Crossing Paths

Chapter 15: Guard Dog

Copyright 2014 © Rosesareforever

Crossing Paths

Chapter 15

'Guard Dog'

Arms filled with a bunch of shopping bags and a huge smile across her lips, Jade walked side by side with Stephanie through the mall. They’d decided to take a day off from work and hold a girls-only day, just the two of them. It had been too long since they hung out together beside the quick stop-by’s and coffee dates. They both were in desperate need of some girl time.

“Let me get this straight,” Stephanie said, sounding disbelieving, “you actually let Sedric talk you into going to a family dinner together and followed through?” she repeated, giving Jade a disapproving look. “Damn, girl. That was so not a good move on your part.”

“It was just dinner, Steph,” Jade argued. Nothing wrong with having dinner with your ex’s family, right?

“No, darling, it proved that Sedric still controls you. No matter what that guy does, no matter how many times he breaks your fragile heart of gold, you’re still doing everything in your power to hold on to him. Let him go. He doesn’t deserve you,” Stephanie insisted, shaking her head.

Jade snorted, rolling her eyes at her friend. Sedric no longer controlled her. He lost that power a long time ago. “Don’t you dare to argue, Jade. We both know it’s the truth,” Stephanie pointed out, looking stern. “You can lie to yourself all you want. It won’t change the fact that you still let that bastard walk all over you.”

“That’s total bullshit, Steph. If I’d let Sedric walk all over me, I wouldn’t be here with you today. Instead I’d be lying in bed, probably still naked, with Sedric’s talented tongue on my flesh,” Jade crudely declared.

“Keep telling yourself that, honey. If he truly held no power over you whatsoever, you wouldn’t have gone to that family dinner with him, let alone sleep with the jerk.”

Jade decided to ignore her friend and quickened her pace a little, her eyes focused on the windows of the shops as she strolled through the city. Part of her knew Stephanie wasn’t completely wrong. As long as she had such strong feelings for her ex-boyfriend, he’d always hold a power over her. She had never gone to such great lengths as she had for Sedric.

She might hate how she felt about him, but there was no denying that Sedric would always hold a special place in her heart. He was her first lover, the first guy she ever fell in love with, and frankly the only guy she had ever loved. Sure she’d had plenty of sex throughout the years, but only one man ever earned a piece of her heart.

“Well, well, well, who do we have here?” a deep voice chuckled humorlessly from behind her. Turning around, Jade groaned loudly as she came face to face with David Thompson. Just her luck that bastard needed to be in the same place at the same time as her. She’d never forget that hateful look in his eyes when they first met. It was safe to say she disliked the man with a passion.

“I’d say it’s nice to see you again, David, but we both know I’d be lying,” Jade stated, a fake smile plastered across her features. She wasn’t going to let that bastard get to her.

“Still a bitch I see,” David smirked. “What is it they say? What's bred in the bone will come out in the flesh.”

“Who the hell is this jerk?” Stephanie suddenly interrupted, her chin held high and a hand on her waist. Fire radiated from her eyes. If looks could kill, David would be six feet under right now.

“Someone who could easily melt your panties and make you squirm in pleasure,” David cheekily replied as he eyed Stephanie up and down in approval. “It’s nice to meet you, sweetheart,” the bastard grinned, taking hold of Stephanie’s hand and pressing a soft kiss against her skin before she had the time to realize what was going on.