Free Breaking Free (Siren Publishing Classic) by Grae McTavish

the source.” He openly let his gaze rake down her, taking in the tight T-shirt, ripped jeans, leather boots, helmet, and jacket. She wasn’t sure how a single look could be both lustful and reproachful at the same time. “Really, Danika, people are talking. They‘re saying you’re keeping the company of a rough crowd. And look at you. What are you thinking wearing such scandalous clothing at work? Your reputation will surely be in tatters if you continue this irresponsible behavior.”
    Danny tried to breathe , but she’d never felt so angry in her entire life. Walking in on him with his little slut was nothing compared to what she was feeling now.
    “How dare you, you hypocritical bastard,” she gasped. “You have no say over what I wear or who I’m seen with. I do my job, and I do it well. You, on the other hand run your classes like an enterprise. You award grades to the students who please you and the pleasing has absolutely nothing to do with the grades. No, no, Wesley, don’t act so pure and good, because the rumors going around about you are far worse. If I’m foolish, it’s because I didn’t realize what an ass you were for so long.”
    Pushing him aside, she marched past, head held high, feeling better than she had in years, but that feeling was short lived, as he had other ideas.
    Catching her trailing hair, he clung to her. “No wait, Danika, you’re right, I don’t deserve you, but I adore you! Please say you’ll give me a second chance.”
    Danny turned to him in shock. Did he honestly think she’d forgive him? And really how could she go back to a spineless weasel like this after having been with a real man like Gabe? “It’s over, Wesley. Let go of my hair.” She’d never realized just how pathetic he was.
    “No, it can’t be over,” he wailed, disbelieving. Desperately, he grabbed her shoulders, dragging her into an awkward embrace. “Just let me kiss you, and it’ll be okay,” he cried as his lips descended in a sloppy, open mouth kiss.
    Bile rose in Danny’s throat at his touch, and she started to raise her knee to kick him, but a deep throaty cough from the doorway drew their attention.
    Turning, Danny saw, to her horror, Gabe standing stone still , his large frame filling the doorway.
    “You want to back off from Danny?” Gabe snarled, taking a menacing step toward them.
    Wesley lifted an imperious brow. “I realize that Danny has been slumming a bit lately, but you don’t really think she will choose you over me? Why you’re nothing but an unwashed thug. You might be entertaining, but that’s all. She was just sowing some wild oats. She was merely paying me back for my little infidelity, but now we’ve decided to forgive.”
    “No!” Danny tried to protest.
    “Now dear, there is no reason to hide it. He can’t have possibly thought you were serious. Think what it would do to your career to be seen with the likes of him.”
    Surely Gabe wouldn’t think she wanted Wesley’s attention, but the look on his face said it all. Doubt filled his gaze, and then his lip curled into a sneer of disgust. She remembered the story he’d told her of his ex’s betrayal. This must seem like a horrible replay to him. His harsh words confirmed her worst fears. “So sorry to interrupt, but I thought you needed a ride home Danny. Guess I was mistaken.”
    “No wait,” she cried, but he was already turning, disappearing down the hall.
    As if sensing Gabe’s pull on her, Wesley latched onto her like a leach, anchoring her as she tried to chase after Gabe’s retreating form.
    Spinning in frustrated anger, Danny turned on Wesley. “Let go of me now!” she demanded, her voice vibrating in a deep, menacing warning that he was too foolish to heed. Digging his stubby fingers into her arms, he tried in vain to pull her back into his embrace.
    She saw red, and it was as if all the rage and all the hurt of his betrayal and all the years she’d wasted came rushing back. With all the fury