Gentlemen Prefer Curves: A Perfect Fit Novel by Sugar Jamison Page B

moment, not expecting that from him. “You forgot to give her money, Carter. She was sitting by herself on her field trip while the kids around her were laughing and eating snacks. You may not remember being a five-year-old but it sucks to be the only kid without.”
    He stepped closer to her. “She doesn’t go without. I give her what she needs. I don’t need you interfering in her life.”
    “It’s ten fucking dollars,” she snapped, feeling her temper rise dangerously. “I didn’t do anything wrong.”
    “It’s not just the ten dollars. It’s the sweater you bought her. It’s that you told her what I should allow her to wear. I don’t need you critiquing my parenting. I don’t need you anywhere near my child. I don’t want you to talk to her.”
    She laughed bitterly, not allowing the hurt to clog her chest. “You’re just like them. You don’t think I’m good enough to be around your kid. Just like I wasn’t good enough for you.”
    “That’s not true, damn it. I married you. I wanted you. I never thought you weren’t good enough.”
    “Then why are you here, Carter? Why are you in my house demanding that I stay away from your kid? I’m not trying to corrupt her. All I—”
    “You left me because you didn’t want her.”
    “What?”
    “You walked out on me—on our marriage—because you didn’t want to be around my child. Because you were too selfish to even try to love her.”
    She hadn’t realized that she had raised her hand to hit him until she heard the crack of her hand across his cheek. His comment was so cruel it took her breath away. She would have loved Ruby, because she loved him. But he didn’t love her. If he did, he would have told her the truth. He would have noticed how his family and friends treated her. He would have realized how unhappy she was all along. “Is that what you think of me? You think I left because of Ruby? She was just a baby. She was the only innocent one in this. I left because you never told me about your first wife. I left because I realized I was married to a stranger who I was never going to be good enough for.”
    “Is that when you took my parents’ money? Was that a good enough excuse to take it? Did it soothe your conscience? ‘My husband left out one detail about his life. That’s the perfect reason to take half a million dollars and run’.”
    “You asshole.” She went after him with both fists but he caught her this time. “I didn’t take their money. I wouldn’t take their money. I loved you. I love you.” She struggled against his tight hold, but he just pulled her closer. “Get out of my house, Carter. Get out. I hate you.”
    “No,” he barked at her. “No.” He slammed his mouth on hers. It shocked her because it was nothing like their last kiss. This kiss was too hard. Too angry. Too consuming and she fought it. She fought him. Because when he kissed her it made her forget herself. It had the power to make her forget that their marriage had only really ever been about this. About kissing and touching and their extreme attraction for each other. It had been just about sex. For him at least. She was the stupid one. She’s the one who didn’t have sense enough not to fall in love.
    He lifted his lips for a moment only to look into her eyes. She thought she almost saw regret cross his face for a moment, but it passed quickly and then his lips were on hers again. She bit down on his lower lip hard. He winced, lifted his head again, but he didn’t move away. Instead he dug his fingers into her hips and pulled her closer. He was hard. She was surprised to find his erection prodding in between her legs and even more surprised at her reaction to it. Her nipples tightened painfully as the rest of her became aware. Every inch of her body was pressed against his. There was no space between them, no way she could escape him.
    “Don’t do it again,” he warned. She had never heard his voice so raw. It scared her. It sent shivers