Page 34 of Black Jack (Advantage Play 5)

“So what? I’m not allowed to wear a revealing dress? Is that what you’re telling me?”

“What the hell are you talking about?” I groan. “I didn’t tell you that you can’t wear whatever the hell you want. You’re a grown ass woman. You could walk around naked, and I’d have no say in it.”

“Then why did you bring him up?”

“Because you brought up the waitress and her innocent flirting!” I yell.

This girl is so damn frustrating.

“It was hardly innocent,” she scoffs.

Pinching the bridge of my nose, I pray for patience then slam the car door and round the hood before climbing behind the wheel.

“I only brought up the host because I wanted to point out that we both had reason to be jealous tonight if we wanted to be,” I rasp.

“And were you?”

“Was I what?” I ask.

“Jealous.”

I exhale and turn on the ignition before placing my hand on the passenger side headrest. Twisting in my seat, I look behind me and back out of the parking spot, then shove the car into drive and head back to our apartment.

But I can feel her watching me. And no matter how hard she tries to hide it, I can feel her anxiety too. She wants to know the truth even though she’d never ask a second time. If she did, it would reveal her true desires, and she keeps those close to her chest.

Giving her the side-eye, I answer, “You’re gorgeous, Bianca. But I get the strong vibe that you hate me and would rather be anywhere than in my presence. So, yeah. Was I jealous that you basked in his attention but can’t seem to stand mine? Definitely. Does it stroke my ego that you noticed the waitress noticing me even though you don’t bother to show me yourself? Yeah. But would I ever do anything with her?” Her breath catches, but she keeps her gaze glued to the windshield like this conversation is only happening to pass the time and doesn’t hold any weight to it. But I can read her better than she assumes. And she’s just as invested in this discussion as I am.

Squeezing the steering wheel a little tighter, I continue. “I think that’s a question we both need to ask.”

“What do you mean?” she whispers, finally giving in.

“We’re getting married. But what do you want from this marriage?”

She licks her lips before folding her arms across her chest. “We’ve had this conversation before.”

“And yet you still haven’t answered me,” I reply.

“That’s because I don’t know what you want me to say.”

“I want you to tell me what you’re thinking, Bianca. What your expectations are. We’re in this together, remember?”

“No one ever cares about my expectations or wants to hear my thoughts on any matter,” she clarifies under her breath. I’m not sure if she’s talking to me or reminding herself that others don’t respect her opinion. Regardless, it kills me.

“I do,” I mutter, glancing toward her.

“If they align with yours.”

“Try me.”

“Fine.” She huffs. “I want you to keep your dick in your pants.”

“And will you keep other dicks out of yours?” I counter. She’s seconds from exploding in fury, but I refuse to walk on eggshells around her. Not if she thinks I’m okay with a double standard.

“Excuse me?” she screeches, shifting in her seat until she’s fully facing me in an attempt to deliver her wrath head-on.

I keep my tone calm and collected as my fingers tap against the steering wheel to a tune none of us can hear. Hopefully, she doesn’t see it for what it really is: a nervous tic.

“I want to know if you’re planning on cheating on me, Bianca.”