Page 21 of Liberty

“Belle!”

Yeah, I heard him calling me, but I refused to engage.

“Come on,” he said. “I didn't mean it like that.”

Nope. I was done letting this guy insult me. I kept walking.

Next thing I knew, Liberty stood in front of me and I bounced right off of his hard form. “What the hell?’ I exclaimed.

Catching me by the arm, he said, “Will you slow down for a second?”

I shook my head. “I don’t have time for your BS.”

“God damnit, why am I always apologizing to you?” he asked.

“Because you keep opening your big mouth to insult me,” I snapped. “Now let go of me.” I yanked my arm from his grasp.

“That wasn’t an insult, Belle.”

I scoffed. “Oh, really? If you wanted me naked I would be already? So that was some sort of compliment?”

“I admit. That sounded bad. It came out wrong.”

“It came out as arrogant and conceited,” I argued.

“Yeah maybe,” he said. “So I’m sorry I said it. Even though with most girls I’ve met, it is true.”

I rolled my eyes. “Wow. You are pretty goddamned conceited aren’t you?”

He chuckled. “I guess in many ways I am. It just happens that what I said is true. I’ve never lacked for female company. And yes, if I wanted it, naked female company.”

I slowly shook my head. “Well, bully for you and your bimbo blondes but just remember one thing.”

He stared at me. “What?”

“I am notmostgirls. I don’t think you are irresistible, I don’t care about your trophies or fight record. Or your money and not even your looks. So therefore, I will not be dropping my panties for you now or anytime soon.”

He stared at me then leaned his head back to laugh.

I growled and stepped around him.

“Come on, you have to admit that was funny. Dropping your panties.”

I kept rushing through the main room. The man was racking up points toward getting slapped.

“Dang, can you just wait a second here?” Liberty called to me again.

I did stop then flipped around and glared at him. “Wait for what? For you to grow the fuck up? For you to change from a conceited asshole into a regular guy? Well sorry, I don’t have that kind of time since apparently, you have the emotional maturity of a teenage boy.”

“I have been trying with you but you are a temperamental, high strung babe, Belle. You cannot seem to take a joke. You flyoff the handle and judge me in an instant. I am trying to meet you halfway and all you do is yell and run away.”

“So, you are saying this latest crap you said is my fault?” I braced my hands onto my hips.

He shook his head. “No, Fate set me off and I was mad at him, not you. Damnit, if you and I cannot find some way to get along, this whole idea of you going home will not be pleasant.”

“Liberty,” I replied. “I haven’t had a pleasant minute with you since the day we met. For now, just leave me the hell alone.”

Chapter Seven:Rules Of Engagement