’t so much as look at Will again before walking off. When he’s gone, Will takes his spot and casually leans against the bar.

“You know Steven Chamber?” he asks.

“Yes, we dated in high school for like two months or something. How do you know him, other than dating his sister?” I say, raising a brow.

He smirks. “I’ve informed you I don’t do relationships.”

“Oh, my apologies. Other than fucking her.” My face remains blank.

“Are you… jealous?” He leans in and goes to touch my lips, but I pull back before he can.

“The day I’m jealous over you will be the same day hell freezes over,” I hiss, crossing my arms over my chest. Suddenly, I’m not really in the drinking mood and I haven’t even taken a sip.

“Why are you really here? Like, really? You’ve told me you don’t do relationships, that you’ve been married and don’t plan on doing that again. So why are you here? Is my pussy that good that you can’t stay away?”

He smirks, that single dimple forming, as he says, “Oh, yes, you have a magical pussy; I’m not denying that.”

“So when you fuck other women, do you follow them all the way to their hometowns and put on a big display of sponsoring their local hospitals?” I place the wine glass on the bar. I’m not jealous. I’m just confused. Okay, maybe I’m a little jealous because of all these things he’s doing… I can’t make sense of them.

“Will.” He ignores the soft voice of the woman behind him.

“No, I don’t follow other women. But it’s not just because of your magical pussy I’m here,” he says matter-of-factly.

I roll my eyes, not buying it for a moment, as I turn my focus to the woman standing behind him, who is clearly after his attention. She’s waiting for him to turn around, but he doesn’t, as he’s too focused on me.

“Will,” she says again, and it’s not until I give him an expectant look for him to address her that he sighs, closes his eyes, and then turns to her.

“Cheryl, how are you?” he says, grabbing me by the waist as I try to escape for fresh air. I’m pinned against him and awkwardly smile at the show he’s making of us. She looks at me then, and that’s when I realize she’s Steven’s sister.

“My brother said you were here with a date, but I didn’t believe him. Not Will, who was adamant when he told me he only fucks and makes it very clear that’s all he does.” Her words are a slap in the face. “Do you know this about him, that he doesn’t date, only fucks?” she asks me.

She’s furious, and I don’t know why, but that irritates me. I don’t have anything to do with whatever happened between them, but I also don’t like the spectacle she’s trying to create. It’s a little bratty.

So I put on a bright smile and bite back, “I do. We have great sex. Nothing more, nothing less. There’s no dating or relationship, and that fits into my schedule perfectly.”

If he’s made it clear to her that’s all it was, why is she standing here angrily confronting me about it? Or was he doing all the same things to her to make her confused in the same way I am? Shit, are we not that different after all?

“So, you agree to his outrageous terms, where he only uses you for your body? He’ll just use you and spit you out like nothing.” She eyes me as if she’s making a powerful statement.

This woman is grating on me the wrong way.

“What makes you think it’s not me who wants his body, and perhaps I’m using him? And I do very much enjoy his body,” I say, sliding my hand across his chest.

Cheryl stares at me like she can’t believe what I’m saying.

You and me both, lady.

But I won’t stand here and let another person try to degrade me or question what I’m doing with my body and choice of man. If I were to follow him around like a lovesick puppy, a stranger telling me not to do so wouldn’t affect me.

She blinks a few times and then looks back at Will.

“It was good to see you, Cheryl,” he says, trying to end the conversation as he turns to me. “I need to make my donation and then we can leave.”

“I’ll wait here,” I tell him. He raises a brow and glances at Cheryl, who obviously isn’t done. But when he realizes I’m not changing my mind, he nods and walks off, not paying Cheryl any more attention.

“He’s easy to fall for, isn’t he?” she says, watching him go. And although I know he won’t be gone for long, I don’t understand why she hasn’t left yet. I’m not particularly curious about the situationship they had either.

“I wouldn’t know.” I shrug.

Her gaze swings back to me. “How long have you been seeing him? You know I’m not the only woman he’s slept with in this town. As soon as he’s fucked someone, poof, he’s gone.”

Interesting. So he’s most likely been here more than once. But why?

“Do you want to know how many times we’ve slept together?” I smile at her sweetly, not giving anything away. “I would say he’s made me come at least five times, or maybe I’m miscounting. Could be way more. And that’s just today,” I say casually. “What about you? Was he the best you had? Is that why you’re so hung up on him?”

Her mouth opens, then closes before it reopens, and she speaks.

“We had one night together.”

“One night. Wow. And you what? Feel like you had some right to interrupt us? Did he give you promises of a future I’m unaware of? Because if he did…” I step back. “Let me know, and I will gladly walk away.” When she remains silent, I know he didn’t. I couldn’t see him doing that anyway, so it’s just her who has false hope. I mean, I know how good in bed he is, but damn. Talk about cock whipped. Then again, aren’t I right now? “I’m not going to pretend I know Will all that well, but what I do know is he is very straight with what he wants and doesn’t want. Do you agree?”

“Yes,” she admits, and I know it was hard for her to say that.

“Okay, good. Now we have an understanding. I’m going to stand here, wait for my date to return after generously donating, then probably fuck him in the car on the way home. So unless you want to watch, is there anything else I can help you with?”

Her jaw hangs open, and she looks absolutely appalled, which is ironic considering the shit she was trying to stir only minutes ago.

“You weren’t like this in school,” she states.

“No, I guess I wasn’t. But I also cared too much what others thought of me back then.” I shrug. “Now I’m just in it for a good time. Which I know Will can give me.” Before she can say anything else, he returns, snaking his hand around my waist and not even paying Cheryl a lick of attention as he leans in.

“Ready?” he asks.

I nod and don’t look back at her as he guides me out of the function.