20 Questions

Chapter 98

I grab my towel from the floor and wrap it around my body with record speed. I'm pissed off and exposed and honestly, I'm a little scared. Here I am in a skimpy bikini, shaking my ass and making the terrible assumption that I was dancing for the man that I intend to marry in a little over a week. I had no idea that my audience was the one man that makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up. My chest, neck and face flush and the only thing I can think about it is how the hell I am going to escape from this horrific predicament I'm in.

"Tyler! What the fuck are you doing?" I spit, pulling my towel tight to my body.

"Relax, I was just messing around. You act like I was going to rip off your bathing suit or something. Unless that's something that you're interested in because that can be arranged," he says, his eyes raking up and down my body.

No more Mr. Nice Guy. Obviously, being blunt is the path I'm gonna have to choose to shut this down.

"Nothing about that was just messing around. And in case you forgot, I am marrying your brother, which means what you just did and the comments you made this morning were completely out of line."

"Out of line?" he snorts. "I don't want a relationship with you. I was just having a little fun."

"Well, it's not fun for me so stay in your lane," I scold him.

I turn back around to finish making my drink, praying that he gets the hint and leaves me alone. I don't like having my back to him, but I want to get this margarita made as soon as possible and get back outside where there's other people around. I do not like being alone with this man, the man that constantly has me on edge and makes my skin crawl. Unfortunately for me, he didn't pick up on my not-so-subtle demand.

His hands squeeze my hips as he whispers in my ear, "I'd like to be in your lane right now. Vroom Vroom." His breath, thick with alcohol and a hint of cinnamon, blows on my face and makes every muscle in my body tense up.

That's it, I've had enough. I shove his hands off my hips and spin around, damn near colliding with him. My hands meet his chest and I shove him backwards with all my might. I rev back, put my finger right in his face and let him have it.

"I've asked you nicely to cut it out, but you can't get it through that hard fucking head of yours. So, let me make myself clear. I am not interested in you; I am in love with Hunter. You have three options here, bud. One, you keep your hands to yourself and we can get along fine. Two, you can stay in a hotel until the wedding and then I never want your ass back here again. Or three, you can put your hands on me one more time and I will tell Hunter what you just did. You will be lucky if you make it out of the state of Kentucky without getting your head bashed in. I don't want to get him involved because it would upset him and getting upset over you isn't worth anyone's time. So, I suggest you pick option one or two. What's it going to be?" I cross my arms over my chest and glare back at him with every bit of hostility I've acquired since his arrival.

"Chill out. You're a feisty one. I can see why Hunter is so pussy whipped over you. Such a challenge."

Something about the way he refers to me as a challenge chills me to the bone. That and the way he runs his tongue over his lips after he says it. I can't put my finger on it, but something doesn't feel right. He's playing some sick, perverted game and I do not want to be an active participant. Hopefully, I have made myself clear once and for all. I meant what I said, everything I said. I don't want to involve Hunter in this if it can be prevented. It is still his brother, even if he is a useless piece of womanizing garbage. I don't need Hunter to fight my battles for me. I will take care of this on my own and hopefully it is smooth sailing until the wedding. After that, I never want to see his face again.