Free Lover's Road by E. L. Todd Page A

vibe from anyone.
    “Having a good time?” she asked as she sipped her champagne.
    “I always have a good time with you.”
    “Good response.”
    When she introduced me to everyone, she made it clear I was her boyfriend. And when she said it, she was affectionate with me, touching me everywhere. It was pretty clear she was head-over-heels in love with me. And I liked that.
    “Janice!” A smile that show ed perfect teeth stretched across the face of a man I immediately disliked. A perfect complexion with a strong jaw, he immediately opened his arms and beckoned her into his embrace.
    “Hey, Cal.” Janice moved into his embrace and hugged him. She didn’t hug any of her other peers, just him.
    And that set my teeth on edge.
    His hands moved around her waist, dangerously close to her ass. “You look amazing.” He eyed her up and down. “Maybe you should move to a fashion company and start modeling.”
    This guy was about to get his head ripped off.
    She rolled her eyes. “Stop.”
    “I meant it.”
    I’m going to kill him. I’m going to fucking kill him.
    “Everything looks so nice,” Janice said excitedly. “Your assistant did a wonderful job.”
    He smiled. “She’s superwoman.”
    They carried on a conversation, laughing and having a good time. I was totally ignored.
    I cleared my throat. “Forgetting something?”
    “Oh.” Janice turned to me, clearly flustered. “Sorry. Cal, this is Ryan.”
    Are you fucking kidding me right now? “Ryan? I’m just Ryan?” I tried not to sound angry but I couldn’t help it.
    She glared at me. “Knock it off,” she said under her breath.
    Cal eyed us before he extended his hand. “You’re the boyfriend she won’t shut up about. Your name was enough.”
    Janice gave me a triumphant look.
    I was still pissed.
    His hand still hung in the air, waiting for me to grip it.
    Janice squeezed my arm, threatening me to take it. She squeezed harder when I didn’t move.
    I finally took it, swallowing my pride.
    He nodded then dropped his hand. “Having a good time?”
    Before you came along.
    “Yes,” Janice said with certainty. “It’s lovely.”
    Cal put his hands in his pocket s and gave Janice all the attention. I hated the way he looked at her. I saw the need in his eyes. Maybe I was imagining it, but I knew he was thinking about taking her on his desk. I saw the image in his mind.
    He was the same height as me, and rocking muscle like he headed to the gym seven days a week. I was lean and limber, having the right amount of muscle in the right places, but I wasn’t a meathead like him. And I didn’t like that.
    Why did her boss have to be a fucking Calvin Klein model?
    “I had lunch at Rosario’s today,” he said, eyeing her exclusively. “They gave me a slice of that cake, on the house.”
    She laughed. “After it had a bug in it last time? Wow, they really want our business.”
    Our? Sh e was having lunch with him too? Fuck. I was so close to blowing my lid. The steam was filling my lungs and my eyes. I couldn’t take this bullshit much longer.
    “It’s probably because I tip well.” He shrugged.
    “You always tip well.”
    I tip well!
    He placed his hand on her hip then looked over her shoulder. “I need to mingle a little more, but let’s meet up later.”
    “Will do.”
    He winked at her.
    Did he just fucking wink at my girl?
    He walked away then joined a small crowd of people. With his charming wit, he entertained the throng, and laughter reached our ears.
    Janice turned back to me, and her smile disappeared when she saw the enraged look on my face. “Cut it out,” she whispered.
    “Cut it out?” I snapped. “Are you fucking him?”
    Her jaw dropped and her eyes glowed in embers. “Excuse me?”
    “Answer me.”
    She shook with anger. “Fuck you, Ryan.”
    “Fuck me? Or do you mean him?” I don’t think I’ve ever been this angry. “Have you no respect for me? You were flirting with him right in front of me, and he clearly has a